Bus accidents can wreak so much havoc on a person’s life. Victims have to deal with injuries, medical bills, uncooperative insurance companies, and the emotional aftermath of an accident. If you’ve been injured by a bus accident in Marietta, Georgia, don’t go through this alone. Let us help you.
Our Marietta bus accident lawyers have over twenty years of experience getting results for victims just like you. We know every aspect of bus accident law—and we we understand the tricks insurance companies try to play to keep you from getting the money you deserve. Let us give you a FREE consultation and help you get results. Fill out the form to the right or call us at (404) 341-6555 to get your free consultation today.
How much money can I recover in a bus accident in Marietta?
The amount of money you can recover depends on your injuries and what exactly happened. Bus accidents have the potential to cause severe property damage and inflict serious injuries on victims. As a general rule, if you were not at fault for the accident, you can recover 100% of all you costs, as well as additional money for any suffering or personal losses. This can include:
- The medical costs associated with your injuries
- Lost wages if you had to miss work
- Compensation for lost earning potential if an injury prevents you from returning to work
- The cost of damages to any property of yours (such as your car, if you were driving another vehicle involved in a bus accident)
- Money for “pain and suffering” or any serious effects you suffered because of the accident
The only way to be certain how much money you’re entitled to is to sit down with a legal professional and discuss your case. Many bus accidents will pay out very high settlements, because of the severity of the injuries that can be involved. It’s not uncommon to see awards of $100,000 or more—but it depends heavily on what happened.
What if my child was involved in a school bus accident?
Getting a phone call that your child has been in a school bus accident is one of the worse calls a parent can get. And the hours and days afterward can be a very emotional time. However, this is also the time when it’s most important to be your own advocate and protect your rights.
Steps you can take to do that include:
- Get specific about circumstances: When building a bus accident case, every detail matters. Unfortunately, children may not be as adept as noticing and remembering details. In fact, children may not know which details are important. And there are usually no adult witnesses to help fill in the blanks. This is why it’s important to sit down with your child and write down everything they remember. Be as specific as possible; write down names, dates, times, locations, even what seat the child was sitting in when the accident occurred. Be sure to let your child know that you’re getting this information to protect them, and that they are not in trouble! Write down everything and let a lawyer decide if a detail is significant or not.
- Record injuries and progress with recovery: If your child sustained injuries in the accident, be sure to keep a journal of all the injuries and symptoms. Note when you went to doctor appointments and what you were told. Periodically photograph your child’s injuries for an accurate record of their injuries and recovery. These pictures may come in handy should your case come to trial. Courts can take months or longer to start proceedings, and much of the visual evidence may be gone by that time.
- File a claim with your insurance company: If your child’s injury was directly caused by the bus accident, you should call a bus accident lawyer immediately. There may be a short widow in which you can file a claim with your insurance company, and there may be multiple parties to deal with.
I was crossing the street and got hit by a bus. Do I have a case?
Being hit by a bus can be a life-changing experience. Unfortunately, both the bus company and their insurer are likely to look for ways to put the fault on you—even if you are the victim. You need to work from the start to assert your rights and build a case if you have one.
In Marietta and statewide, it’s possible for either the pedestrian or the bus driver to be considered at fault, and that will determine whether you have a valid claim. Questions that can help determine who is at fault include:
- Was the bus driver negligent? If the bus driver was driving negligently, such as running a stop sign or speeding through a red light, then they would be at fault. Lawyers and claim investigators will talk to witnesses, examine evidence at the scene, and look at cameras to gather evidence that the bus driver was negligent in some way.
- Were you following the rules of the road? We understand that when people are walking city streets, life is going on all around them. You may be thinking about your kids, worrying over bills, stressing about work, or any number of things. When you’re not paying 100% attention, it’s easy to not make the safest decisions when walking. Walking against a traffic signal, jay walking, walking along a highway, or walking while intoxicated might mean you are considered at least partly at fault. However, you may still have a case—and be able to recover money.
- Did the bus driver have time to react? Even if you were crossing where you shouldn’t, bus drivers need to be alert, and yield to pedestrians where possible. If you were clearly visible and the bus hit you anyway, it increases the chances that the bus driver is at fault.
No matter what: don’t blame yourself. Always take the time to call a lawyer. A good bus accident lawyer will go over all the details of your case and help you determine your best legal options.
Talk to a Marietta Bus Accident Lawyer for Free
A bus accident can be devastating. Our lawyers can help. Let us give you a FREE consultation to get you answers and help you make smart choices about your case. We charge nothing if we don’t get money for you. Fill out the form to the right or call us at (404) 341-6555 for your free consultation today.
