Evans
Bus Accident Lawyer

Following a devastating bus accident in Evans, you may be left feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Fortunately, when you have a dedicated legal advocate on your side, you can spend your time and energy on healing while our team focuses on recovering maximum compensation for your damages. When you are ready to schedule a free consultation, reach out to an experienced Evans bus accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates.

How Do Bus Accidents Happen in Evans?

Bus accidents in Evans can occur in a variety of ways. Examining the cause of your bus accident will help your bus accident attorney in Evans to establish liability so you can recover compensation for your damages in full. With that in mind, some of the more common causes of bus accidents include:

Dangerous Road Conditions

Hazardous roads are some of the most common causes of bus accidents in Evans. Whether there are potholes, unsecured road construction zones, missing or defective traffic lights or signs, or other hazards, bus accidents are far more likely. This is particularly true if a bus stop is missing a street indicator, there are insufficient crosswalks, or other dangerous road conditions. 

Government agencies and municipalities who are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the roads in Evans may be held accountable. Road construction workers, contractors, and subcontractors, and other third parties could also share culpability depending on the specific details of your case.

Motorist Negligence

Driver negligence is a top cause of any type of vehicle or accident. The same is true for bus accident cases. 

Driver negligence can take many forms. Whether the bus driver was drowsy, impaired, distracted, or otherwise driving unsafely, negligent bus drivers and other motorists can be held accountable when they cause collisions. 

However, if the bus driver was negligent in your case, you may also have grounds for legal action against the bus company that hired the bus driver in question.

Defective Bus or Auto Parts

Malfunctioning and defective motor vehicle and bus parts are other common causes of these collisions. When these parts fail to work as intended, they can cause life-threatening and fatal injuries. When auto parts or malfunctioning bus parts cause your bus accident injuries, there are multiple parties who could be at fault, such as:

• Motor vehicle part designers
• Motor vehicle part manufacturers and producers
• Motor vehicle part distributors and suppliers
• Motor vehicle part retailers
• Motor vehicle dealerships
• Bus dealerships
• Bus and motor vehicle safety inspectors
• Bus and motor vehicle maintenance technicians

What Happens if You Share Fault for Your Bus Accident Injuries?

Sharing liability following a bus accident in Evans is more common than you might think. However, sharing liability should not prevent you from recovering compensation for your damages unless your portion of liability exceeds 49%. 

Modified Comparative Negligence System

Georgia operates under a modified comparative negligence system. Here, you are not barred from recovering compensation for your damages if you share liability unless you are more than 49% responsible for causing the accident or your subsequent injuries. Let us look at an example:

Emmett was not wearing his seatbelt when he was hit by a bus. The jury awarded Emmett $5 million for his damages. However, because Emmett was not wearing his seatbelt when he was struck, the judge found him 5% responsible for his injuries. Emmett‘s injury settlement of $5 million was reduced by 5%, leaving Emmett with not $5 million but $4,750,000.

As can be seen, sharing culpability for your bus accident injuries could have a substantial impact on the outcome of your case. For this reason, it is imperative that your attorney is by your side to ensure fault is evaluated accurately in your bus accident claim.

How Long Do You Have to File Your Claim?

According to the Georgia statute of limitations, O.C.G.A. §9-3-33, if you were hoping to recover compensation and a bus accident lawsuit, your claim must be filed before the two-year statute of limitations runs out. 

Two years may seem like more than enough time to file a lawsuit. However, two years is not a significant amount of time to pursue your case. Your attorney will need as much time as possible to gather evidence to support your case, establish liability, calculate your damages, and deal with the insurance company, all before bringing your case to trial to get the most out of your claim. 

The sooner we get started on your case, the more likely it is we can recover maximum compensation for your suffering.

What Types of Damages Can You Recover in Your Evans Bus Accident Claim?

Do you have the right to be compensated for every loss when someone else is responsible for causing your bus accident injuries in Evans? Damages can be categorized as economic damages or non-economic damages. Examples of economic damages could include:

• Property damages
• Loss of income
• Healthcare expenses
• Reduced earning potential

Examples of non-economic damages could include:

• Mental anguish
• Chronic pain
• Reputational damage
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium

How Are Bus Accident Settlements Paid Out?

There are two ways you can recover compensation following a bus accident in Evans. Generally, this includes filing a claim with the liable party’s insurance company and bringing your case to trial. 

You should always be prepared to file a lawsuit in addition to an insurance claim. This is because many insurance claims are incapable of providing you with the financial relief you are entitled to. Insurance plans cover specific types and amounts of damages. 

If you suffered losses above and beyond the scope of the policy, the insurance company is not obligated to cover them. The remaining damages could be awarded in your bus accident lawsuit.

Call a Bus Accident Lawyer in Evans for Help Today

Although bus accident insurance and civil claims can be particularly complex, when you have a dedicated Evans bus accident attorney at John Foy & Associates working on your case, you can rest easier. 

Our team will work diligently to uncover liability and bring the at-fault party to justice. Learn more about what your next steps should be when you contact our office for a no-cost, risk-free consultation. Complete our online contact form or call our office to get started today.