If you have been injured in a bus accident, you should contact a competent attorney as soon as possible to ensure that you are appropriately compensated. An attorney will know how to properly handle your case and hold the responsible party liable.
The experienced Athens truck accident attorneys at John Foy & Associates can get you the compensation you deserve.
How a Bus Accident Lawyer in Athens Can Help Your Case
We build a relationship with you for your case from the moment you become our client and keep that partnership until the very end of your case, and even after your case has been resolved. Our bus accident attorneys in Athens can help you in a variety of ways, including:
- Answer any legal questions you may have
- Conduct case discovery by gathering any relevant information
- Conduct settlement negotiations
- Finding the responsible party and holding them liable
- Hiring experts to consult on your case
- Prepare your case for trial
In order to get the proper compensation and have a successful case, it is imperative to speak with an experienced bus accident attorney in Athens to ensure your rights are protected.
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Bus Accidents Involving a School Bus
The at-fault motorist can be cited by police and held legally responsible (“liable”) for the injuries and damages caused by the accident. School districts frequently have auto insurance policies that include special requirements for bus drivers. A school district (or a driving firm contracted by the district) can also be held accountable for the carelessness of a school bus driver because an employer is liable for employees acting within the scope and course of their employment.
The school district is usually the governmental organization that must be sued under Georgia law. Due to the doctrine of sovereign immunity, a school district is immune from such lawsuits unless it has purchased motor vehicle insurance that covers the ownership, operation, maintenance, and use of a motor vehicle such as a school bus in accordance with Georgia law, which allows but does not require it. The policy limit of the policy acquired by the individual school district is the limit for any recovery.
In many instances, multiple people or entities can be involved in the injuries sustained in a bus accident. The responsible parties can include the driver, the employer, another driver, the manufacturer, or even a mechanic who recently serviced the bus. It is always important to take pictures and get statements from witnesses because it will help in establishing who is liable for the accident.
Bus Accidents Involving a City Bus
MARTA, Cobb County Transit (CCT), Gwinnett County Transit (GCT), and Chatham Area Transit are just a few of Georgia’s public transportation options. Every year, millions of people use these bus systems to get to their jobs, homes, school, or public places.
Many of these public transportation services are managed by government entities. As a result, bus accident cases may be subject to additional procedural restrictions, liability limitations due to sovereign immunity, and damages limitations. Those who have been injured in a public transit bus accident may encounter additional difficulties in obtaining compensation because a government entity is involved.
Lawsuits involving city busses and school busses may be similar in the laws and entities involved. Where bus accidents can surprisingly become more complicated, are when private companies are involved because they may be held to stricter regulations or additional regulations.
Bus Accidents Involving a Private Bus Company
Bus accidents involving a private bus can actually be more difficult than accidents involving public busses. Bus businesses and charter buses may be subject to severe federal rules as well as Georgia’s “carrier” legislation. These types of accidents will have federal and state regulations imposed on them, which makes filing lawsuits more challenging.
While all drivers are required to follow the “rules of the road,” commercial drivers who transport persons or products for pay are subject to extra requirements under FMCSA regulations and Georgia carrier legislation. Commercial bus drivers, for example, must meet particular license standards, and bus firms have strict hiring and supervision obligations. Commercial bus drivers are also subject to certain hours-of-service restrictions, and violations of these restrictions can result in increased liability for the driver or the firm.
If a bus driver or bus business broke any of these rules and caused an accident, it may be possible to hold them financially liable for any injuries that followed. A qualified Athens bus accident attorney will be able to evaluate whether a breach of the complicated laws that regulate commercial bus activities contributed to the cause of the bus accident.
Contact the Strong Arm Today to Get Started on Your Bus Accident Claim
Our Athens bus accident lawyers can assist you in determining who is responsible for your accident. When assessing the conduct of the bus driver to establish whether they were careless, we will analyze all options. If a driver or company’s activities result in injuries, they must be held liable.
Whether you were a passenger, pedestrian, or occupant of another vehicle, the Athens bus accident attorneys at John Foy & Associates are here to help you if you were injured in a bus incident.
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