As with any other motor vehicle accident, the damages sustained in a Sugar Hill bus accident can be expensive and painful. There are obviously physical injuries and property damage to contend with, but also emotional and potentially devastating financial fallout. Fair compensation offers you and others affected by your injuries the best chance of recovery, and a Sugar Hill bus accident lawyer from John Foy & Associates offers you the best chance of receiving that compensation.
The Aftermath of a Bus Accident in Sugar Hill
Though buses offer a usually safe mode of travel, accidents still occur on private, public, and school buses. The causes of bus accidents can include:
- Driver error
- Driver negligence
- Poor road conditions
- Vehicle part malfunctions
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Another driver’s recklessness
Whatever the cause, following an accident, there are steps you can take to ensure you receive just compensation for your damages. Of course, the first step is to secure your safety and the safety of those around you.
Collect Evidence
If it is safe to do so, take pictures and video of the accident scene and your injuries. Include roadway conditions, other vehicles involved, and the general surroundings. Collect contact information from witnesses.
Get Medical Attention
You may need immediate, emergency medical care. Even if you do not think your injuries are severe, it is imperative that you seek medical attention. The effects of some injuries are slower to emerge. Delaying treatment may worsen your condition and weaken your case. The at-fault party will argue your injuries resulted from delayed treatment, not the accident.
Speak to a Bus Accident Attorney in Sugar Hill
When your lawyer has prompt access to your case, it is easier to collect additional evidence and obtain accurate testimonies from witnesses. Further, by trusting your case to a bus accident attorney in Sugar Hill quickly, there is no risk of missing the deadline for filing your claim. Georgia has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
How Georgia’s Law Affects Your Settlement
Your settlement is not just affected by the severity of your injuries. Other factors, such as whether you hold any fault for the accident and who your claim is against, matter as well.
Georgia’s Comparative Fault System
Georgia is a fault state. Those more responsible for causing an accident can be sued by accident victims for compensation. There are some conditions, however:
- Only victims who hold less than 50% culpability for the accident can collect a settlement.
- Victims who can sue will see their settlement amount reduced in proportion to the percentage of fault they bear for the accident.
If you are a passenger on a bus that is involved in an accident, you most likely will not hold any fault. However, if you are the driver of another vehicle involved in the crash, it is possible the courts may hold you at least partially responsible.
At-fault parties and their insurance companies will do their best to deflect responsibility and reduce their own potential payouts. Protect yourself from false claims of responsibility or inflated blame by securing representation with a bus accident lawyer in Sugar Hill.
Sovereign Immunity Statutes
Sovereign immunity statutes protect government offices and employees from lawsuits. Under these laws, which exist in different forms from state to state, these entities can only be sued if they consent to the lawsuit.
Georgia’s citizens voted to protect their interests and waive sovereign immunity in November 2020. While this is good news for victims of government-run public or school buses, the process for suing government offices and employees remains complex and follows a specific set of rules. For example, victims have to complete various administrative processes before facing a judge and must give the government a chance to provide compensation before taking the case through the legal process.
Even when your claim is “typical” against another private citizen, it is best to have an attorney manage your case. With the additional layers of complication brought by sovereign immunity laws, the expertise of a Sugar Hill bus accident attorney is even more essential.
Sugar Hill Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me 404-400-4000
A Settlement Offers Financial Relief
When someone else’s negligence or recklessness causes you injury, financial loss, and emotional distress, that party must be held responsible for paying you damages. Settlements vary from case to case, but you can trust your Sugar Hill bus accident lawyer from John Foy and Associates to fight for the highest amount possible.
A fair settlement will cover
- Accident-related medical expenses. Your lawyer will review your medical costs and prognosis and determine an amount that will cover present and future expenses.
- Lost wages. You may be out of work for a few days or a few months because of your injuries. Any wages lost will be accounted for in the settlement.
- Lost future earnings. If your injuries are severe, even catastrophic, you may never return to work, at least not in the same position you held before your accident. A settlement accounts for those lost earnings, providing you with a financially stable future.
- Emotional suffering. The pain of your injury and the changes brought to your life may trigger emotional distress for you and your loved ones. This suffering deserves acknowledgment, and a financial award can make counseling or other opportunities to mitigate this suffering.
- Property Damage. If you were operating another motor vehicle or cycling when the accident occurred, or if you lost luggage or devices, a settlement can fund the repair or replacement of your damaged property.
Trust the Strong Arm of Georgia to Secure the Financial Relief You Need and Deserve
Do not let unethical insurance companies determine the value of your case. Do not let complicated laws prevent you from getting the compensation you deserve. Instead, contact a Sugar Hill bus accident attorney from John Foy & Associates, the Strong Arm of Georgia, for a free consultation today.
Your lawyer will have the skills, knowledge, and experience to manage all aspects of your case from beginning to end, so you can rest easy and focus on healing.
Call or text 404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form