Residents of all ages in Redan ride buses every day. Whether the destination is school, work, or somewhere else, passengers get onboard trusting their journey will be safe. And while this is often the case, bus accidents do still happen.
Sometimes the bus driver or another motorist can make a mistake that leads to a collision. Other times, it may be a maintenance or manufacturing issue. Either way, if you or a loved one was hurt in a bus accident, it’s time to consult with a Redan bus accident lawyer.
Our attorneys have been working on bus accident cases for more than two decades. We know the rules and laws surrounding bus safety and how they apply during an accident. Our goal is to help you financially recover as fully as possible after your accident—and we don’t get paid unless we win you money. You can start today by scheduling a FREE consultation with one of our experienced lawyers. Call 404-341-6555 or fill out the form on this page for your free consultation.
What Causes Bus Accidents in Redan?
There are a number of ways bus accidents can happen.
From a legal standpoint, someone must have been negligent for you to have a bus accident claim. That means a person or party has failed to uphold a certain duty of care and acted in a way that put others in danger. Negligence does not mean the person necessarily meant to cause harm, but there was a degree of carelessness that led to the accident. And when someone is negligent in an accident, they are at fault and liable for damages.
Here are some of the most common causes of bus accidents in Redan.
Bus Driver Mistakes
Every driver is susceptible to making mistakes on the road, and bus drivers are no exception. This could be due to distracted driving or just simply making a poor navigation decision that leads to a collision. Or, they might fail to follow a traffic law by speeding or turning incorrectly.
Unfortunately, when a bus driver makes a mistake, more lives are at stake than with a car, bicycle, or motorcycle accident. That’s why it’s so important for school districts or other companies who hire bus drivers to carefully vet their employees.
Bus driving mistakes can also result from:
- Left turns: Buses have a temporary blind spot when they are making left turns, and without careful navigation, it can lead to an accident
- Blind spots: Besides the blind spot when turning, buses regularly have points where they can’t see all around their vehicle. This can lead to collisions if the driver doesn’t properly check for people or other vehicles
Other Drivers
Sometimes in bus accidents, the bus driver is driving responsibly but another motorist is negligent and causes the collision. Plus, the size and lack of maneuverability of buses can sometimes make it hard for the bus driver to avoid collisions if another vehicle is driving recklessly.
Bus Malfunctions
In some bus accidents, the issue is not with any driver but from a malfunction of bus parts or lack of maintenance. If this is the case, your lawyer will research the situation to help determine who was negligent in the upkeep of the bus.
Negligence of the Busing Company
Because so many people ride on buses—and the passengers are often children, in the case of school buses—there are many state and federal laws in place for protection. Unfortunately, some bus companies may cut corners to avoid the expenses or time required to uphold certain regulations. This puts the driver and their passengers in danger, and it can increase the chances of a bus accident.
Poor Hiring Decisions
If a bus driver is hired directly by a school district, the district is responsible for properly screening, interviewing, and training bus drivers. If they fail in this duty and the driver causes an accident, the entity that employed them could be liable for damages.
No matter how the bus accident occurred, if you were hurt (either as a passenger or another driver) and did not cause the accident, you have legal options. A bus accident lawyer can help you with the next steps, including filing a claim for the damages you’ve suffered.
Who Can Recover Damages from a Bus Accident?
In Georgia, you can recover damages from any accident you didn’t cause. “Damages” refers to injuries, property damage, and other losses you experienced because of the accident.
In a bus accident, there are many different people who may be hurt because of the accident and have the right to seek damages, including:
- Bus passengers, including adult passengers or students (or the student’s parent, if they are minors)
- Driver of another vehicle, if they were not at fault
- Passenger in another vehicle involved in the accident
- A pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist
If you were in a bus accident and aren’t sure whether or not you caused it, call a bus accident attorney as soon as you can. Don’t admit fault or apologize until you have all the facts—and never give a statement or accept any money from an insurance company until you’ve spoken to an experienced attorney.
If you were a bus passenger, you are almost never at fault for a bus accident. And even if you do bear some of the fault, in Georgia you may still be able to recover partial damages if you are less than 50% at fault.
Talk to a Redan Bus Accident Lawyer for Free Today
A bus accident can affect your life in many ways, but you shouldn’t have to face the legal process alone. And you may be entitled to full compensation of your injury costs and other damages. To find out for sure, contact our attorneys for a FREE consultation at 404-341-6555.
With more than 20 years working on bus accident cases, we can look at your situation and go over your options. Call us today at 404-341-6555 today, or fill out the form on this page to get started with your free consultation.
