Every day, thousands of people in the Atlanta metro area are transported by The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) trains and buses. The drivers, train operators, and MARTA officers are responsible for ensuring the safety of passengers and property, and while accidents are rare, they still happen. An Atlanta MARTA accident lawyer can help you recover damages if you get injured on a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority vehicle in any way, including, but not limited to:
- Bus accelerating before passengers can get seated
- Bus takes turns too sharply or engages in other reckless driving
- Bus stops too harshly
- Bus stops too far from the curb, causing you to trip and fall when boarding or exiting
- Negligent security at a MARTA train platform
- Poorly maintained stairs, escalator or other MARTA property
If you or a loved one gets injured as a result of a MARTA train or bus accident, you should contact an Atlanta personal injury attorney immediately. These cases have strict timeframes for filing suits and the MARTA accident attorneys at The Weinstein Firm can navigate the complex process for you. Call our office today at (770)HELP-NOW to receive a risk-free consultation with the best MARTA lawyers in Atlanta.
What Should I Do If I Got Injured in a MARTA Bus Accident in Atlanta?
The first thing you need to do is inform the bus driver that you or a loved one got injured in the accident. The driver will then report the accident to the police, and a report of the accident will be filed. In the immediate aftermath, you should gather as much pertinent information as possible. It is important to gather names and contact information from other passengers that witnessed the accident. This may be helpful if the case goes to trial.
When the police arrive, check to make sure that they put your name on the report. There are often many people involved in a bus accident, and without your name on the report, it can be difficult to process your case. With so many parties involved, filing a bus accident lawsuit can be a complicated process. A Georgia MARTA accident lawyer will help guide you through the process.
Common Injuries Resulting from Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Accidents
Due to the sheer size and population of the MARTA buses and trains, riders can suffer serious injuries while on them. Bus and train accidents are not only a threat to riders but also pedestrians near the vehicles. Common injuries resulting from a bus or train accident include:
- Burns
- Head and brain injuries
- Fractured bones
- Strains and sprains
- Back, neck and spine injuries
- Internal injuries
- Paralysis
At The Weinstein Firm, our MARTA accident attorneys have worked cases involving public transportation accidents that resulted in some of the injuries listed above. No matter how your injury occurred or the severity of it, our MARTA accident lawyers will work to protect your interests and obtain the compensation you deserve.
When Should I Contact an Atlanta MARTA Accident Lawyer?
You should contact a MARTA accident attorney right away if you got injured in a bus accident in Atlanta, Georgia. Cases involving government entities have shorter timeframes for notification, and you don’t want to get denied access to damages. In addition, cases can be more difficult to build as time goes by because witnesses disappear or their memories fade. You might feel compelled to downplay an injury at the time of an accident, but no matter how trivial it may seem, you should reach out to a MARTA accident lawyer as soon as possible after an incident.
How Does a MARTA Accident Attorney Investigate a Claim?
The MARTA accident lawyers at The Weinstein Firm will work with you to build the best case. As soon as you become a client, we will get started gathering information. First, we will obtain the information that you gathered at the scene. This includes witness names and contact information, as well as the accident details. Our investigators will then obtain the incident reports that the police and bus driver filed. We will also reach out to your witnesses to gather their statements. If you were unable to get a lot of information after the accident, it’s okay. Our Atlanta lawyers can still get the process started and build a case for a lawsuit.
How Are Damages Determined in a MARTA Bus Accident?
In a civil case, you have the right to recover damages for any bodily injury, any necessary and reasonable medical expenses, and income loss due to the injury. A MARTA accident lawyer will also try to obtain damages for pain and suffering that occurred as a result of the train or bus accident. Typically, more severe injuries will lead to greater compensation.
In addition to the damages specified above, you may also be eligible to sue for punitive damages. Punitive damages are additional compensation meant to further punish the responsible party. If they found the driver or operator to be criminally at fault for the accident, a MARTA accident lawyer can also try to recover punitive damages.
A MARTA accident attorney will also look into interstate regulations and laws and check that the company was not in violation of them. Interstate regulations govern how many hours a driver can operate a vehicle and how much sleep they have gotten recently. If the company violated these laws or regulations, MARTA accident attorneys could also go after the company for additional damages.
What Causes Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Accidents?
Just like car accidents, there are a variety of reasons that bus accidents occur. MARTA accident attorneys typically see cases that involve distracted driving, dangerous road conditions, faulty equipment, drunk driving, and another driver’s negligence. It is important to note that these accidents are assessed with more scrutiny. A typical driver texting and driving would not be looked at as harshly as a bus driver doing the same. That is because a bus driver is a commercial driver and are being entrusted to transport passengers. If you get hurt while riding a bus, an Atlanta bus accident lawyer can help you get your deserved compensation.
What Type of Cases Do MARTA Accident Lawyers Typically See?
