Bus accidents in Newnan may be less common than other accidents, but they are no less serious. When a bus crashes, it can affect many people on board and leave victims with various injuries and other damages. If you were injured in a bus accident, you have the legal right to seek financial recovery for your losses from the person or party responsible. One of the best ways to do this is by contacting a Newnan bus accident lawyer.
With more than two decades of experience, our bus accident attorneys know how to help bus accident victims file a claim for their damages. We know the aftermath of an accident can be scary and overwhelming, and we want to make the process for you and your family as painless as possible. Whether you were in a bus accident yourself or had a loved one, such as a child, get hurt in the accident, we are ready to help. For a FREE consultation to discuss your situation and your options, call us today at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form on this page to get started.
What Kinds of Vehicles Count as Buses Under Georgia Law?
“Bus” is a term that can describe several different types of vehicles. In general, a bus is a vehicle designed to transport a large number of people (and/or other cargo) from one place to another.
Here are the most common types of buses involved in accidents we handle.
School Bus Accidents
Many kids travel to and from school on a school bus, and most students have ridden on buses for school-related trips. As a parent of a child who rides a school bus, you’re trusting that the driver and the school system will get your kid from point A to point B safely. But even under the best of intentions, school bus accidents can still sometimes occur. If your child was injured during a school bus accident, you have a legal right to compensation under Georgia law.
Public Transit Bus Accidents
Many adults utilize public transportation like city buses every day to get to work and other destinations. Public transit is a wonderful resource for traveling in an inexpensive, convenient, and even eco-friendly way. However, issues can sometimes arise if equipment gets worn down, is not maintained properly, or if a driver is negligent on the job.
Private and Charter Bus Accidents
These types of buses are often used for transporting people during private parties, tours, and other vacation-type activities. While these are fun, they are not exempt from possible accidents that can leave travelers with injuries.
Freight Bus Accidents
Freight buses like 18-wheelers and semi-trucks are most likely to carry cargo instead of people—but that doesn’t mean they can’t lead to injuries. Freight buses with too much cargo, a lack of maintenance, or other issues that lead to collisions with other drivers on Newnan roads or injuries to any people on board.
What are the Most Common Causes of Bus Accidents?
Bus accidents don’t typically happen as often as car accidents and other collisions on Newnan roads, but that doesn’t mean they don’t still occur. And when they do happen, the injuries and damage that result can be extreme. Here are some unique concerns and challenges that can lead to bus accidents.
Safety Hazards
Most buses are bigger than other vehicles, and semi-trucks and 18-wheelers are enormous. The sheer size and weight of these vehicles make them harder to break and maneuver, which increases the risk of accidents and rollovers. Drivers should follow the proper procedures to avoid certain safety hazards exclusive to buses, but there’s no guarantee this will always happen.
Buses also don’t usually have the same safety features like airbags and seatbelts for every passenger, which can make the consequences of collisions are extreme.
Improper Hiring of Drivers
Many buses fall must follow stricter laws or rules that other passenger vehicles. For example, there are special qualifications school bus drivers must have in order to operate their vehicles and protect the safety of kids on board. Sometimes, school districts or busing companies will not properly train or vet their drivers, which can result in bus accidents.
Entering and Exiting Risks
There are more risks of getting on and off buses because of their height. Bus drivers should also make sure they pull over and park in locations that are safe for passengers to enter and exit the bus. If proper procedures aren’t followed, it can more easily lead to slip and fall accidents or other injuries to children and adults alike.
Buses Travel in High-traffic Areas
Besides the possible safety issues listed above, buses are more likely to travel on roads and at times of day when traffic is heavy. This may increase the chance of accidents with other vehicles or pedestrians on Newnan roads.
More People Involved
Because buses transport multiple people at one time, the stakes are higher. More than just the bus driver is prone to get harmed. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your rights are upheld if you are injured on a bus or the victim or a bus accident in any way. More people means there are more individual stories (accurate or not) about what happened and who is to blame.
To protect yourself, contact a bus accident lawyer as soon as you can. They’ll help you investigate the situation so your voice is heard and your damages are accounted for.
The Bus Company’s Insurance Is Already Offering Me Money. Should I Take It?
Never take the first offer. Remember insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and they will look for ways to cut costs in any insurance claim. Offering you money soon after the accident is a common tactic, and it has one goal: to get you to accept less than you deserve.
Before you accept any money, sign anything, or give any type of statement to the at-fault party’s insurance company, consult with a Newnan bus accident lawyer. They’ll listen to your situation and help you build a strong claim that accounts for all of your damages.
Talk to a Newnan Bus Accident Lawyer for Free Today
Our bus accident attorneys always start with a free consultation—and we don’t get paid unless we win you money. With more than 20 years of experience, we know what it takes to pursue the fullest financial recovery after your bus accident. That means fighting for your rights to compensation that covers all costs you face from the accident. To get started with your free consultation today, call us at (404) 341-6555, or fill out the form on this page.
