Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyer

Whether your vehicle was struck by a bus or you were a passenger on a bus that was involved in an accident, the sheer size of the bus can result in your injuries being much more severe. If you are recovering from debilitating injuries, attending doctor’s appointments, and worrying about when you will be able to return to work, the added tasks of filing a claim with your insurance and filing a lawsuit against the responsible parties can feel overwhelming. When you work with an Atlanta bus accident lawyer, these tasks will be handled for you so that you can dedicate your full attention to recovering and returning to work.

When Should I Call an Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyer?

You should contact an Atlanta bus accident lawyer as soon as you safely can after the accident. There are deadlines to filing your claim, and you don’t want to miss out on any compensation that you deserve. Also, the longer you wait to talk to a personal injury lawyer, the weaker the evidence can get. Your memory will fade, physical evidence on the vehicles involved will be repaired, and witnesses will forget what they saw. That’s why you need to contact a bus accident lawyer immediately—the sooner, the better.

An Atlanta bus accident attorney will start investigating the accident right away. They’ll collect physical evidence, talk to witnesses, and take down what you remember so you can be prepared if your claim goes to court. They’ll also look into the bus driver and the weather conditions at the time of the accident so that responsibility can be assigned fairly. Finally, your lawyer will fight for fair compensation for you. Insurance companies are not on your side, but a bus accident lawyer knows how to effectively negotiate and will get you a fair sum.

What Happens After a Bus Accident?

Bus accidents tend to be even more devastating than car accidents due to the size of the vehicle, the number of potential victims, and the lack of safety equipment like seatbelts and airbags. Because of the devastation, these cases tend to be more complicated; that’s why after a bus accident—if you are able—you should contact a bus accident lawyer right away.

Get Medical Help

Of course, the first thing you want to do after a bus accident is to seek medical help. Bus drivers are trained to call for help, but if they are injured, you might need to be the person to call 911. This will not only alert first responders that you need help, but it will send the police who will start gathering evidence that might be vital to your case.

Further, some injuries may not be immediately apparent or may seem minor at first glance. However, certain hidden injuries, such as brain injuries and internal bleeding, can be fatal if left untreated. That’s why even if you feel okay, you should, at the very least, get checked out by your doctor. If your head, neck, or back hurts, make sure you get the necessary tests to check if there’s any damage and to build a link between the accident and your injuries.

Document and Collect Evidence

Do your best to document what you can. Get the names and contact information of other victims and the driver. When your lawyer investigates the accident, this will all be helpful information.

If there are any witnesses on the scene, get their information as well; they may have useful information. Remember, your health is the first priority, so only get the contact information that you can.

Consult a Lawyer Before Speaking to Insurance

Lastly, don’t sign anything from the insurance company without a lawyer present. Bus companies usually have insurance policies that cover all the passengers and may offer you much less of a payout than you deserve. Always ensure that you talk to your lawyer before agreeing to anything from the insurance company as they are always interested in saving money.

What Are the Most Common Bus Accident Injuries?

Injuries sustained in a bus accident can vary in severity, depending on how fast the bus was traveling, whether the bus rolled, and what caused the accident. Some injuries commonly seen after a bus accident include:

Whiplash

Whiplash is caused when your neck snaps back and then quickly forward, causing injuries such as sprains and strains to muscles and herniated or slipped discs. Due to the lack of seatbelts on buses, this type of injury is common and can be extremely painful.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Any damage to the brain can be devastating to your health and standard of living. Because of the size of a bus, people may be thrown all over the vehicle when an accident happens, and brain injuries are common. Not only do brain injuries require immediate medical help, but you may also require some form of help permanently. A bus accident attorney will ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Broken Bones

Minor breaks may require splinting or a cast, but severe fractures will need to be repaired surgically with plates and screws. Broken bones are not only painful but can cause time out of work. You deserve compensation for not only your pain but for your lost wages.

Internal Injuries

Spine injuries are the most common injury in bus accidents, but there can be a variety of internal injuries that may occur, such as internal bleeding from damaged organs, which is why you should seek medical help as soon as you can after the accident. These injuries can be insidious, and if they are overlooked, they may cause permanent disability and even death.

Who Is Responsible for My Bus Accident Injuries?

In Georgia, there is a stricter standard of care for common carriers, that is, people who offer rides for money. It is possible that the bus driver’s employer may be partially at fault if the bus is found to have not been properly maintained. A bus accident lawyer will look at the condition of the bus, how the driver operated the bus, and the weather conditions at the time of the accident so that responsibility can be assigned to the right person and you can be fairly compensated by the liable party.

Top-Rated Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyer Near You

Don’t let the bus company’s insurance company try to shortchange you. You deserve to receive the maximum possible compensation for the injuries you sustained. When you work with an Atlanta bus accident attorney, you can rest assured that your legal team will work tirelessly to secure a fair settlement and bring your case to trial if necessary. Schedule your free case review straight away.