Bus Accident and Lawsuit Attorneys
Passengers rely on bus companies and operators every day, and one simple mistake could cost the lives of everyone on board. Bus accident tragedies change the lives of families every year.
Whether it’s for a faster commute or to personally combat climate change, more Americans are choosing public transit as a preferred mode of transportation. Despite their overall safety features, school buses, intercity buses and public rail systems are not immune to accidents. Both vehicle occupants and pedestrians can fall victim to a sudden collision.
If you are injured on a public transportation carrier, such as a bus, light-rail, subway, or school bus, you could be entitled to seek justice for your pain and suffering. Public transportation and national bus companies have large insurance and legal defense teams ready to protect the monetary interest of their companies. They will most likely offer a low-ball settlement. Hiring a personal injury attorney can make all the difference in getting the compensation you deserve.
What is the difference between a Bu and a Car Accidents?
The first noticeable difference between buses and cars is the sheer size and weight of a bus. In terms of a head-on collision, a bus weighing nearly 50,000 lbs. could easily total a small sedan, and completely decimate a human body. Most buses don’t have seat belts. This increases the chances of being injured if a crash should occur.
Other than the size of the vehicles involved, bus and car accidents differ in terms of liability. In an auto accident, the drivers involved are liable in the event of injury. When the bus involved is a public transit carrier, the state is responsible for injuries to passengers.
On the other hand, major bus operators, such as Greyhound or Amtrak, are legally required to carry a multi-million-dollar liability insurance policy. If you are injured riding a bus in their fleet, most likely they will offer you a settlement at the lowest price-point possible. Often this amount is not nearly enough to cover the costs of a full recovery. This practice isn’t in the best interest of bus accident victims. For this reason, it is always a good idea to consult with an attorney before agreeing to or signing anything from another party’s insurance carrier.
Common Bus Accident Injuries.
During a collision, the combination of a lack of safety restraints with the size and weight of the vehicle means that passengers can sustain serious injuries. Buses also run a high-risk for roll-overs, which can lead to severe injuries. Common bus accident injuries include:
- Broken and/or dislocated bones
- Lacerations
- Back sprains
- Neck strains
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord trauma
- Amputation
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Wrongful Death
How to File a Bus Accident Claim?
The process for filing an accident claim depends on the type of bus involved. Time constraints are an important consideration for both privately owned buses and government funded transit systems.
Accidents involving public transit have a very limited filing period: six months from the date of incident. This allows the government to investigate the incident and offer a settlement out of court. Missing the filing deadline means you forfeit the right pursue a lawsuit. Your file or claim must contain the following information:
The name of the liable party or parties
A detailed account of the time, place and circumstances of the accident
The name and address of the person submitting the claim
Contact a Bus Accident Lawyer
Our bus accident attorneys serve Roswell, Marletta, Atlanta and all of Georgia with the expertise necessary to generate successful outcomes for our clients. You can view our settlement and case results by clicking here. Contact us to receive a free evaluation of your case by one of our bus accident lawyers.
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