City buses are a frequent sight in Hinesville, taking passengers between Walthourville and Fort Stewart. Whether you are riding the bus or sharing the streets in your car or truck, a crash with these large vehicles can have serious consequences. You could suffer injuries and property damage that qualify you for substantial financial compensation.
If you or a loved one are facing doctor bills, lost work, and emotional distress from a crash with a bus, you need the help of an experienced Hinesville bus accident lawyer from John Foy & Associates.
Known as the Strong Arm throughout Georgia, our attorneys have negotiated with insurance companies and fought in the courtroom to obtain over $1 billion in settlements and jury awards for our clients. Our team is dedicated to seeing you secure the justice you deserve.
What to Do After a Bus Accident
Passengers on the bus and in other vehicles can experience pain and confusion in the aftermath of an accident. Even if you think you are ok, you could suffer serious injuries and may be at risk of shock. You should always accept medical care from the first responders at the scene and follow up with your doctor afterward.
Georgia Code §40-6-270 states that all drivers have legal duties after a crash, such as supplying aid to others, remaining at the scene, calling 911 for help, and exchanging contact information. Most people instinctively want to apologize or may be angry and want to assign blame, but you must not say anything to anyone that may affect your case. It is easy for insurance companies and attorneys to use your words against you later on.
As soon as you can, contact John Foy & Associates to discuss what happened and how to proceed. Our Hinesville bus accident lawyers can listen to your story, help you understand your options for financial recovery, and connect you with the right doctors to diagnose your injuries. Whether you were on the bus or in a car, we can advise you on how you can prepare for your case by:
- Keeping track of all your expenses
- Obtaining your medical records
- Following your doctor’s orders
- Going to every medical appointment
- Taking medications or going to physical therapy as directed
- Keeping a pain journal to record your recovery
- Speaking with insurance companies only through or with your lawyer
- Avoiding conversations or social media posts about your accident
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What Is My Bus Accident Claim Worth?
The size and weight of a transit or school bus makes it very dangerous in a crash. Even though most buses do not travel above 45 mph in Hinesville, they can cause significant damage to multiple cars and even pedestrians along West Oglethorpe Hwy. If you are injured in a bus crash, medical bills can pile up while you are left unable to work. When someone else is at fault for the accident, you need a skilled bus accident attorney to help you understand what your claim is worth.
Every situation is unique, and even those involved in the same crash will have different injuries and property losses. You must consider your current medical bills and those you could have in the future as symptoms appear over time. With catastrophic injury or death, you and your family must plan for a drastically different life.
In Georgia, you can seek economic damages, which usually have a specific amount, and non-economic damages, which are more subjective. At John Foy & Associates, we are experienced in helping our clients calculate a full list of the losses they face:
- Economic:
- Lost wages when you cannot work
- Past and current medical costs
- Future treatment expenses
- Ambulance bills
- Hospital costs, such as ER, ICU, and surgery
- Travel to medical appointments
- Prescription medications
- Property damage (your car, computer, cell phone, etc.)
- Non-Economic:
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement, amputation, or scarring
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Anxiety, PTSD, and other mood disorders
Victims in Bus Accidents Face Serious Injuries
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that in the 10 years between 2009 and 2019, public transit buses and school buses were the most frequently involved in crashes. Transit buses were part of 34% of collisions, and buses carrying children to school accounted for 39% of accidents. School bus crashes on the rural roads surrounding Hinesville can be especially dangerous if the vehicle runs into a ditch or encounters an impatient driver.
Buses move differently than cars and trucks, pulling in and out of traffic on the main roads and stopping frequently. Although the law dictates that drivers must stop for a stopped school bus, many motorists try to hurry past or are distracted, putting children and others at tremendous risk for injury. The team at John Foy & Associates has handled cases involving rear-end, head-on, sideswipe, and t-bone accidents.
How Can a Bus Accident Lawyer in Hinesville Help Me?
Trying to recover from physical and emotional wounds while worrying about how to provide for your family is overwhelming and upsetting. You need to concentrate on healing but must act quickly to pursue compensation for your losses. Understanding the complex legal system is not a burden you should carry.
Relying on a skilled Hinesville bus accident attorney from John Foy & Associates means that we will do the hard work for you so you can rest. Our team will collect evidence, such as:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Witness testimony
- Expert witness statements
- Photos and video of the accident scene
- Driving records
- Cell phone records
We will also negotiate with insurance adjusters and lawyers to ensure you do not fall prey to their tactics. Insurance companies do not like to pay out claims and will encourage you to accept a low offer quickly so they can close the case. Our team will aggressively push back to get you the fair settlement you need.
Most personal injury claims, such as bus accidents, are settled out of court, but if your case proceeds to trial, our team will be there for you. Our attorneys can create a strong foundation to show you deserve compensation for the harm done to you by another. We will make sure your case is filed within the 2-year statute of limitations, so you do not lose your right to sue.
Contact a Bus Accident Attorney in Hinesville Today
John Foy & Associates is here to help when you need a Hinesville bus accident lawyer. We work hard to help our clients secure the compensation necessary for them to move on with their lives after a bus crash. We listen to your story and litigate forcefully on your behalf while you rest and recover.
Get in touch with our team today. Contact us online and request your free consultation now.
912-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
