We put a lot of trust in bus drivers. Every day, people in Norcross expect bus drivers to carry us safely to our destination with little to no hiccups along the way. We want them to drive carefully and within the confines of the rules of the road. We also require the bus to be well maintained and in good working order when you or a loved one is inside of the vehicle. All of these expectations are actually built right into Georgia law, and when any of them are violated, it may lead to legal liability. If you, your child or your loved one are victims of a bus accident, take the time to talk to a Norcross bus accident lawyer.
Our attorneys know firsthand what bus accident victims go through. We have extensive experience dealing with bus accident claims, and we know the regulations make these claims so complex. If you have been injured while on a bus or even while outside of a bus, you need to speak with a lawyer. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
What should I do if I’m injured on a bus? What if my child is harmed?
The first thing you should do in either of these situations is ensure that the bus driver, busing company, or the school knows about the injury. The driver should report the accident to the police in most bus accidents, but individuals can be injured on a bus even when there is no collision as well. Regardless of the cause of your injury, you need to tell the driver about it. Of course, talking to the driver or bus company can wait if you need to get emergency medical care. Always address your immediate medical needs first.
You can then begin to gather information about the accident. If it was a collision, you might want to get the other driver’s information. You should also gather witness information as well. Chances are that you were not the only person on the bus—and you were likely not the only one injured either. Sometimes paring up with other bus riders can be an effective legal strategy.
Keep notes about who you spoke to and get their contact information. You should also jot down what you recall about the accident, including the date, time, and weather conditions. Write down everything you can remember—you may not be able to recall this detailed information at a later time.
If your child was injured on the bus, be sure to get as much information as you can from your child. Then, talk to the driver about what happened. Other children might be useful resources, but if your child is young, you might not be able to rely on the word of the children involved. Some school buses will also use extra supervisors who are not drivers. It might be a good idea to find out who this person is and talk to them about what happened.
Keep in mind that if your child was injured on a school bus and it wasn’t due to a collision, you may still have legal options.
How long do I have to bring a bus accident claim?
As in most personal injury accidents in Georgia, you will have two years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit. While two years may seem like a long time, it will go by quickly. Keep in mind that you need to do some initial investigation before you can sue, and gathering that type of information takes time. You may also be able to negotiate with the bus driver, bus company, or insurance company without filing a lawsuit as well. You want to give your lawyer plenty of time to do this type of work on your behalf before the lawsuit deadline.
If your claim involves the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) or another government entity, the time you have to sue is significantly shorter. You must also follow strict guidelines regarding notice as well. Some of these faster deadlines may apply to school buses, too. It’s very important that you don’t delay in contacting a lawyer in these types of accidents.
Can the bus driver be legally responsible if there wasn’t a collision?
Yes. You can be harmed on a bus by more than just collisions. You might have a legal claim any time that a bus driver causes you harm while on a bus.
Consider an example. Imagine that your bus driver is texting while driving. He looks up from his phone just in time to see that the car in front of him has stopped suddenly. He slams on the brakes and avoids the accident. Meanwhile, you were sitting in your seat with your head against the window. The force of the stop caused your head to move forward suddenly, and you slammed your head against the seat in front of you. The hard blow to your head resulted in a concussion. In that situation, although the bus driver avoided the collision, he still caused your injury because he wasn’t paying attention to the road in front of him.
Other examples of this type of incident include:
- The bus begins moving before everyone is properly seated
- The bus is parked too far from the curb, which causes passengers to trip as they get off the bus
- The driver takes a turn too fast or too sharply, throwing passengers on the other side of the bus
Be sure to talk to a bus accident lawyer in any of these situations to get a feel for your legal options.
Talk to a Bus Accident Lawyer in Norcross for Free
Our lawyers understand how confusing being injured while on a bus can be. Insurance companies may be calling you, and your hospital may be giving you a hard time as you deal with medical expenses. Our lawyers can step in to address these issues. We can connect you with some of the top bus accident lawyers in the state to get the legal process started. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
