Holding School Districts and Others Accountable for Atlanta School Bus Accidents
School bus accidents happen with uncomfortable frequency. In fact, the headlines in Atlanta’s newspapers regularly report another crash involving a school bus, causing serious injuries—and sometimes, even deaths. School bus accidents, however, are not always like other bus accidents when they involve public school buses. Get an experienced injury attorney on your side in these situations.
Victims need to understand that the process of receiving compensation is different when it involves a government agency. There are specific forms, time limits, and guidelines to file your bus accident claim. For assistance with your claim, please contact an Atlanta school bus accident attorney at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC right away to discuss your case. We’re available 24/7 online or via phone call.
Types of School Bus Accidents in Atlanta, GA
School buses have a reputation as a safe and reliable method of transportation, which is true to some extent. Of course, no method of transportation is entirely perfect, and the same is true of school buses in Atlanta.
Your child could suffer injuries in many accidents involving school buses:
- A school bus strikes another motorist on the street because the bus driver was aggressive or not paying attention. In this case, the bus driver is to blame.
- Another motorist on the road strikes a bus, causing damage to it and its passengers. Here, the other motorist is responsible for the crash.
- A school bus strikes a bicyclist or pedestrian because the driver was insufficiently careful. The driver is probably to blame.
- A child suffers injuries getting on or off the bus by, for example, falling down defective steps. Here, the bus might be defective, or the school district could be to blame for not properly maintaining the vehicle.
- A child suffers injuries while riding on the bus when the driver collides with another vehicle or with a stationary object. The motorist who caused the collision is to blame.
- A bus runs over a child who is crossing in front of or behind the bus. The driver is usually to blame.
Each of these accidents is tragic and, more often than not, entirely avoidable. If you or your child is injured, you should consider what legal options you have. Our Atlanta personal injury law firm is here to guide you. We handle our cases on a contingency-fee basis so there is should be no concern of affordability.
Receiving Compensation After an Atlanta School Bus Accident
Whether you are the parent of an injured child or a member of the public injured by a bus, you might be able to receive money for your injuries, called damages. Georgia law requires that bus operators use sufficient care when transporting people, including school children. Any carelessness can result in the driver or his employer paying out compensation to injured victims.
At Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, we help our clients receive money to help with the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Not every client receives the above damages. For example, your child probably does not hold a job, so they would not qualify for lost wages. But you should meet with an experienced Atlanta school bus accident attorney for more information.
Who Is Liable in a School Bus Wreck?
If another motorist caused an accident, you might be able to file a lawsuit against them. At a minimum, you could submit a claim with their insurer to cover your losses. Things are more complicated when the school district or the bus driver is responsible for the accident. Georgia law limits the ability of people to sue the state or its municipalities for injuries, even when the government has been insufficiently careful.
You will need an experienced Atlanta school bus accident attorney to go over your options with you. Fortunately, the city does maintain insurance to pay out compensation, but you need to make a claim right way. Getting the city to shell out compensation is tricky but doable with the right legal assistance.
Reach out to a School Bus Accident Attorney in Atlanta, GA
If your child suffered injuries in a bus accident or if a bus driver struck you, you might be able to obtain compensation to cover your expenses. At Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, we are skilled at obtaining settlements from the Atlanta school district and from individual drivers and private companies.
For help starting your case, please contact us. We offer a free initial consultation to injured victims. Please call 404-418-8244 or fill out this online form.
