Roswell Bus Accident Lawyer

Bus accidents in Roswell cause a range of injuries and damages, from minor scrapes and bruising to traumatic brain damage or other wounds that can have long-term negative effects. When bus crashes happen, they often result in confusion and fear because of the number of people that may be involved. If you were involved in a bus accident, even a minor one, you have legal rights to get money damages to account for your losses. A Roswell bus accident lawyer can help you.

Our lawyers have over 20 years of experience helping bus accident victims in the Roswell area. We have the experience and compassion you need to get through this challenging time. We never work for insurance companies—we want to help victims deal with the physical and financial losses that a bus collision may cause. Give us a call at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.

What makes bus accidents different from car accidents?

Buses are actually very safe vehicles in general. Accidents involving buses are rare. But, when they do happen, there is a higher likelihood that injuries and damages occur. This is true for a few reasons:

They have unique safety hazards.

Buses, like semi-trucks or 18-wheelers, are much larger than other passenger vehicles. That makes them harder to maneuver generally, but it also increases their stopping distance. It’s harder to accelerate quickly as well. Because they are taller, they are also more likely to roll over compared to a smaller car. Buses often don’t have safety features for their passengers, such as seat belts and airbags. Items in the bus can also become dangerous in a crash as well.

Collisions involve more people.

When a bus accident occurs, it usually involves more than just the person who is driving the bus. Bus accidents that involve full vehicles could affect dozens of people—each in a different way. Every person may also have a diverse version of what happened or what they saw just before or during a crash. This difference affects how this type of accident is investigated in addition to the sheer number of injuries involved.

Buses are often around high-traffic areas.

In addition to the people on the vehicle, buses are also a threat to those around them as well. Buses are often found in busy areas of a city that have high foot traffic from pedestrians or bicyclists. Getting on and off the bus can also be a hazard. Bus drivers face unique challenges when they must be aware of everyone around them while sitting in a large vehicle with significant blind spots.

Getting on and off the bus can be hazardous.

A bus driver has to be sure that they are parking the bus in a location that is safe for those getting on and off the bus. Even when you trip and fall while getting off the bus, the driver or bus company may still be legally responsible for the resulting injuries. There are also unique risks because children may be attempting to get on or off the bus as well. Those kids may not keep an eye out for vehicles as they should. In some cases, those circumstances can cause accidents that the bus driver could have prevented.

There are also unique rules and laws that apply to bus companies and bus drivers. School bus drivers, for example, must meet additional qualifications to be hired and maintain their ability to drive a school bus. When a busing company does not correctly vent or train their drivers, they can be liable for your injuries and damage as well.

I was on a tour bus or shuttle. Am I still covered?

Yes. When most people think of the word “bus,” they may see images of public transportation or school buses. But, the definition from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is actually much broader than those common examples. A bus is any passenger vehicle that can carry a minimum of nine people. Other examples of buses include:

• Tour buses
• Intercity buses
• Airport transport
• School buses
• Municipal transport buses
• Greyhound buses or other carriers that travel longer distances

A bus also involves paying another person to transport you. As a passenger, you put a lot of trust in the bus driver because you have no control over the vehicle. Because of this trust, bus drivers are held to a higher standard than the average passenger vehicle driver. That means that if they make a mistake or act carelessly while driving, they may be legally responsible for any accident they cause.

Is the bus driver at fault for my accident?

They may be, but not always.

The law recognizes that driving a bus is more dangerous than driving a car. That is why bus drivers must carry specific licenses to operate a bus in Georgia. Every bus driver must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to drive a bus. To get a CDL in Georgia, you must meet the following qualifications.

• You must meet the criteria to get a regular Georgia driver’s license (including age and class requirements)
• Certify that you agree to abide by the state motor carrier regulations
• Go through a medical examination that determines you are fit to drive safely
• Provide proof of identity and legal presence
• Take and pass a CDL exam
• Go through a vision screening

School bus drivers must also get a school bus endorsement on their license. They must also go through a driving skills test to show that they can operate a school bus safely.

All of this means that drivers tend to be screened and trained, and most are very safe drivers. Your accident may have been caused by a driver of another vehicle, or by a mechanical failure of the bus. But this isn’t always true, and driver distraction or other carelessness by the bus driver is a factor in some cases.

The short answer is: if the bus driver is not at fault, there is likely another party who is. And if the driver is at fault, your claim can likely draw on the substantial insurance policies carried by bus companies and schools.

Talk to a Roswell Bus Accident Lawyer for Free

We want to help you after a bus accident. Don’t wait to give our experienced team a call to schedule a free consultation—here is no risk, and we may be able to help you get the money you deserve to cover your losses after a bus accident. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to schedule your free consultation today.