Every day in Savannah, thousands of children and adults ride buses to get to school or work or just to see the sites of the beautiful, historic city. If you or a loved one have been injured or experienced property damage because of a bus accident, contact a Savannah bus accident attorney right away.
You or your loved one may be entitled to compensation for injuries or damage to property. A personal injury lawyer in Savannah can help you seek and win the highest possible financial settlement.
Why You Need to Contact a Savannah Bus Accident Attorney Right Away
It’s always best to seek legal advice soon after an accident or injury. Your attorney can start building a case carefully and promptly so you can see financial relief sooner. However, if you are filing a claim against the government, perhaps after an accident with a government-owned bus, it’s especially important to seek immediate legal advice from John Foy & Associates.
Shorter Statute of Limitations for Filing Claims Against the Government
Though the Georgia statute of limitations for filing claims after an injury is two years, some factors shorten that time period. For example, if you’re filing against a city or county vehicle, you have six months to file the claim. If you have been injured in an accident with a state vehicle, you have one year. By consulting with a lawyer immediately after the accident, you’ll be sure the claim is filed on time.
Sovereign Immunity and What It Means for Your Claim
Sovereign Immunity means a government can only be sued if that government itself gives consent to that lawsuit. In November 2020, Georgia’s citizens voted to waive sovereign immunity, meaning government entities in Georgia can be sued without giving their consent for the lawsuit.
However, the procedure for suing the government, or government entities, is more complicated than suing a private citizen or entity. Along with the shorter statute of limitations for filing a claim, you may also need to complete other administrative processes outside of the court system to give the government the opportunity to make restitution without going through a lawsuit.
Even if those administrative processes do not resolve your claim or lead to a settlement, completing them is a requirement. These specific and complicated legal processes are best left in the hands of your expert Savannah bus accident attorney from John Foy & Associates.
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What to Do After a Bus Accident
Collect as much evidence as possible in the immediate aftermath of the accident. Of course, if you are severely injured or have experienced head trauma, do not move until you have been treated by emergency services. Make sure the accident is reported to the police. If you are able, take pictures or video from the scene of the accident and of your injuries. Gather contact information from witnesses.
Get medical attention even if you do not think your injuries are severe. The effects of some injuries appear gradually. Returning to normal activities too quickly could put you in danger of greater injury and damage your case if you are seen as responsible for causing further injury to yourself.
Your Savannah bus accident attorney will use the evidence you have gathered to start building your case.
Why You Should Consult a Savannah Bus Accident Lawyer
When you put your child on a school bus, you expect them to be safe. Fortunately, they usually are. Accidents can still happen, though, and if your child is injured in a school bus accident, they deserve compensation. A lawyer from John Foy & Associates will handle your child’s case with great care and in your child’s best interest.
Duty of Care
School systems and bus drivers have a duty of care to the children who ride their school buses. Simply stated, they have an obligation to refrain from behaviors that would put the passengers under their care in danger.
If your child is harmed in a school bus accident, your bus accident attorney in Savannah will investigate the cause. If the school system or bus driver or bus company did not fulfill their duty of care, they can be held accountable for compensation.
For example, the breach of duty may be on the school system for failing to train their drivers, on the driver for failing to follow the rules of the road, or on bus companies for failing to maintain their vehicles. If another driver’s or entity’s negligence caused the accident, your attorney can still investigate and work to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Damages You Can Recover After a Savannah Bus Accident
Whether your accident occurs on a private, public, or school bus, the injuries and property damage caused by a bus accident can be severe, taking you away from your job, daily activities, social life, and education either temporarily or long term.
A fair settlement can mitigate some of the accident’s effects, providing compensation for
- Current and future medical expenses and care
- Lost earnings for time taken off work
- Lost future earnings (you may need to work less or stop working altogether, depending on your injuries
- Pain and suffering, physical and emotional
- Diminished quality of life
- Property damage
Insurance companies will not want to pay out the settlement you deserve and need to cover your damages. Your Savannah bus accident attorney from John Foy & Associates, “The Strong Arm of Georgia,” will stand up to these insurance companies and fight for a maximum settlement.
Consult with a Savannah Bus Accident Attorney
Navigating the laws applying to bus accidents is a complicated process, but an expert lawyer can steer you through that process successfully. John Foy & Associates has a history of impressive wins and is known for treating clients with empathy and respect. Trust your case to a member of their winning team.
Your consultation is risk-free. You do not pay any fees until you have won a settlement. Contact John Foy & Associates to speak with a Savannah bus accident lawyer today.
912-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form