Helping Bus Accident Victims in Lawrenceville
Residents and visitors alike rely on buses to transport them around the greater Lawrenceville area. Gwinnett County Transit, otherwise known as the GCT, is the public bus transit system in our area that shuttles people through Lawrenceville. In addition to GCT buses that operate in the area, there are also city buses, school buses, commuter buses, and charter buses that operate on local roadways.
Bus travel is considered to be relatively safe, though accidents can – and do – still happen too regularly. When a bus driver behaves negligently or carelessly, this behavior can cause a serious accident that injuries bus riders—especially those who may be standing up while they are on the bus. However, bus negligent bus drivers are not the only cause of bus accidents. In some instances, another motor vehicle operator may cause an accident when their vehicle collides with a bus.
If another person’s negligence and irresponsibility led to a bus accident that injured you or someone you love, it is crucial to secure a knowledgeable legal counsel that will advocate for you. The skilled Lawrenceville personal injury lawyers at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC can assist you in investigating your claim, pursuing a settlement on your behalf, and, if necessary, filing a lawsuit against the negligent bus driver, bus company, or another individual or entity.
Please give us a call today to find out more about how we can assist you with your bus accident claim and help you pursue the monetary compensation you deserve.
Causes Behind Bus Accidents in the Lawrenceville Area
While bus driver negligence may cause or contribute to an accident, there are other common causes as well.
The most common reasons for bus accidents in and around Lawrenceville include:
- Bus driver negligence – Lawrenceville bus drivers, just like other motor vehicle drivers, are responsible for knowing and following the rules of the road. When a bus driver behaves unreasonably under the circumstances, that behavior can cause an accident that involves a collision with another motor vehicle or a stationary object. Common examples of bus operator negligence include driving over the speed limit, making unsafe lane changes by failing to use a turn signal, tailgating, and running red lights and stop signs. Driver negligence also includes distracted driving. When a bus driver is paying more attention to an electronic device than the road, they put only the bus occupants at risk, but everyone else on the road as well. If a bus driver’s negligence caused or contributed to a bus accident that resulted in injuries, an accident victim can file a claim or lawsuit against the bus driver. In some cases, a suit will name the bus driver’s employer, under an agency theory of liability.
- Bus driver intoxication – It goes without saying that bus drivers who are on duty should never operate their buses while they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These substances significantly inhibit a bus driver’s depth perception, reaction time, and ability to make safe and responsible choices. When a bus driver operates a bus while under the influence, the chance that an accident will take place skyrockets.
- Negligence of another motor vehicle operator – In some bus accident cases, the bus driver plays no role in causing the accident. Instead, another motor vehicle operator behaves in a negligent or distracted manner, causes them to collide their vehicle with the bus. When that happens, the bus accident victim can submit a claim or file a lawsuit against the at-fault motor vehicle operator.
- Manufacturing defects – In some cases, negligently manufactured bus parts, including seats, footrests, seat belts, and grab handles (for passengers who are standing while the bus is in motion), can fail or malfunction, causing a bus accident. When that happens, the bus accident victim may bring a legal claim or file a lawsuit against the parts manufacturer and another person or entity in the chain of product distribution. Parts manufacturers have a duty to properly manufacture and test their products in accordance with safety codes, so defective material does not enter into the market. When a defective bus component or part contributes to a bus accident that injures a rider, the manufacturer may be liable.
- Negligent repair work and mechanical defects – All buses require regular maintenance and repair work. However, when servicing work is not performed correctly, a bus accident could result. In cases such as these, the repair facility may incur liability for negligence.
If a bus accident involving one or more of the circumstances listed above injured you or someone you care about, the experienced Lawrenceville bus accident attorneys at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC are ready to assist you with your legal matter today. We will thoroughly investigate your accident and determine which individuals or entities were likely at fault. We can also help you recover the monetary compensation necessary to fairly and adequately compensate you for all of the injuries and damages you suffered in your accident.
Types of Bus Accidents and the Injuries that May Result
Bus accidents may sometimes involve rear-end collisions, when a bus runs into the back of another vehicle or when another vehicle runs into the back of the bus. Accidents in which a vehicle fails to stop for a red light at an intersection and T-bones a bus traveling in front of them can also occur. In other cases, a vehicle may collide with a bus head-on, or a bus may collide with a stationary object located in the middle or at the side of the road.
