Many people in McDonough ride a bus every day—to school, to work, and countless other destinations. In every situation, bus passengers are trusting their safety to the driver of the vehicle. While buses are often some of the safest modes of transportation, accidents (and injuries) still happen—and that’s where a McDonough bus accident lawyer can help.
There are a number of reasons bus accidents can happen, and when they do, the victims deserve compensation for what they’ve lost. Our bus accident lawyers are committed to helping you get the money you need to recover your costs. WE have been helping bus accident victims throughout Georgia win their cases for over 20 years.
To discuss your case for FREE with the best lawyer for your situation, call us at (404) 341-6555 or contact us online now. Don’t miss out on your FREE consultation and case evaluation.
Top Causes of Bus Accidents in McDonough
To have a valid bus accident claim, someone must have been at fault in the crash. In Georgia, the at-fault party is responsible for the damages resulting from their negligence. Someone does not have to necessarily mean to cause harm to be negligent in an accident. They simply must have had a duty of care to others and breached that duty.
Here are some of the main reasons bus accidents can happen due to the negligence of someone else.
Bus Driver Error
No person is infallible when driving on McDonough roads—and that includes bus drivers. Bus drivers may make a mistake that leads to an accident. They could be:
- Driving while distracted
- Not following traffic laws correctly (such as running a red light or speeding)
- Making a less-than-ideal decision that leads to a crash
- Not seeing another vehicle in their blind spot as they make a left turn
In rare situations, bus accidents can be caused by driving while intoxicated. This is less likely than other motorists because bus drivers are held to such high standards, but it’s still possible.
No matter what error the bus driver makes, if they are negligent, many lives are in danger and the driver should be held responsible.
Technical or Maintenance Errors
Sometimes, bus accidents happen because a bus part malfunctions or the vehicle has not been maintained properly. In this case, fault will depend on who was responsible for making sure these things were working. That could be the bus driver who did not keep up with maintenance schedules, the bus part manufacturer, or a maintenance company.
Your lawyer will help you get to the bottom of a bus accident cause like this. A thorough investigation will be necessary.
Bus Company Negligence
There are many laws in place to keep buses safe. However, sometimes a bus company might fail to uphold certain regulations or cut corners to reduce costs. If they do this and an accident results, the bus company may be at fault.
Other Drivers Involved in the Accident
Besides bus driver error, another common cause of bus accidents is other drivers. Sometimes the bus driver was doing everything to drive safely, but another motorist on McDonough roads was negligent and caused a collision.
For example, the driver of any vehicle must stop before “meeting or overtaking from either direction” a stopped school bus with certain visual signals (Georgia Code § 40-6-163). If the driver fails to do this, anyone on, entering, or exiting the bus could get injured.
When another driver causes a bus accident, that driver (and their insurance company) would likely be responsible for damages to the bus driver and passengers.
School District Hiring Issues
School districts that hire bus drivers must go through extensive screening, interviewing, and training for every driver they hire. If a bus driver is negligent and causes a crash, the school district could be responsible.
No matter what caused your accident, if you were not at fault for what happened, you are probably entitled to damages. Contact an experienced bus accident lawyer as soon as possible to understand your full legal rights and seek the compensation you deserve.
What You Need to Recover Damages After a McDonough Bus Accident
To actually seek damages from a bus accident, you will need to demonstrate that:
- The at-fault party had a legal duty of care
- They breached that duty of care
- The bus accident resulted from their breached duty
- The at-fault party’s negligence and the accident directly caused your damages
When a bus accident happens, there are typically multiple people affected. Bus passengers, the driver, and other motorists or passengers may get injured. There can be a lot of moving parts, and it might be hard to determine who was at fault. Thankfully, a McDonough bus accident lawyer can help you through every step of the process.
With the help of a lawyer, you will need to compile evidence of the accident and your damages. Here are some ways you can do that—beginning just moments after the collision happens.
Reporting the Accident
Any accident with injuries and/or more than $500 in property damage should be reported to the police. The bus driver should do this, but if they refuse or are unconscious, you can make the call. Police will respond to the scene and make a report of what happened.
The police report is very important because it creates the first piece of official evidence documenting the accident.
Taking Pictures
You can also document the scene by taking pictures of the accident location, your injuries, and any property damage. This preserves the scene even if it is quickly cleaned up.
Talking to Witnesses
If other people saw the accident happen, talk to them and ask what they saw. Collect their names and contact information. Your lawyer will likely reach out to them later for statements about what they saw. Witness testimony can be very helpful in any personal injury case.
Keeping Track of Expenses
It’s best to keep a folder of all medical bills, receipts, and other expenses you face because of the accident. Also, keep track of all the work-time you miss because of the accident and your injuries. If the crash has greatly impacted you emotionally, you might write down has it has affected you.
Clearly documenting what you’ve lost from the collision can help your claim. You should also see a doctor as soon as possible to document your injuries and the treatments you will need. If you wait too long to get treatment, the insurance company that takes your claim may use it to say you weren’t hurt as badly as you say.
Talk to a McDonough Bus Accident Lawyer for Free Today
One of the best steps you can take after a bus accident is contacting an experienced and trusted injury lawyer in your area. Our attorneys have more than 20 years of experience working on bus accident cases. We are dedicated to getting you the fullest compensation possible for your damages.
Contact us today and we’ll give you a FREE consultation and case evaluation—risk-free. If you decide to work with us, there is no fee unless we win your case. Call (404) 341-6555 or contact us online today for your FREE consultation.