Every day, thousands of people in the Atlanta metro area are transported by The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) vehicles, including buses and trains. The bus drivers, train operators, and MARTA officers are responsible for ensuring the safety of passengers and MARTA property. While severe injuries from MARTA vehicle accidents are rare, they still occur. An experienced Atlanta MARTA accident attorney can assist in recovering damages if you suffer injuries involving MARTA buses or any public transportation accidents under MARTA’s operation. This includes, but is not limited to:
- School bus accidents, where a bus accelerating before passengers are seated can lead to falls.
- MARTA buses taking turns too sharply or engaging in other reckless driving actions.
- Bus stops executed too harshly, causing jolts or falls.
- Bus driver’s actions contributing to an accident by stopping too far from the curb, leading to trips and falls when boarding or exiting.
- Negligent security at MARTA train platforms leading to personal injury.
- Poorly maintained stairs, escalators, or other parts of MARTA property causing accidents.
If you or a loved one are involved in an accident on MARTA property, whether it’s a MARTA train accident or incidents at bus stops, it’s crucial to seek the guidance of an Atlanta personal injury attorney immediately. These cases often involve intricate details about the accident scene, the bus driver’s actions, and potential negligence in maintaining vehicles and property. The MARTA accident attorneys at our firm understand the nuances of cases involving public transportation accidents, including those with lost wages and medical costs considerations. We are adept at handling insurance companies involved in these complex scenarios.
Don’t let the opportunity to seek compensation for your injuries slip away. Contact our office today at (770)HELP-NOW for a risk-free consultation with the top MARTA accident attorneys in Atlanta. We’re experienced in navigating the specifics of MARTA accident cases and are committed to helping you recover the compensation you deserve.
What Should I Do If I Got Injured In A MARTA Bus Accident In Atlanta?
The first thing you need to do after an Atlanta school bus accident or any MARTA vehicle incident is to inform the bus driver that you or a loved one has sustained injuries. The driver is obliged to report the accident to the police, ensuring an official accident report is filed. In the aftermath, it’s crucial to gather as much information as possible. Make sure to collect names and contact details from other passengers, especially those who witnessed the accident. This could be crucial if your personal injury claim involving the MARTA vehicle goes to trial.
When the police arrive, it’s essential to verify that they include your name in the report. Bus accidents, particularly those involving public transportation like MARTA buses, often have multiple parties involved. Without your name on the report, navigating your case through the complexities of insurance companies and legal requirements becomes more challenging. Remember, accidents involving buses, whether it’s a school bus or a MARTA bus, can result in severe injuries, and the legal process can be intricate.
Given the complexities, especially when dealing with accidents on MARTA property or involving MARTA vehicles, consulting an experienced MARTA accident attorney in Georgia is advisable. These attorneys are well-versed in the nuances of public transportation accidents and can efficiently handle the intricacies of your case. They will guide you through the process of filing an accident lawsuit, dealing with insurance companies involved, and ensuring your rights are protected, whether the incident was a MARTA train accident, a school bus mishap, or any other bus-related accident.
Common Injuries Resulting From Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Accidents
Due to the sheer size and population of the MARTA buses and trains in the Atlanta area, riders, as well as pedestrians near these public transportation vehicles, can suffer serious injuries. Accidents involving MARTA vehicles, including other bus accidents and train accidents, pose a significant threat not just to riders but also to those in close proximity to these vehicles. Common injuries resulting from a MARTA bus or train accident, or any public transportation accidents, include:
- Burns, often due to electrical malfunctions or fires on MARTA property.
- Head and brain injuries, which might occur due to sudden stops or collisions.
- Fractured bones from falls inside the bus or train, or collisions with MARTA vehicles.
- Strains and sprains, particularly in accidents involving buses.
- Back, neck, and spine injuries, often a result of jolts and jerks in accidents.
- Internal injuries, which can be severe and require immediate medical attention.
- Paralysis, in extreme cases, due to the severity of the accident.
At The Weinstein Firm, our experienced MARTA accident attorneys have handled a variety of cases involving public transportation accidents on MARTA property, including those on MARTA trains and buses. Our team has dealt with cases involving severe injuries like head injuries, spinal injuries, and even cases of paralysis resulting from MARTA vehicle accidents. Regardless of how your injury occurred or the severity of it, our MARTA accident lawyers are committed to protecting your interests. We understand the complexities of dealing with insurance companies involved in these accidents and will strive to obtain the compensation you deserve for lost wages, medical costs, and other damages.
When Should I Contact An Atlanta MARTA Accident Lawyer?
If you have been injured in a bus accident in Atlanta, Georgia, particularly involving MARTA vehicles or on MARTA property, it is crucial to contact a MARTA accident attorney promptly. Legal cases involving government entities like the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority have shorter timeframes for filing notices of claims, making it essential not to delay and risk being denied access to damages. Furthermore, the longer you wait, the more challenging it can become to build a strong case. Witnesses may become unavailable or their memories of the accident may fade, and crucial evidence could be lost.
Even if your injury from the MARTA vehicle accident appears minor initially, it’s important not to downplay it. Injuries from accidents involving buses, whether it’s a severe injury or something that seems less significant, can have long-term effects. Accidents on public transportation, such as MARTA buses or trains, can involve complex factors like the bus driver’s actions, the condition of the bus stops, or issues with the MARTA vehicle itself. An experienced MARTA accident lawyer can help navigate these complexities, ensuring that all factors, including insurance company policies and the specifics of the accident, are considered in your case.
Contacting a skilled MARTA accident attorney as soon as possible after an incident is key. They can assist in gathering necessary evidence, dealing with insurance companies involved, and ensuring that your rights are protected, whether the incident was a MARTA train accident or a collision involving other passenger vehicles.
How Does A MARTA Accident Attorney Investigate A Claim?
The MARTA accident lawyers at The Weinstein Firm are dedicated to building a strong case for you, especially in incidents involving public transportation accidents in Atlanta. Once you become a client, our team immediately begins gathering crucial information. Initially, we will review the details you managed to collect at the scene of the accident. This includes names and contact details of witnesses, and any specific accident details related to MARTA buses or trains, or other bus accidents.
Our investigative team will then acquire all relevant incident reports, including those filed by the police and the bus driver, which are essential in cases involving MARTA vehicle accidents. We understand the importance of these documents in establishing the specifics of the accident, whether it involves a MARTA bus, a MARTA train accident, or any accident on MARTA property.
Furthermore, we will actively reach out to the witnesses you identified to gather their detailed statements. These testimonies can be crucial, especially when dealing with complex cases involving MARTA vehicles or public transportation accidents, where the sequence of events and the bus driver’s actions could be central to the case.
If you were unable to gather extensive information immediately after the accident, do not worry. Our experienced Atlanta MARTA accident attorneys are skilled in piecing together the facts of the case, even with limited initial information. We are adept at handling cases involving MARTA buses, MARTA train accidents, and accidents at bus stops or on MARTA property. Regardless of the circumstances, our team is committed to starting the process promptly and building a robust case to seek the compensation you deserve, addressing aspects such as insurance company negotiations, injury claims, and legal complexities inherent in these types of cases.
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.
