Hurt in a Bus Collision? Our Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyers Will Hold the Responsible Parties Accountable!
An Atlanta bus accident lawyer at The Graham Firm can help you and your family following a collision with a bus or commercial vehicle. Although no one expects to be involved in a bus accident - collisions involving buses and big trucks occur frequently and often result in catastrophic injury. If an accident was caused by the bus driver’s negligence or the negligence of a third party, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
Injured in a School Bus or MARTA Bus Accident? We'll Help You Get Back on Your Feet
When you or a loved one has been injured in a bus collision, the aftermath can be incredibly stressful and disorienting. Whether you were injured in a school bus accident, a tour bus collision, or a bus operated by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), the injuries sustained can leave a lasting impact on your physical and emotional well-being. At our Atlanta bus and truck accident law firm, we understand the complexities of a bus accident case, including the liability of the bus company and the responsible parties.
With over 20 years of experience fighting to protect the rights of injury victims in Atlanta and surrounding areas, our team of skilled attorneys is dedicated to holding the responsible parties accountable and helping you get back on your feet. We have won numerous cases through verdicts and settlements in excess of $60,000,000 on behalf of our clients, and we never charge a fee unless we win your case.
If you're in need of an Atlanta bus accident attorney to help you navigate your bus accident case, look no further than our highly experienced team of personal injury attorneys in Atlanta.
What Our Clients Say
Why You Need a Skilled Atlanta Bus Accident Attorney for Your Claim
Bus operators, like trucking companies, must follow federal regulations which govern all aspects of their operation. Federal regulations apply to everything from driver licensing to maintenance to operations. For example, bus drivers that operate a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more people (including the driver), have duty and rest requirements similar to airline pilots and must keep logbooks.
Lawyers representing bus accident victims must understand the applicable regulations. If you have a lawyer who is skilled in bus accident causes and liability, you will have a better chance of recovering fair compensation.
How to Protect Your Rights and Your Health After a Bus Accident
Following a bus accident, there are several things you should do for your physical well-being and to protect your legal rights and interests.
1. Do Not Leave the Scene of The Accident
Stay at the scene of a crash and wait for emergency personnel and first responders to arrive. Help others if you are able to safely do so. If possible, exchange contact information with others who were involved or who witnessed the crash. Wait for law enforcement to respond and take a police report.
2. Collect Evidence
Collect photo and video evidence of the crash scene (if you are able), including damage to vehicles and property. If possible to do so safely, step back and take photos of vehicles’ proximity to each other. Also, get close-ups of the damage. In some cases, buses are towed hundreds of miles away, or physically destroyed - and there is no opportunity to inspect them. The evidence you obtain from the crash scene could be your only chance to prove fault and liability.
3. Get Medical Care
It may be tempting to go home and rest after a vehicle collision but do not decline medical treatment. Seeking medical attention after a bus crash or car accident is critical not just for your own well-being, but for your case. Your medical record will be an important link between your accident and the injuries that result. If you delay seeking medical attention, the bus operator or transit authority may question the severity of your injuries and even the truthfulness of your personal injury claim. Follow your doctor’s care plan, including follow-ups with your primary care provider or specialists.
4. Contact a Bus Accident Injury Attorney
As soon as possible, contact a skilled and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can help you determine how an accident occurred, and who is liable for medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, or other damages.
You will need to report your accident to your insurance company. If you talk to any insurance representatives for the bus operator, discuss facts only. Avoid providing a recorded statement, speculating on fault, or assessing the severity of your injuries. Statements like “I will be fine,” or “My injuries are not that bad” can be used against you. Once you hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you, your attorney can handle all communications with the insurance company and other legal counsels.
Understanding the Statutes of Limitations for Bus Accident Claims vs Car Accident Claims
Each state, including Georgia, has specific windows of time, known as a statute of limitations, in which people have to pursue civil claims for damages. These time periods are designed to prevent people from bringing claims years or even decades following an accident when no one remembers what happened or who was involved. If a claim is filed after the window passes, courts will dismiss the claim. For most car accident claims, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident.
Many people are familiar with traditional statutes of limitations. However, many people do not realize that there are unique regulations that apply to bus accidents. Bus accidents that involve government vehicles or occur on government property (including schools) are subject to specific rules which essentially limit the period of time victims have to pursue a claim. What is important to know: when the government is involved, you typically have less time - either six months or a year.
Anyone involved in a bus accident is well advised to speak with a bus accident lawyer as soon as possible. It is never too soon to contact an attorney following an auto collision.
Most Common Injuries from A Bus Crash
Injuries sustained in a bus accident are often similar to injuries sustained in a car accident or trucking accident. Common injuries include:
- Amputation injuries
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Chest injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Many older buses lack safety features found in modern vehicles like seat belts and airbags. Unfortunately, this means passengers are vulnerable to serious injury or death after a collision.
Get the Compensation You Deserve with One of
Atlanta's Best Bus Accident Attorneys
A bus accident settlement will allow you to move forward following a serious or catastrophic injury. Although no amount of money can undo the life-changing consequences, money in a settlement can compensate victims and their families for their far-reaching losses, including:
- Medical expenses
- Hospitalization
- Disability
- Loss of love, care, and companionship
- Occupational therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation center stays
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
Receiving fair compensation in a bus accident claim is not automatic or guaranteed. Insurance companies treat claims as business matters and will do everything possible to delay, deny, or limit compensation. Some insurance companies will even go so far as to blame victims for their injuries. The best way to ensure you are properly compensated following a bus accident is to hire an experienced, knowledgeable, and capable personal injury lawyer to fight for fair compensation.
Contact The Graham Firm Today
You do not have to take on school districts, municipalities, or transit authorities on your own following a bus accident. The seasoned lawyers at The Graham Firm fight for fair compensation. We will not hesitate to take claims to trial if a fair settlement is not offered.
If you've been in a school bus accident in Georgia or an accident involving MARTA buses in Atlanta or the surrounding areas and want to know more about your legal options for compensation, reach out to us today. We have an experienced Atlanta bus accident lawyer who specializes in handling these kinds of cases and can help you understand your rights. Don't hesitate to contact us for a case review.
Atlanta, GA Bus Accident Service Area
Serving Clients Injured By Cars, Buses and Big Trucks NATIONWIDE.
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The Graham Firm
Phone: (888) 404-PAID
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