As Peachtree Corners and the Atlanta area continue to grow and expand, public transit expands with it. Thankfully, we don’t have as many city buses as downtown Atlanta, but we still have our share. You may have seen the Gwinnett County Transit buses, or the large number of private and public school buses on the road. And then there are the chartered buses and party buses.
Buses are big, and they can do big damage if you’re involved in an accident with one. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident with a bus, talking with a Peachtree Corners bus accident lawyer can help you get some answers. Our accident law firm has the experience you need to hold the bus driver or the bus company responsible. We have a proven track record of getting generous insurance settlements that meets your needs now, and in the future.
Types of Bus Accidents
There are several types of bus accidents we deal with. Which type of accident you’re injured in may determine what sort of damages you are entitled to, and whether we go after the bus driver, the bus company, a government agency, or someone else.
Bus Vs Car or Other Vehicle
These types of bus accidents are probably the most common. Causes can include:
- Bus makes too wide a turn
- Blind spots
- Distracted driving
- The bus swerves to avoid something
- Bus driver negligence
- Bus company negligence
- Bad weather
Bus Vs Pedestrian
You’re more likely to be involved in an accident with a bus while you’re driving, but we have seen cases where a bus hit a pedestrian. Unfortunately, many times these accidents result in very serious injuries, or even death. We are experienced in filing wrongful death cases for our clients, where we have recovered millions of dollars. We realize no amount of money compensate you for the loss of a loved one, but it can help you with paying off medical and funeral expenses, and taking care of your children’s future.
Bus Passengers Injured in an Accident
If you are injured while on a transit bus, or your child is injured while on the school bus, a bus accident lawyer is a necessity to help you cut through the red tape. In these types of accidents, frequently, the bus is under contract with a municipal agency or a school district. These agencies carry comprehensive insurance coverage to pay for your losses in an accident.
Smaller bus companies may not carry enough insurance to cover your losses, in which case we can use several other strategies to get you the compensation you need. These may include:
- Making a claim under the uninsured motorist coverage of your own insurance policy
- Making a claim against the bus driver’s insurance or against the insurance companies of other drivers involved in the accident
- Making a claim with the manufacturer of the bus or its equipment, if there was a defect or malfunction that caused the accident
- Getting a lien on another driver’s personal or business assets until you are paid
Who is “at fault” in a Peachtree Corners bus accident?
Georgia is what’s called a “fault state,” which means that whoever is at fault for the accident is responsible for all of the injuries and damages that result. Fault usually hinges on the concept of “negligence.” Drivers are negligent when they are not being as careful as they should have been. If they had been using safe driving behaviors and obeying traffic laws, the accident would not have happened. A negligent driver is legally at fault. A police report in a bus accident will many times lay out how the accident happened, and who is at fault.
But assigning fault is a little more complicated in many bus accidents because either the bus driver, the bus company, or a governmental entity may be at fault. Or maybe all of them are at fault. For example, a bus driver may be an employee of an independent bus company that is operating a bus under contract with a municipality or school district. The driver may be negligent, and there may be reasons to hold the employer and the city or county liable as well. It can all be very complex — that’s why it’s important to have a bus accident lawyer’s help in pursuing any claim.
The Insurance Company Already Offered Me Money. Should I Take It?
Insurance companies are in business to make money, and will try to avoid an expensive payout. If they make a quick settlement offer, it’s because they know their client is responsible, but the offer may not take everything into account. It is in your best interest to speak with an experienced bus accident lawyer before accepting any settlement. You may regret accepting an early settlement offer, because it doesn’t cover all of your expenses — expenses you hadn’t even thought of. Working with a skilled bus accident lawyer can help you get compensation to cover all of your expenses, damages and future expenses, which may include:
- Ambulance costs
- Hospital bills
- Doctor’s visits
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Mental health treatment for trauma
- Future medical bills
- Lost wages if you missed work because of the accident
- Future wages if you are disabled
- Pain and suffering if a loved one died because of the accident (See Wrongful Death)
Talk to a Peachtree Corners Bus Accident Lawyer for Free
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a bus, consulting with a Peachtree Corners bus accident lawyer may be the smartest move you make. Our lawyers have been helping bus accident victims for many years. We’d like to put our experience to work for you. Let us give you a FREE consultation to help you understand the right next steps for your case—with no obligation. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or use our contact form to schedule your free consultation today.