Most buses in Stone Mountain aren’t required to follow seat belt laws, and many have other special exceptions under the law that set them apart from other vehicles. This is only considered safe because we put so much trust in the bus drivers, bus companies, and mechanics who maintain bus fleets. Unfortunately, this trust isn’t always merited—and bus accidents are surprisingly common nationwide. If you or someone you love have been injured in a bus accident, you need to get legal help immediately.
Let our legal team help you. We can connect you with some of the best bus accident lawyers in Stone Mountain—and in the state. Our law group has been representing bus accident victims and other accident victims for over 20 years, and we have a success record that few other lawyers can match. Don’t risk losing out on the money that may be your right. Let us give you a FREE consultation. Fill out the form to the right or call us at (404) 341-6555 to get your free consultation today.
Who has the right to recover money in a bus accident in Stone Mountain?
Under Georgia state law, anyone has the right to recover damages if they suffered injuries or losses in a vehicle accident that they did not cause. In a bus accident, that means almost anyone who was hurt may have the right to recover damages except the at-fault driver.
For example, you may be entitled to money if you are:
- A passenger on the bus that was involved in the accident. (As a rule, bus passenger are almost never at fault in any way, and nearly always have a right to recover damages.)
- A student (or the parent of a student) injured in a school bus accident
- A pedestrian or bicyclist hit by a bus
- A passenger in another vehicle in the accident—even if the driver of your vehicle was the one at fault
- The driver of another vehicle hit by the bus, if you were not the one who caused the accident
If you are not sure whether you’ll be found at fault or not, don’t panic. Our attorneys can talk with you for free and help you get clear answers on what to expect based on your specific accident. And in many cases, you could be able to recover money even if you’re partly at fault. Georgia allows you to recover partial damages as long as the accident wasn’t more than 50% your fault.
What are my rights if I was a passenger on the bus, or getting on/off the bus when I was hurt?
If there was a vehicle accident, it’s almost impossible that you could be at fault. You almost certainly have a strong case and the potential to recover 100% of your cost, plus money for personal losses like pain and suffering. However, you will need to determine which party (or parties) is at fault in order to file a successful claim. Depending on what happened, that could be:
- The bus driver and/or bus company
- A driver from another vehicle
- A company that maintains the bus (if a fault part or poor maintenance was at fault)
- …or other parties in some rare cases
If you were injured getting on or off the bus, you may still have a case. It depends on what happened. Most people know how to board or exit a bus safely, so most injuries involve a fall—often because of a hazard or some slippery surface. In other cases, the bus driver allows the bus to move or pulls up to an unsafe area (such as a large puddle with uncertain footing).
In these cases, there’s a high chance the bus driver and bus company are liable for your injuries.
But be careful—bus companies have deep pockets and aggressive insurance companies. They will likely try to blame you for your own injury, saying you were clumsy or careless. Do not believe them. The insurance companies have a financial incentive to make you the bad guy; it’s always in your best interest to get an independent legal opinion.
What are my rights if I was walking/cycling and was hit by a bus?
Most bus-on-pedestrian (or bicycle) accidents happen when a bus is leaving a stop, and someone who was crossing the intersection gets hit. The bus driver will claim that they “didn’t see you” or you “came out of nowhere.” But that does NOT mean you did anything wrong.
In other cases, people are hit by buses:
- When a pedestrian is crossing a road and a moving bus hits them
- When a child runs into the road
- When a school bus driver does not wait for children to finish crossing and/or doesn’t check blind spots
- When a bus moves over and hits a bicyclist riding in the next lane
The victims in all of these situations may be able to establish fault and recover money. But again, insurers are quick to turn the blame around. Never give insurers a statement or accept an offer until you have spoken to a lawyer.
What if I was in another vehicle that was in an accident with a bus?
Bus accidents involving other vehicles are resolved just like any other car accident, but they tend to be scrutinized more because bus drivers are held to very high standards. In general, you will need to talk to a Stone Mountain car accident lawyer to get answers on how fault will be determined and whether an insurance offer is fair.
Remember—buses have large blind spots and it is up to the driver to check them. If you were hit, there’s a strong chance that the bus driver was at least partly at fault.
Talk to a Stone Mountain Bus Accident Lawyer for Free
The injuries from a bus accident can change your life for months or years. Don’t face the aftermath alone—and don’t lose the money that’s your right. Let our lawyers give you a FREE consultation. Fill out the form to the right or call us at (404) 341-6555 for your free consultation today.