The Atlanta MARTA accident lawyers at The Weinstein Firm can handle cases involving Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority vehicles, property, and escalators, including:
Bus and Train Accidents
If you get involved in an accident caused by a negligent bus driver or train operator, a MARTA accident lawyer can help file a case. If you were on a bus that got involved in an accident or a loved one got struck by a train, the claim process can be complex. Contact a MARTA attorney today to guide you through the lawsuit.
Negligent Property Maintenance
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit has an obligation to maintain its property in a reasonable state. Elevators, escalators, trains, buses, stairs, bus stops, platforms, and other property should be regularly inspected for damage or other issues. If MARTA fails to reasonably maintain their property, they can be liable for any accidents that occur as a result. A premises liability lawyer can review your case to determine if a poorly maintained property was the reason behind your injury.
Poor Security
MARTA must take steps to reasonably protect riders from danger. This includes particularly unsafe areas in Atlanta where riders were assaulted or killed. If you or a loved one was assaulted or killed on a MARTA train, bus, platform, or stop, a negligent security lawyer in Atlanta may be able to hold them accountable for damages.
At The Weinstein Firm, our MARTA accident attorneys will provide personal representation focused on helping you obtain compensation for damages. We will hold all appropriate parties responsible and help you move forward after your bus or train accident.
How Are MARTA Accidents Different Than Commercial Bus Accidents?
Accidents involving the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority buses or trains must get handled differently than those with commercial vehicles or charter buses. You will want to get a MARTA accident lawyer involved right away because claims against a city, county, or state require that notice is provided within a short time period. The case will then go through a waiting period before a civil lawsuit can commence.
MARTA accident attorneys are aware of the procedures for filing a suit against a government entity. They will work to obtain “permission” to sue the government and follow the complicated process to seek recovery of damages. Due to the complexity of the lawsuit process when dealing with a government entity, it is important to have a MARTA accident lawyer involved from the start. A delay in the claim process initiation can make it more difficult for a MARTA accident attorney to obtain the damages you are entitled to.
Who Can I Sue After a MARTA Accident in Atlanta, Georgia?
There may be more than one party responsible for an accident when you get injured. Depending on the situation, in addition to the bus driver, the city entity or bus line may also be held responsible for the accident. Were the roads slippery, or did the city or bus line hire a poor candidate? Had the bus driver had other incidents that the city or line was aware of prior to this accident? Did they hire a bus driver that had a subpar driving record or failed drug tests?
If another vehicle was involved in the accident, there can also be another driver at fault that is accountable. With so many factors to take into consideration, it is important to contact a MARTA accident attorney to work your case. MARTA accident attorneys are knowledgeable in the laws pertaining to bus accident lawsuits and can work to obtain the highest amount of compensation possible for you.
Can I File a Wrongful Death Suit in an Atlanta MARTA Accident?
Yes, you can file a wrongful death suit in response to a MARTA accident. If a loved one got killed in a bus or train accident, a MARTA accident attorney can review your case to determine if it is viable. If the death occurred as a result of negligence or criminal activity, the MARTA accident attorneys at The Weinstein Firm can help you through the process of filing a lawsuit and collecting damages.
School Bus Accidents in Atlanta, Georgia
Accidents that involve a school bus are similar to other bus accidents. Your child should immediately report any injury to the bus driver or bus aide. You should also have them describe the injury to you in as much detail as possible. If your child got injured as a result of the driver’s fault or negligence, then there might be a case for a MARTA accident lawyer to follow up on.
If this injury occurs on a school bus, a MARTA accident attorney may come upon the issue of sovereign immunity. This means that a government entity cannot get sued unless they agree to it. Most communities purchase additional insurance to cover cases like this, but a MARTA accident lawyer might still need to get involved. As a parent, if you carry Uninsured Motorist coverage, a MARTA accident attorney may be able to obtain damages from your personal insurance company as well. The bottom line is that the MARTA accident lawyers at The Weinstein Firm will go after any responsible party, following up on any insurance policy that may apply to your bus accident case.
Contact an Atlanta MARTA Accident Lawyer at The Weinstein Firm Today!
If you or a loved one sustained an injury in a MARTA bus or train accident, you need to contact a MARTA accident attorney to recover damages. An Atlanta MARTA accident lawyer at The Weinstein Firm can help you through the complex process of filing a lawsuit against the government entity. With the help of our Atlanta attorneys, you can recoup medical and transportation expenses, obtain compensation for pain and suffering, and recoup lost wages. If you become injured on the Atlanta public transportation system, it is important to act immediately. There are strict timelines and procedures to follow in order to successfully recover damages and a MARTA accident lawyer can guide you through the process.
Call The Weinstein Firm at (770)HELP-NOW to receive a risk-free case review with our expert MARTA attorneys. They know all of the ins and outs of fighting for compensation against the transit authority and will not rest until you get the compensation you deserve.
