Bus Accident
Fry | Goehring successfully helps the injured recover the compensation they deserve.
Cases We Handle
Personal Injury
Bus Accident Lawyers in Atlanta
As with any other accident, unexpected bus accidents can happen in the bustling heart of Georgia. Atlanta sees its fair share of unfortunate incidents involving buses on its busy roadways.
What do you do when you or a loved one is injured in a bus accident? Such accidents aren’t uncommon in this city, and when they happen, you need a dedicated legal advocate. Our bus accident lawyers in Atlanta can help you seek justice and compensation for your injuries if another party is liable for the accident.
At Fry | Goehring, we have recovered millions in compensation for our wrongfully injured clients. Our team of trial attorneys is always ready to face off against insurance companies in court if your case isn’t resolved through mediation or negotiation.
Call 404-969-1284 now or fill out our contact form today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you secure full and just compensation for your injuries after a bus accident in Atlanta.
What Steps Do I Take Following a Bus Accident Injury in Atlanta?
Regardless of the severity of your injury following a bus accident in Atlanta, there are essential steps you should take to secure your right to a bus accident claim and win fitting compensation or a settlement. Below are the crucial things to do after an Atlanta bus accident:
- Seek immediate medical attention. Whether it’s a minor scrape, broken bones, or a life-threatening injury, it is crucial that you receive the necessary medical attention immediately after the accident.
- Document whatever you can about the bus accident. If you can, take photos of the scene and record the contact information of any eyewitnesses, including passengers aboard.
- Call the police to file an accident report. Georgia law requires you to report any accident involving bodily injuries, death, or damages exceeding $500.
- Talk to an experienced Atlanta bus accident lawyer about the accident to increase your chances of getting fair compensation for your losses.
By taking the proper steps after a bus accident, you are in a better position to receive your rightfully deserved compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages.
How Can an Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Talking to a bus accident lawyer in Atlanta is crucial to your injury claim process. Always remember that insurance companies aren’t on your side; they will do everything possible to reduce their financial obligation in your Atlanta personal injury case. Here’s where an experienced Atlanta bus accident attorney comes in.
At Fry | Goehring, our dedicated attorneys are ready to take care of your bus accident case, allowing you to concentrate on your path to recovery. Our personal injury practice covers a wide range of bus accident scenarios, ensuring you’re in capable hands for situations such as:
- School bus accidents
- Tour bus accidents
- Private commuter bus accidents
- Bus passenger injuries
- Bus vs. car collisions
- Bus vs. pedestrian accidents
- Bus vs. cyclist accidents
- Bus rollover accidents
- City and public transit bus accidents
From the moment you enlist our legal help in your case, we work together with you and handle your claim diligently to ensure the best possible outcome. Here’s how our lawyers at Fry | Goehring can help with your Atlanta bus accident case:
- Gathering evidence to build your case after a bus accident.
- Establishing all the liable parties in your bus accident case.
- Consult other experts, such as doctors and claims adjusters, to evaluate the extent of your injury and losses.
- Ensure a fair settlement by the insurance company in question.
- Take your case to court and represent you during the trial if your case can’t be resolved through negotiation.
- Provide legal counsel and inform you of all your options in your case.
Going alone in your bus accident case can put you in a losing position against big insurance companies, defense attorneys, and their resources. Working with the seasoned bus accident attorneys at Fry | Goehring gives you a better chance of receiving a fair settlement or award if your case goes to court.
How Are Bus Accidents in Atlanta Different From Other Auto Accidents?
The most apparent factor differentiating bus accidents from other motor vehicle accidents is the size and weight of buses. Buses are larger and heavier than passenger vehicles and other cars, making them trickier to maneuver and stop. This can increase the likelihood of accidents. And when these crashes happen, they often lead to significant damage and devastating injuries.
Bus crashes generally tend to involve multiple vehicles or pedestrians. That means that bus accident cases could potentially have more claimants than other auto accident cases. In the case of bus rollover accidents, multiple passengers may sustain severe or even fatal injuries. As such, it isn’t uncommon for multiple parties to bring legal action against the liable party(s) in a bus accident case.
