Bainbridge
Bus Accident Lawyer

Bus travel is generally safe. However, accidents do happen. If you or a family member is injured or sustains property damage from a bus accident in Bainbridge, it is in your best interest to consult with a Bainbridge personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Determining who is responsible for your injuries and knowing how to sue those parties for damages can be challenging after any motor vehicle accident, but these processes can be even more complicated after a bus accident. Your attorney from John Foy & Associates will know how to make those determinations, will take your case through the legal system, and will seek the maximum financial award.

Your Bainbridge Bus Accident Lawyer Understands Georgia’s Bus Laws

Accidents that occur in vehicles under government authority, such as schools or public country or city busses, are more subject to laws than accidents involving privately owned vehicles. After an accident, put your energy into recovery, not trying to learn and navigate complex laws that affect your settlement. Trust your case to your bus accident lawyer in Bainbridge.

Shortened Time for Filing Your Claim

In Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing a claim after an injury is usually two years. There are circumstances that reduce that time period, such as if you are filing a claim for an accident with a city or county vehicle. In that situation, you only have six months to file. If your claim is for an accident with a state vehicle, the statute of limitations is one year.

Sovereign Immunity Laws Can Affect Your Claim

Under sovereign immunity laws, a government entity can only be sued if that government gives consent to the lawsuit. Georgia is a sovereign immunity state.

The citizens of Georgia voted to waive sovereign immunity in November 2020. This means that government entities in Georgia can be sued even if they have not given consent to the lawsuit. If you have been harmed in an accident with a government-operated vehicle, you do not need the government’s permission to sue.

Even so, the process of suing governments or government entities is complex, often requiring additional steps. For example, you may have to fulfill administrative processes before heading to the courtroom, giving the government an opportunity to make restoration without going through a formal lawsuit. 

Busses Owned by Private Companies

If you are a passenger in a bus owned by a private company during an accident, you should still consult a Bainbridge bus accident attorney. Private companies have powerful legal representation and insurance companies whose goal is to protect the bus company’s finances and pay victims as little as possible.

How a Lawyer Can Help with Bainbridge School Bus Accident Claims

The Decatur County school bus system transports over 7,000 students to and from school every day. Additionally, the system provides transportation for sports, extracurricular activities, other special school-related events, and after-school programs. The system and all bus operators have a duty of care to the students riding those buses.

What Is Duty of Care?

Under their legal duty of care, the school system, bus drivers, and bus companies are obligated to avoid behaviors or actions that put the students on their buses in danger. Thankfully, school systems, bus operators, and bus companies generally take this duty of care seriously.

Should an accident, unfortunately, occur because of a breach in this duty of care, your Bainbridge bus accident lawyer will hold responsible parties accountable and fight a fair settlement. If the school system did not train drivers appropriately, or the bus driver did not follow safe driving practices or traffic laws, there is a breach of duty of care. If bus companies do not properly maintain their buses and a malfunction causes an accident, the bus company has breached its duty of care. 

All drivers owe a duty of care to other vehicles and pedestrians on the road. Even if another negligent driver caused the accident, your attorney can work to hold that driver responsible for a similar breach. 

Compensation Your Lawyer Can Pursue

The aftermath of a bus accident will likely include injury, property damage, and emotional trauma. You deserve compensation for these consequences.

Bus accident injuries can be severe, preventing you from working, going to school, or carrying out daily activities and responsibilities. Your bus accident attorney in Bainbridge will pursue comprehensive compensation to mitigate these losses, including

• Coverage for medical expenses, both current and future care
• Recovery of lost wages for time taken off work
• Recovery of future earnings if you cannot work in the same capacity as you did before your accident
• Restoration of damaged property

Additionally, you can count on your Bainbridge bus accident lawyer to seek financial awards for your physical, psychological, and emotional pain and suffering, and reduced quality of life.

Why You Need a Bainbridge Bus Accident Lawyer

After a bus accident, you may be offered an immediate settlement by the responsible parties. Most likely, this settlement is less than you deserve. However, you need evidence and legal skill to negotiate and fight for the compensation you are entitled to. With an expert lawyer from John Foy & Associates fighting for you, you be can confident of the following:

• Your claim will be filed on time
• Your claim will be filed according to all legal structures and requirements
• Your attorney will build your case with thorough evidence and witness testimony
• Your attorney will fight for the maximum settlement
• Your attorney will not accept low-ball or unfair settlements 
• Your attorney will not be intimidated or undermined by dishonest insurance companies whose goal is to pay you as little as possible

Contact a Bainbridge Bus Accident Lawyer

John Foy & Associates, known as the “Strong Arm of Georgia,” has a reputation for big wins and for treating clients with compassion and respect. Contact the firm today to speak with a Bainbridge bus accident lawyer. There is absolutely no risk to you. You will not pay any fees until you have won compensation. The sooner you schedule your consultation, the sooner you will see results.