When buses collide with passenger vehicles, serious injuries can result. If you or your loved one was hurt in a bus crash, financial compensation could be available. However, pursuing your case alone can be challenging and risky. A minor mistake during your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit could endanger your recovery.
An Atlanta personal injury lawyer from Kaine Law can help you avoid common pitfalls that could hurt your chances of a successful case outcome. We have multiple decades of legal experience we can put to work for you. While our attorneys advocate on your behalf, you can focus your energy on healing from your injuries. Call us for a free case consultation today.
You Could Recover Compensation After Your Atlanta Bus Accident
The aftermath of a bus accident can be a difficult time for anyone. Serious physical injuries have the potential to derail your life and career, but that does not mean you are out of options.
By filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the responsible party, you could obtain the monetary resources you need to recover from your injuries and get back on your feet financially.
What Damages Are Available in a Bus Accident?
Financial compensation for your bus accident injuries falls into one of two categories—economic and non-economic damages. Both types of damages commonly make up a successful injury settlement.
Economic damages exist for one reason: they return you to the financial position you were in prior to the bus accident. These damages cover any out-of-pocket expenses you accrued due to the accident. The most common economic losses include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and property damage costs.
Non-economic damages are not so simple to identify. These subjective damages compensate you for the hard-to-measure losses you have experienced. Some common examples include physical pain, mental anguish, emotional suffering, and lost quality of life.
Compensation for a Deceased Loved One
According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, more than 1,700 fatalities occurred on the state’s roadways in 2021, with most fatal crashes occurring in urban areas like Atlanta.
If you lost your loved one due to injuries sustained in a in a accident, our Atlanta bus accident lawyers can assist qualifying survivors with a wrongful death lawsuit. Compensation may include the deceased’s medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, lost wages, and lost support, services, companionship, and counsel.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accident lawyer serving Atlanta, call 404-214-2001
Who Is Responsible for a Bus Accident?
There are many types of buses and multiple parties that could be at fault when they crash. Identifying these responsible parties is a vital part of any personal injury case. Our attorneys can evaluate the facts of your crash and advise you on the party—or parties—at fault in your accident.
Bus Drivers
Some bus accidents are due to bus operator errors. Navigating city streets in a bus can be difficult, and careless or reckless actions (such as speeding or failing to yield) can result in a crash. If the bus driver is at fault for your accident, you could pursue an injury claim against them personally.
Private Bus Companies
When the bus involved in an accident is privately owned, it could be possible to pursue damages against the bus company. This action may be possible under a legal principle known as vicarious liability, even when the bus driver was directly responsible for the crash. The bus company is responsible for the actions of their drivers while they are on the job and using their equipment.
Government Entities
Fulton County and several surrounding counties operate the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). The government could also own the buses involved in a school bus accident. Government entities can face civil liability when crashes involve publicly owned vehicles.
It is important to consult with an attorney from our firm in these cases, as there could be different deadlines for pursuing injury claims against government entities.
Bus Manufacturers
The makers of the bus involved in the accident might also be at fault. You could pursue legal action against the manufacturer if defects are responsible for a crash. Just like other parties, manufacturers have a duty of care to keep you reasonably safe when using their products.
These lawsuits are different in that they involve a strict liability standard. That means you could qualify for damages without the need to prove negligence.
A Third-Party Driver
Sometimes, the fault for a bus accident falls entirely or partly on another driver on the road. For example, a driver may cut off a bus, causing the bus to rear-end them. When a motorist drives negligently and causes or contributes to a bus accident, you can pursue fair compensation from them, along with any other liable party.
To get a stronger understanding of your bus accident case, call Kaine Law. Our legal representatives can review your case for free during your phone call.
Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me 404-214-2001
How Can a Bus Accident Attorney From Our Law Firm Help?
Many steps go into a successful bus accident injury claim or lawsuit, and our firm can assist you with each of them. Putting your trust in the hands of our Atlanta bus accident lawyer could benefit you in the following ways:
We Can Evaluate Your Case
Every bus accident injury case is different. Our personal injury lawyers will work tirelessly to develop all the important facts surrounding your case. Our investigation can determine who is responsible for the accident and identify what your bus accident claim or lawsuit might be worth.
We Gather the Evidence in your Bus Accident Case
Evidence is crucial to any negligence claim. We must be able to prove the connection between you and the accident and injuries. Commonly referred to as the four elements of negligence, we must prove:
- Duty of Care: The driver, or another party, has a responsibility for the safe operation of the bus.
- Breach of Duty: That party failed to act accordingly.
- Causation: Their action or inaction led to the accident where you suffered injuries.
- Damages: You now have physical injuries, financial losses, and emotional distress.
The evidence we collect could include the following:
- The police report
- Your medical records
- Photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and vehicle and property damage
- Videos from dashcams, traffic cameras, and business surveillance
- Witness statements
We will also consult with experts in various fields related to your accident.
You Can Rely on Our Negotiating Skills
The ability to negotiate a potential injury settlement is invaluable. Insurance companies will go to great lengths to avoid paying the full value for an injury claim, but our attorneys can negotiate with them to achieve a fair settlement. Our Atlanta attorneys understand the tactics insurance companies use and can counter them to ensure you receive a reasonable offer.
Our firm has extensive experience dealing with insurance companies, and we look forward to using that experience to maximize your settlement value.
Our Firm Can Provide You With Peace of Mind
Filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit following a bus accident can be a stressful experience. There is no reason to spend your time fretting over the details of your case when you can put it in the hands of a dedicated lawyer on our team.
Our injury attorneys will do the work of developing your case while you focus on your physical and emotional health. This includes preparing and filing paperwork, tracking deadlines, and communicating with involved parties on your behalf. Taking this weight off your shoulders could provide you with peace of mind.
Our Attorneys Can Litigate Your Fulton County Case
Personal injury cases frequently conclude with a negotiated settlement between both parties. However, a quick settlement is not an option in every case. In some cases, filing a lawsuit is a necessary step toward fair monetary compensation.
Your attorney could pursue legal action when it is in your best interest. In some cases, this could lead to a settlement, while in others, it could conclude with a jury trial.
You do not have unlimited time to act. According to Georgia’s statute of limitations, O.C.G.A § 9-3-33, you have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in civil court. If you do not meet these deadlines, the court will likely bar your case, leaving you with no option for seeking financial recovery. We can help you get started before it is too late.
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Begin Building Your Bus Accident Case With Kaine Law
The attorneys of Kaine Law are here to help you during this challenging time. When you work with an Atlanta bus accident lawyer from our firm, you can count on legal representation that puts your needs first.
Contact us for a free consultation today and learn more about how we can take your case for no upfront or out-of-pocket fees.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
