Marietta Bus Accident Lawyer

No one ever expects to be involved in a collision with a bus in Marietta. Unfortunately, bus accidents are more common than many people realize. Traumatic brain injuries, loss of limbs, spinal cord damage, paralysis, broken and fractured bones, facial injuries, and other serious injuries are not uncommon.

If you have suffered any of these injuries or another type of injury in a bus accident, you may have the right to financial compensation if someone else is found liable for the accident. 

Find out what your next steps should be when you contact a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer in Marietta. Contact our office today to schedule your free consultation and get started on your case.

How do Bus Accidents in Marietta Happen?

Marietta bus accidents can happen in an alarming number of ways. This is, in part, due to the fact that there are so many different types of buses and ways in which these accidents can occur. For example, many bus accidents are caused by negligent or reckless bus drivers who may be:

• Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Driving while fatigued
• Engaging in unsafe driving practices such as speeding, following too closely, failure to yield, failure to stop, and more

However, bus accidents can also be caused due to the weight, size, and shape of the bus. Depending on the type of bus in your accident, the driver may not have had enough stopping distance, limited visibility, blind spots, and less maneuverability when operating the bus.

Buses As “Common Carriers”

Buses are considered “common carriers” in the state of Georgia which means they have an obligation to protect the safety of their passengers. This is a higher standard for buses than other drivers or pedestrians that may be on the roads. With that being said, if you were injured on a bus as a passenger, you may have the opportunity to file a claim against the bus company.

Some of the more common ways bus passengers are injured include:

• Buses moving before passengers have seated
• The bus stops too far away from the curb
• The bus makes sharp stops or sudden turns which causes you to suffer injuries
• Buses colliding with objects or other vehicles

If your bus accident occurred in another way, or if you are interested in learning more about who could be found liable for your bus accident injuries, make sure to contact a bus accident attorney in Marietta to discuss the details of your case further.

Liability for Marietta Bus Accidents

If you hope to get the most out of your claim, your lawyer will need to prove that someone else’s negligence caused your bus accident in Marietta. Since bus accidents can occur in so many different ways, there are also several parties who could share fault for your bus accident injuries. Some of the individuals and entities who are more frequently named as defendants in Marietta bus accident lawsuits include:

• The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)
• Safety inspectors
• Reckless or negligent bus drivers
• Other bus passengers
• Auto parts designers and manufacturers
• The owner of the bus
• The bus company
• Bus manufacturers and dealerships
• Municipalities
• Other third parties

Your Marietta bus accident attorney will conduct an in-depth investigation to reveal the truth. Do not be surprised if multiple parties are found to share liability for causing your bus accident. This just means you will have an increased opportunity to recover total compensation for your damages.

How Georgia’s Comparative Negligence Laws Could Impact Your Marietta Bus Accident Claim

If you have been hesitant to call a lawyer to discuss your bus accident damages in Marietta because you believe sharing liability for the accident bars you from financial recovery, you are not alone. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence system under OCGA §51-12-33. 

Here, you can share up to 49% of the liability for causing the accident and still recover compensation for the portion of fault that is not yours. This means when you share fault for your accident, you can expect your injury settlement to then be reduced accordingly. 

For example, if you were deemed 20% liable for your bus accident injuries in Marietta, you could then expect your injury settlement to reflect a 20% shared fault deduction. You can find out more about how much your case could be affected by Georgia shared fault laws when you contact your bus accident attorney in Marietta for legal advice and support.

Important Marietta Bus Accident Claim Deadlines

When you are involved in a bus accident, figuring out how long you have to pursue your case is of utmost importance. This is because the statute of limitations can vary in bus accident claims depending on who the liable party is. 

For example, if you were filing a lawsuit against a negligent bus driver, the driver of another vehicle, or a parts manufacturer, you would file your claim under the OCGA §9-3-33 for the personal injury statute of limitations. Here, you have a maximum of two years from the accident to get your claim filed before the statute of limitations runs out. 

However, if you were involved in a bus accident with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), CobbLinc, or some other municipal bus service, instead of following the two-year statute of limitations, you may be limited to just six months to file your claim. 

In the event that a Georgia county or the state round the bus company, you may be limited to just one year to file your notice of the accident. Since the statute of limitations can be so complex for Marietta bus accident claims, it is important to get an experienced legal professional on your side and advocate for your rights.

Contact a Bus Accident Attorney in Marietta for Help Today

Are you interested in learning more about how you can recover maximum compensation for your bus accident damages? If so, reach out to an experienced Marietta bus accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates. 

Our firm is proud to offer no-cost, risk-free consultations to bus accident victims across Marietta and nearby cities. Take advantage of this opportunity when you give our office a call or complete our convenient contact form.