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When you travel by bus, you place your safety in the hands of the bus driver. Also, your safety depends on the willingness of other drivers to obey traffic rules and regulations and drive responsibly.
If you have sustained personal injuries in a bus crash because of bus driver negligence or the negligence of another driver, you may recover financial compensation for your injuries and other damages. A Decatur bus accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation after a bus accident, including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering; to cover your ongoing care needs.
Related: Georgia Statute of Limitations
When you have been injured in a bus crash in Decatur or the Atlanta metro area, the Decatur bus accident lawyer at Marks Law Group can help. Our team of skilled Decatur bus accident lawyers has extensive experience in a wide range of motor vehicle accident claims, including bus crashes. To speak with an experienced Decatur personal injury attorney at our law firm about your bus accident, call our law office in Decatur, Georgia today at (678) 251-9309, or complete a form online.
Liability, when a bus hits a pedestrian, depends on the cause of the bus crash and which party was negligent. If, for instance, the pedestrian ran into the path of an oncoming bus that didn’t stop in time, the pedestrian may be at fault. However, if the bus driver was speeding, texting, distracted, under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, or reckless in some other manner, the driver may be liable for the crash. Also, the bus company that employs the bus driver may be liable for the accident as well.
Bus companies are indirectly liable for the actions of their employees, including bus drivers who hit pedestrians. Here, the pedestrian may sue the bus company. Further, bus companies are directly liable for their negligent actions, especially if their reckless actions caused an accident. For instance, if a bus company doesn’t ensure its drivers have proper training, and an inexperienced driver causes an accident, then the bus company is liable for its negligence.
If you’re uncertain about liability for a bus accident where you sustained injuries, please call us. Our knowledgeable attorneys will review your accident claim and explore which party is liable for your damages.
Although Georgia bus drivers have to adhere to the same rules of the road that apply to other drivers, bus drivers have additional rules that they must follow. Drivers on the roads have to exercise ordinary care or ordinary diligence. In Georgia, buses are considered as common carriers, which means under Georgia laws, bus drivers owe their passengers a heightened duty of care.
According to Georgia courts, this heightened duty of care requires bus drivers to exercise “extraordinary diligence.” However, this doesn’t mean that bus drivers are always liable after bus accidents, but it means that it’s easier to hold them accountable for passenger injuries.
Also, bus drivers must comply with various state and federal laws that apply to the service they offer. For instance, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations might apply to the bus service, which creates standards for the maintenance and inspection of the bus and hours of service requirements for bus drivers. An experienced Georgia personal injury lawyer can conduct the necessary legal research to find all the local, state, and federal regulations that apply to bus drivers and bus companies.
Most cities and their municipalities own and run their transportation systems, and thus they’re responsible for the safety of their passengers. Georgia has mandatory waivers of sovereign immunity for counties and cities for accident claims arising from the use of a motor vehicle. The automatic waiver is $500,000, but counties and cities can get insurance for higher amounts, and if they do, the waiver is for the higher amount.
However, if the city or county is responsible for negligent hiring or training, you can file an insurance claim. Most cities and counties in Georgia, including Atlanta, carry insurance coverage for such accident claims. Since special rules apply to accident claims against government entities, it’s essential to work with an experienced bus accident attorney who understands what’s required to seek compensation when public transportation is involved.
To have a strong insurance claim in a bus accident lawsuit, the more evidence you gather, the better. You will need to provide evidence to prove who was at fault for the crash, how they were reckless, and the injuries, property damage, and other damages you now face because of their negligent actions.
After a bus accident, contact a Decatur bus accident lawyer as soon as possible because they know how to build a strong case to help you recover the compensation you deserve to cover your medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Also, you can strengthen your bus accident claim by:
Regardless of the type of bus involved in your crash, bus accident laws are different and often more complicated than the laws applying to other motor vehicle accidents. So, it’s a good idea to find a skilled personal injury lawyer who can help you pursue the best financial compensation possible in your bus accident claim.
The knowledgeable Decatur bus accident lawyer at Marks Law Group help traffic accident victims recover compensation for their injuries and other damages. We are ready to investigate the accident and fight fiercely to recover every penny that you’re owed by the responsible party. Our skilled attorneys will analyze the accident report, medical records, witness accounts, insurance documents, and police reports and help you maximize your compensation.
If you have been hurt in a bus crash, either as a bus passenger, pedestrian, or a driver or passenger of another car, you may have many questions regarding your rights and legal options. Our team of dedicated and experienced Decatur auto accident lwayers is here to answer your questions and be your trusted counsel throughout the personal injury claims process.
For a free case review, contact us today at (678) 251-9309, or chat with us online to learn how we can help.