Buses are a convenient form of transportation, whether for ferrying passengers or transporting products and goods across locations. Bus drivers, however, are not exempted from driving faults and negligent actions while on the road. Some buses lack proper maintenance, moreover, making them a hazard while navigating public roads and highways.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus accident in Georgia, you are entitled to proper compensation from a negligent driver or through his and her insurance carrier. To help you in the filing of your claim, you need to call a bus accident lawyer near Dunwoody, GA, without delay. Call our personal injury law firm today to learn how we can help.
Bus Accident Statistics in Georgia
Among the various types of motor vehicle crashes that take place all over the country, bus accidents are one of them. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 32,166 fatal motor vehicle crashes recorded for 2016 in the United States. These deadly collisions, moreover, took the lives of some 37,461 people.
The NHTSA has listed some of the risky driver behaviors that resulted in these fatal traffic crashes. Some of those listed are drunk driving, distracted driving, seatbelt noncompliance, speeding, DUI, and others.
In 2017, a church bus carrying dozens of students overturned in Georgia, resulting in the injuries of passengers and claiming the life of one student. In the same year, a school bus in Georgia crashed into a tree, resulting in the death of a 5-year-old girl. More recently, in January 2018, another school bus overturned in Georgia, this time claiming the life of a 6-year-old.
While there may be various causes to these accidents, including driving fault and poor engine maintenance, negligence remains to be a crucial factor in many fatal bus collisions. Anyone who has been hurt in a bus crash should consult with a bus wreck lawyer immediately in order to start the filing of compensation claims.
In cases of gross driver negligence or malicious intent, which may result in amputation or death, a plaintiff and his or her bus accident lawyer may file for punitive charges against an irresponsible driver in Dunwoody, GA.
Bus Accident Compensation and How a Bus Wreck Lawyer Can Help
Due to the size of buses, any bus accident can easily result in serious injuries and even wrongful death. When a bus smashes into a tree or overturns, its driver and passengers are easily put at risk.
Similarly, if a bus collides with a motor vehicle, a motorcycle, or hits a pedestrian, the damages could be far from simple. Victims can suffer from broken bones, dislocations, and even loss of limbs and death.
This makes the filing of a bus accident compensation claim highly important. The compensation amount that you obtain may be used to take care of medical expenses, loss of working wages, and others.
When it comes to seeking compensation, your personal injury lawyer near Dunwoody will be able to guide on which types of compensation may be entitled to you.
Economic Damages
These types of compensation take care of financial damages as a result of the bus accident. Some of the types of economic damages include hospital expenses, surgery and rehabilitation costs, loss of present and future wages, and the loss of the ability to perform a specific kind of work. To support the calculation for this kind of compensation, your bus accident lawyer will have to compile your medical records, employment records, as well as physician recommendations for possible long-term care.
Non-Economic Damages
Car accident lawyers may also recommend that you seek for noneconomic compensation in order to take care of less specific damages. Unlike economic losses, which are readily calculable, noneconomic damages are more subjective and, therefore, not easily quantified. However, a trusted bus accident attorney will possess the necessary knowledge on how to evaluate such general losses. The amount will aim to compensate you for the injury, disfigurement, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life as a result of the accident.
If the bus accident resulted in your losing a loved one, you might be compensated for this loss, or the loss of companionship of a spouse, parent, or child due to the accident.
According to different state laws, there may be a limit as to how much you can claim for noneconomic losses. It is important for your lawyer to explain these things to you fully and clearly.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are awarded to plaintiffs who have had to suffer severe impairment or even wrongful death in the hands of a negligent individual. If the bus accident has been the intentional work of a guilty party, or if the grossly negligent act has resulted in your heavy losses, you may also seek, along with your bus accident lawyer, for punitive damages.
There are several crucial factors, moreover, which affect your ability to claim for full compensation in Georgia. Bus accident lawyers will also consider your shared negligence in the accident. Depending on state laws, your own percentage of liability in an accident may affect your entitlement to full or even partial compensation.
A bus accident attorney can help you in compensation matters, as you focus on recuperating from your injuries or as you take care of an injured loved one. Whether you wish to work on a settlement or to pursue litigation against a negligent party, your bus wreck lawyer should be committed to your case from start to finish.
Should My Bus Accident Lawyer Go for a Settlement or a Lawsuit?
Depending on the circumstances of your case, your bus accident attorney may help you with settlement discussions or courtroom litigation. You need bus accident lawyers who are prepared for the job, regardless of the route you take.
