Were you injured in a collision with a bus driver? At Jones & Swanson, our attorneys understand that the aftermath of this type of crash can be stressful and overwhelming. However, you don’t have to figure anything out by yourself with our bus accident lawyers in Decatur by your side.
As a firm that has been practicing personal injury law since 1995, we have won more than $50 million for our clients. With over 50 years of combined experience, our Decatur personal injury lawyers will advocate for your rights.
Georgia Law Recognizes Duties Owed to Bus Passengers
Georgia law gives passengers on covered passenger carriers an important protection. Under O.C.G.A. § 46-9-132, a carrier of passengers has a duty to exercise “extraordinary diligence” to protect the lives and persons of its passengers.
Georgia courts have applied this standard to bus operators, including cases involving injuries caused during bus operation. This duty is important when an injured person was riding the bus at the time of the accident. A passenger does not control the bus, its speed, its braking, the driver’s decisions, or the condition of the vehicle.
Evidence about how the bus was operated therefore becomes an important part of determining whether the carrier met its legal obligations. Your Decatur bus accident lawyer will determine whether the applicable legal duty was breached and whether that breach caused your injuries.
Liability Depends on How the Crash Happened
Potentially responsible parties in a bus accident case include:
- A bus driver
- A private bus company
- A school system
- A transportation contractor
- Another motorist
- A vehicle owner
- Another party whose negligence contributed to the accident
A bus driver’s conduct could be relevant when speeding, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, following too closely, impaired driving, unsafe turns, or other negligent conduct contributed to the collision.
The bus operator could also face responsibility when an issue involving maintenance, inspection, training, supervision, or another business practice contributed to the crash.
If another motorist caused the collision, that driver’s insurance coverage could become part of the claim. In some cases, more than one party will have contributed to the accident. Our bus accident lawyers in Decatur will identify all parties connected to the accident.
Evidence Helps Establish Who Was Responsible
Bus accident claims often depend on evidence that tells the story of what happened. Your account of the accident matters, but it is not necessarily the only evidence available. Depending on the circumstances, these are examples of evidence that may be relevant in your case:
- Police reports and crash reports
- Photographs of the vehicles and accident scene
- Bus or traffic-camera footage
- Statements from passengers and other witnesses
- Driver records
- Vehicle maintenance and inspection records
- Transportation company records
- Medical records and treatment documentation
- Employment and wage records
- Accident reconstruction evidence
- Roadway, traffic-control, or intersection information
The investigation also needs to connect the evidence to your injuries. It is not enough to establish that a bus accident occurred. The claim needs evidence showing that the accident caused your injuries and that those injuries resulted in actual losses.
That connection is particularly important when an insurer questions the seriousness of an injury or argues that a condition existed before the crash. Medical records, treatment history, and other documentation can help establish what changed after the accident.
The Two-Year Deadline is Important in Georgia Injury Claims
Georgia generally gives injured people two years to bring an action for personal injuries, subject to statutory exceptions. O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 states that actions for injuries to the person generally must be brought within two years after the right of action accrues.
This deadline shouldn’t be treated as a target date for beginning a claim. Other deadlines and procedural requirements could apply depending on who caused the accident and whether a governmental entity is involved.
There are also circumstances that affect how a limitation period operates, so the date of the accident alone does not answer every question about a particular claim. A timely investigation gives our Decatur bus accident lawyers the opportunity to adequately work on your case.
Contact Jones & Swanson Today for Legal Help From Our Bus Accident Attorneys in Decatur
Being injured in a bus accident can make you feel like you’re powerless over a situation that wasn’t your fault in the first place. You didn’t determine the driver’s decisions, the condition of the bus, the conduct of other drivers, or the circumstances that caused the crash.
Likewise, you shouldn’t have to handle the legal issues that stem from the incident without help. At Jones & Swanson, personal service is central to the way we represent our clients. We are a hometown firm serving those in DeKalb County and beyond.
Our Decatur bus accident law firm focuses on developing professional relationships, not treating you like a case number. With us by your side, you can expect dedicated and compassionate advocacy paired with honest, straightforward advice. Call us today for assistance.
