Bus accidents are fairly rare—but when they do happen, the aftermath can be serious. We want to completely trust our Tucker bus drivers to keep its passengers, other drivers, and even pedestrians safe, but sometimes carelessness can lead to liability. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident involving a bus, it’s time to speak with a Tucker bus accident lawyer.
Our lawyers know that the time after a bus accident is overwhelming, painful, and expensive. We want to help you recovery as fully as possible—and we never charge a thing unless we win you money. To get started, let us give you a completely FREE consultation to talk about your situation post-accident. Get your free consultation by calling us at 404-341-6555 or by filling out the form to your right today.
5 Steps to Take If You’re Hurt on a Bus in Tucker
The moments following a bus accident are crucial for both your health and your bus accident claim. Here are four things you should do as soon as possible after a bus accident occurs.
1. Get any necessary medical attention right away.
Don’t delay calling 911 to get medical treatment for you or others who were seriously injured in the accident. Although bus accidents are less common than other motor vehicle accidents, they often involve worse injuries they may worsen without quick treatment. This is especially relevant if children were harmed in the accident. They might not be as good as adults at communicating they’re hurt, so get them medical attention as soon as possible.
2. Call police.
Once you know everyone is taken care of physically after the accident, call police right away. They should always be contacted after any vehicle accident. Once they’re on the scene, make sure they create a report of the accident, and tell them any relevant details about the collision.
3. Take pictures of the scene.
Get photos and video of the accident. Take pictures of all damage and injuries resulting from the accident.
4. Gather information from witnesses.
Speak with people who were involved in the accident and those who saw it happen. In bus accidents, there are often several witnesses. Get statements from them about what they saw, as well as their full names, phone numbers, and addresses. Your bus accident lawyer will use them information to help your case—which brings us to the crucial fifth step.
5. Call an experienced bus accident lawyer.
The sooner you can contact a personal injury lawyer who knows bus accident cases well, the better. They can start working on your case immediately and help you obtain helpful information. They’ll also fight for a better settlement than what insurers initially offer you. Working with a lawyer early in the process can increase your chances of fuller financial recovery. If a loved one died in a bus accident, they can also help you file a wrongful death claim.
Who is liable in a bus accident?
Liability in a bus accident can be more complex than in a typical car accident claim because there are more parties involved.
If the accident was the bus driver’s fault.
The driver and the government body that owns and operates the bus, such as a public transportation bureau or school district, may be liable. This is when things can get tricky, as filing an injury claim with a government body is more complicated. But it’s important to hold them liable for the accident. Anyone who hires a bus driver or owns a bus has a high duty of care to only choose the best people and ensure their vehicle is well-maintained.
If another driver was at fault.
They are likely liable for damages in the accident. In this situation, you can make a third-party claim with their insurance company to seek damages for your expenses and injuries.
If the accident involved a school bus.
The school district itself might be involved too. They will hold insurance to cover Tucker bus accidents.
In many of these cases, you’ll also need to file your documentation within a short period of time after the accident. Since time matters and bus accidents aren’t always as straight-forward as other personal injury settlements, it’s best to contact a bus accident lawyer right away.
I was crossing the street and got hit by a bus. Do I have a case?
If you were a pedestrian hit by a bus, you have the same rights as anyone else injured by the bus accident. You can recover money for damages like medical bills, physical therapy, prescriptions, and time missed from work due to your injuries. In a car accident case, this money would be paid by the car driver’s insurance company.
In a bus accident case, the above still applies; it depends on who is liable for your injuries. But since that is harder to determine, and because being hit by a bus on foot usually results in serious injury, your best bet is to work with a bus accident lawyer who can help determine the best next steps for you.
Speak to a Tucker Bus Accident Lawyer for Free
Our attorneys want to help make the transition back to life after a bus accident as painless as possible. If you or loved one was involved or killed in a bus accident in Tucker, contact us so we can help. We understand money can’t magically put life back how it was before the accident, but we do know it can help easy financial worries as you move forward. Don’t let other drivers, insurance companies, or your own doubt prevent you from pursuing what you need to cover your costs. Contact us today for a FREE consultation to get started. You can do so by calling 404-341-6555 or filling out the form to your right today.