Both a settlement and a lawsuit will have their pros and cons. The advantages to a settlement, as what a bus accident lawyer will tell you, is that there will be no need for a lengthy trial. Since drivers are typically required to carry liability insurance in case they hurt someone on the road, you may seek compensation either directly through the driver or his or her insurance carrier.
You may have a better chance at higher compensation during settlement talks when you have a bus wreck lawyer beside you. While insurance companies are meant to offer protection, they may also attempt to reduce the amount entitled to you. They may do this by reinterpreting the facts of the case or by accusing you of shared liability. In shared liability, your compensation can be reduced according to the percentage of your negligence in the accident.
With the representation of a bus accident lawyer, however, you are assured of sufficient legal support during settlement talks. One of the complexities in any legal case is that any word you utter may be used against you in the courtroom. When you speak through your legal representation or a bus wreck lawyer, you will no longer have to deal with these often-difficult issues.
The decision of bus accident lawyers to litigate, and not just settle, may be informed by several factors. It is important for a settlement to be favorable to both parties; otherwise, it may be necessary to proceed to court. For a settlement to be favorable, especially to the injured party, it must be able to compensate for all relevant losses resulting from the accident.
You and your bus accident attorney may proceed to file a lawsuit in the event that the negligent driver refuses to cooperate. Although court trials can be lengthy, costly, and stressful, it can be the only necessary route to take, especially after settlement discussions have failed.
Whether you choose to accept a settlement or push through with a court battle, you need bus accident lawyers who are up to the job.
The Need for a Dedicated Bus Accident Attorney for Your Compensation Claim in Georgia
When it comes to choosing a bus wreck lawyer for your case in Dunwoody, GA, there are more than a few factors that you need to consider. It is best to remember that your bus accident attorney is going to represent you in all your legal discussions as well as in court.
To ensure that you are well-represented, you need to choose a bus wreck lawyer who can commit to your case from beginning to end.
- Ability to connect with experts. It is crucial for your bus accident attorney to have access to experts who may corroborate with certain circumstances of your case. Additionally, some damages can be difficult to quantify, as in the case of certain non-economic losses. Or, you may require the expertise of other professionals, such as physicians, in order to support any claim of serious injury. Thus, you need a bus accident lawyer prepared to consult with other experts as the need arises.
- Resources for evidence collection and investigation. The establishment of negligence is crucial if you must collect compensation. Without necessary evidence, furthermore, proving any claim for negligence can be a challenge. It is important for your bus wreck lawyer to have the resources needed in collecting evidence and pursuing an investigation. You need all the evidence possible in order to prove negligence in another driver.
- Willingness to go to trial if needed.
If you have a bus accident lawyer who is too eager to settle with your case, this could be a red flag. A settlement can be beneficial, but it will not always be the best solution for every case. Sometimes, an attorney will advise you to settle, even if the proposed compensation does not aim to reimburse you in full. When the circumstances call for it, your bus accident lawyer should have the ability to fight for your right to full compensation in court whenever necessary.
In addition, a trusted bus accident lawyer should be able to determine which parties may be held liable in a collision. A bus accident can take place in various ways, such as a bus-to-bus collision, a bus-to-car crash, bus-pedestrian accidents, bus malfunction, and others. The liable parties in a bus accident may be either or several of the following:
The bus driver and his or her employer
Some collisions take place because the driver has been negligent or has been unable to exercise the expected duty of care to his or her passengers. The driver may be liable to pay for accident compensation to the injured party if his or her negligence is proven.
Since the government is usually the employer of public buses, holding them accountable for driver error or negligence is usually difficult. In this case, you will need to consult with a bus accident lawyer to determine the best course of action to take.
The driver of another motor vehicle
If the bus crash occurred because of the negligence of another driver, s/he can be held accountable for the accident. It is possible to seek for compensation from the other driver, through his or her insurance company, or through the employer of the driver, if applicable.
A bus parts manufacturer
The manufacturer of bus parts or the company responsible for the construction of the buses in question may be held liable if it is proven that defective parts have been the primary reason for the accident.
Work with a Bus Accident Lawyer Near Dunwoody for your Compensation Claim
Bus accident compensation claims can be complex, especially in the case of public transportation buses or multi-vehicle collisions. It can be difficult for you to establish negligence if the government is an employer or if more than one vehicle is involved. For this, you need the dedicated help of a bus accident lawyer in Georgia.
If you have been hurt in a bus accident near Dunwoody, GA, talk to us at The Weinstein Firm. We have the bus accident attorney available to help you with your accident compensation claim.
Don’t let your injuries keep you from recovering fully from a bus accident. Call (770) HELP-NOW to work with us at The Weinstein Firm for your compensation claim today in Georgia.
