Bus Accidents

Buses are a useful form of transportation, but these sizable vehicles can cause severe accidents. If the bus driver, bus company, or another negligent party caused the accident, you might have the opportunity to hold them accountable for your injuries.

Filing a lawsuit for a bus accident can be difficult to do on your own, but an Atlanta bus accident lawyer can help you present your claim and obtain financial compensation. Let our skilled personal injury attorneys assist you throughout the legal process. Because many buses are operated by cities, counties and other governmental entities, there can be heightened notice requirements at play and it is very important that you contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident.

Common Causes of Bus Wrecks

Determining the cause of a bus collision is a critical part of seeking compensation from the at-fault party. Some of the most common issues that lead to bus crashes include:

• Tired or fatigued drivers
• Inexperienced drivers
• Improper bus operator training
• Failure to check blind spots
• Defective parts or tires
• Improper bus maintenance
• Distracted driving
• Intoxicated driving

Often, there are multiple factors that contribute to an accident. An experienced lawyer can help an injured party determine the main causes of their bus accident and gather evidence against the individuals responsible.

Proving Negligence

To claim compensation in a personal injury lawsuit, an injured person must prove that another party was negligent. In a legal context, negligence occurs when someone fails to provide reasonable care to another person, causing an accident that results in injuries.

Proving negligence requires an in-depth investigation of the accident and the potentially responsible parties. A qualified bus crash attorney will analyze police reports, witness testimonies, videos of the incident, and any other evidence that may show another party caused the collision. Injured parties must also provide evidence of their losses.

After proving negligence and damages, claimants can seek compensation for economic losses such as medical expenses and lost income. Injured parties can also recover compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, loss of consortium, permanent disability, and more.

Comparative Negligence in Bus Accident Cases

In some cases, the injured party may be considered partially responsible for the accident. Under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 51-11-7, if the plaintiff contributed to the accident in some way, the court can reduce their damages award by their percentage of fault.

If the court finds the injured party 50 percent or more responsible, they will not be permitted to receive compensation at all. Whether the plaintiff was a passenger on the bus or another driver on the road, the at-fault party will likely try to push some of the blame onto them. A dedicated lawyer can help an injured party fight back against accusations of fault.

Get Legal Help from an Atlanta Bus Accident Attorney

If you were in a bus accident, you might be suffering from long-term injuries, emotional trauma, and financial losses. Fortunately, you do not have to face this alone.

Our Atlanta bus accident lawyers are here to help you fight for the compensation you need to make a full recovery. Reach out to our firm today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your legal options.