People often take for granted that bus drivers will always drive safely and predictably, and that they can rely on getting from point A to point B without trouble. That doesn’t always happen, though. Sometimes, something goes wrong, and drivers and passengers are involved in a bus crash.
When someone else was at fault for your damages, they could be held liable for their negligence. That’s where a personal injury lawyer in Acworth from John Foy & Associates can help. By investigating your crash and negotiating with the insurance company, an attorney can help you along the road to recovery.
Is It Worth Getting an Accident Lawyer?
Yes, it’s often worth getting a lawyer for an accident, especially if you were involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault. That’s because, after a bus crash or any other motor vehicle accident, damages like medical bills and lost work can add up, and a lawyer could be able to get compensation for those damages.
Part of the reason that it’s often worth hiring a bus accident attorney in Acworth is the fact that, if you hire a lawyer who works on a contingency-fee basis, you don’t pay anything up front. Contingency fees come as a portion of your compensation, so you don’t have to worry about paying more for a lawyer than you get from your settlement.
However, people who try to skip getting a lawyer altogether for their claim often find that it may not be worth it to pursue compensation alone. That’s because insurance companies, the other party’s lawyers, and other predatory parties will try to reduce how much you get. A skilled attorney can keep them from taking advantage of you.
If you’re not sure how a lawyer can help you, you can get a free consultation with someone from our firm who can talk you through your bus accident claim. A personal injury attorney from John Foy & Associates can assess your situation and tell you what your options are.
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Bus Crashes Are Different than Other Motor Vehicle Accidents
Normal car accidents are often relatively clean-cut, with one or more drivers who are responsible for a crash and a clear sequence of events. Bus accidents are more complex.
One reason bus accidents are often more complicated to file a claim for is that they involve more parties. The fact that buses make frequent stops and must swerve through traffic, in addition to their sheer size, means that they often hit more vehicles than a car would. Plus, the passengers on the bus may also be injured.
The more parties involved, the harder it is to prove your claim. That complication is made harder by the fact that there are often more damages in a bus accident–buses often do more harm than smaller vehicles. A skilled attorney will be able to cut through the confusion and prove exactly how much you are owed for your accident.
Are Bus Drivers Liable for Accidents?
Because of the complicated nature of bus accidents, it can often be more difficult to find out who is actually liable for your damages. In many cases, that can be the bus driver. Careless bus drivers are often the root of accidents, especially when they engage in the following actions:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Fatigued driving
- Driving aggressively
- Failing to look when changing lanes or turning
If a bus driver in any way fails to uphold the standard of care, which is the duty that anyone in a certain profession can reasonably be expected to follow, they are considered negligent. Bus drivers are not always the only negligent party, though.
Sometimes, a bus driver’s manager or company can set an unreasonable schedule or expect their employees to meet unrealistic expectations. It may be the case that the company, rather than the driver, is responsible. It could also be true that a manufacturer of faulty machinery or a negligent mechanic was responsible for your crash.
No matter who was responsible or how many parties are liable, anyone at fault should be held accountable. A bus accident lawyer in Acworth can help make sure the negligent party faces repercussions and pays you back for your damages.
Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for Bus Accident Claims
You don’t have very long to wait to file your bus accident claim. Georgia’s statute of limitations for bus accidents, or the deadline by which you have to take action, is two years, according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 9-3-33. If you don’t file your claim by that time, there is a good chance that you’ll lose any claim to compensation.
Two years may seem like plenty of time to get your claim in order, but there are some factors that make your window of opportunity shorter. For one, evidence fades, and it’s best to start investigating as soon as possible. Plus, there is a chance that your deadline could be much shorter, even weeks from the date of your accident.
That’s why it’s best to get in touch with an attorney as soon as you can. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to prove your case, and the slimmer your chances will be of getting the full settlement that you deserve.
Talk to a Bus Accident Attorney in Acworth for Free
No matter who caused your bus accident, if someone else was at fault, you shouldn’t have to pay for their mistake. The Acworth bus accident lawyers at John Foy & Associates can help hold them responsible and get you compensation for medical bills, pain, suffering, and more.
We’ve been serving accident victims in Georgia for years, and we offer no-fee initial consultations. To get your FREE consultation with one of our attorneys, call us or contact us online today. We’re available 24/7 and want to talk about your case.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