What Damages Can Bus Accident Victims Recover in Georgia?
Georgia laws allow an injured party to claim damages when a party breaches their legal duty to perform an act or conducts themselves in a manner that could cause harm. Generally, injured parties in a bus accident may recover economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages compensate accident victims for their actual financial losses and may include:
- Medical expenses, including hospital visits, prescriptions, ER visits, surgery, physical therapy, and other treatments
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Home modifications
- Assistive devices
Non-economic damages are general damages that have no set monetary cost. Such damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
A skilled Atlanta bus accident lawyer can help assess your case and work with other experts to determine your losses due to the accident and how much you can recover.
How Long Do Bus Accident Victims Have to Act?
Bus accident victims in Atlanta have two years from the date of the injury to bring action against potentially liable parties. Georgia Code § 9-3-33 provides that wrongful death claims must be filed not later than two years from the date of the victim’s death. If an accident victim or their next of kin doesn’t file their claim within these time limits, they will almost always lose their right to seek compensation.
Bus accident claims against the City of Atlanta are bound by stricter rules, and claimants often have little time to bring action against the city. For instance, any party intending to bring a claim for damages against the City of Atlanta due to injury must first give notice not later than six months from the date the event happened. Failure to provide the city with notice within the specified time may cause you to lose your right to seek compensation for your injury.
Who Can Be Held Responsible Following a Bus Accident?
In most bus accident cases in Atlanta, the bus driver will be held liable for the accident. If a bus driver was reckless or intoxicated while behind the wheel, they will be deemed responsible for the accident. However, other parties, such as private bus companies and city entities, may also be held accountable for a bus accident.
Commercial bus companies must do thorough background checks before hiring their drivers, as skimping over these checks could result in hiring underqualified drivers. If an underqualified driver affiliated with a bus company causes an accident, the company will be liable for failing to do due diligence before hiring the driver.
City entities should also ensure that public transit buses are maintained and that roads remain in good condition. Otherwise, they may be held responsible for bus accidents. Our bus accident attorneys in Atlanta can evaluate the facts of your case to determine all the parties responsible for your bus accident and ensure that they are held liable.
What if My Child Was Injured in a School Bus Accident?
School bus accidents can be terrifying — no parent wants to imagine their child in danger while they travel to school or back home. You may have a case if the bus driver was negligent and your child was hurt.
Georgia has established legal protections and transportation rules for school buses and their respective school districts. These protective measures outline the extent of liability insurance procured for their coverage. Furthermore, school bus accident cases may involve sovereign immunity issues, meaning that a government entity can’t be sued unless it agrees to be sued. The city of Atlanta may cover a child hurt in a school bus accident, as Rule 160-5-3-.04 of the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia requires the local board of education to maintain a minimum liability insurance coverage as follows:
- $100,000 per person
- $300,000 per accident
- $50,000 property damage
- $5,000 medical and death payment
What if I Was Hurt in a Transit Bus Accident?
Like school bus accident cases, accidents involving public transit authorities like MARTA or Xpress buses can be complicated as different laws apply to government entities. While you may have a valid claim, you may be limited in the value of the damages you can recover and the time you have to bring legal action against the city. Working with an experienced Atlanta bus accident lawyer can help you discover your options and act quickly when a government entity is responsible for your injuries.
What if I Was Injured in a Tour or Greyhound Bus Accident?
If you get injured on a Greyhound or tour bus in Georgia, a bus accident attorney can help determine the liable parties and bring legal action against them under Georgia personal injury laws. If the accident happened in Georgia, it is crucial that you speak to your local bus accident attorney, who will help you file your claim in line with state laws.
Call Fry | Goehring To Get Started With Your Bus Accident Claim
Bus accidents can seriously injure passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and even other drivers. When they happen, injured parties and their families are often left with substantial financial obligations to meet. By working with the experienced attorneys at Fry | Goehring, you protect your right to seek damages for your injuries and increase your chances of receiving fair and just compensation for your losses.
Call us today at 404-969-1284 to schedule a free consultation and start your claim process.
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