Victims of bus accidents can suffer serious injuries. In many instances, seat belts and other modern safety devices do not appear in older bus models. Because of this, bus passengers can be thrown from their seats and onto the floor when an accident happens. Passengers may also strike their heads on a window, or their bodies might violently jerk back and forth, resulting in a whiplash injury. Common injuries that bus accident victims may suffer include cuts and abrasions, bone fractures, soft tissue injuries, traumatic head and brain injuries, back and spinal cord injuries, rotator cuff injuries, as well as certain types of internal damage, such as internal bleeding and organ damage.
The experienced legal team at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC can help you recover the monetary compensation you need—and that you deserve—for the injuries you suffered in your Lawrenceville bus accident.
Common Defendants in Lawrenceville Bus Accident Cases
If a bus driver was intoxicated under the circumstances or operated the bus carelessly or negligently that resulted in an accident, you could bring a legal claim for compensation against the bus driver.
Negligent bus drivers are not the only potential at-fault party in a bus accident. In addition to the bus driver, the bus company, the Lawrenceville area’s public school system, or municipality (such as Gwinnett County) that employs the driver may also be deemed responsible for the accident.
It is not uncommon for an employer to be named in a lawsuit if the accident took place while the bus driver was on the job and acting within the scope of their employment, which is usually the case. You may also file a legal claim against the bus driver’s employer for negligent retention, negligent supervision, or negligent hiring practices if the bus driver had a demonstrable history of driving infractions and yet remained employed with the bus company or municipality.
In addition to filing a legal claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver and the bus company, you may bring a claim against any other motor vehicle operator who caused or contributed to the bus accident. For example, if another driver was negligently operating their vehicle and collided with the bus, then you may file a legal claim directly against that other driver.
In cases where you can demonstrate through expert testimony that an accident occurred due to the negligence of a repair facility or parts manufacturer, you may assert a legal claim against those entities and, if necessary, name them as defendants in a lawsuit you file in the court system. The experienced team of Lawrenceville bus accident attorneys at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your bus accident and its cause. We will make sure to name all responsible parties in any claim or lawsuit we file with the court on your behalf.
Filing a Claim for Monetary Compensation and Damages Arising From Your Bus Accident
If a bus accident injured you or someone you care about, a Lawrenceville bus accident lawyer will investigate how your accident occurred by obtaining a copy of the police report, speaking with witnesses, and, if necessary, hiring a private investigator. Once your lawyer has gathered enough evidence, they can then file a claim against the at-fault bus driver or bus company’s insurer. When making a claim, your lawyer will include copies of all pertinent documentation, including your medical records and bills that relate to your injury.
The insurance company may then make a settlement offer so negotiations can begin. If the insurance company does not offer you the fair and adequate compensation that you deserve, your lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf.
In all Georgia personal injury cases, including those that involve bus accidents, you have two years from the date of your accident in which to file a lawsuit against all potentially at-fault parties. In almost all cases, if you miss this deadline, you can no longer bring a claim or file a personal injury lawsuit for damages arising out of that specific bus accident.
Once your lawyer has filed a lawsuit, settlement negotiations can still continue. At this point, the parties will take part in the discovery process. Once discovery has completed, the insurance company may make a top and final settlement offer, or the parties may decide to proceed with alternative dispute resolution (such as mediation or arbitration) or a jury trial. At a jury trial, the jury decides what damages, if any, the bus accident victim is entitled to receive.
Potential Damages in Lawrenceville Bus Accident Cases
The potential damages available to an injured bus accident victim depend upon the cost, extent, and nature of the medical treatment the accident victim receives, in addition to the severity of the injuries and lost time from employment while they recover. When a Lawrenceville bus accident victim brings a claim or files a lawsuit, they can pursue compensation for out-of-pocket expenses, like medical bills and lost earnings, as well as for non-economic damages.
- Non-economic damages include compensation for:
- Past, present, and future pain and suffering
- Past, present, and future mental distress and anguish
- Inconvenience from having to seek medical treatment
- Pain and suffering from the injuries sustained in the accident
- Loss of the ability to use a body part
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Anticipated future wage loss
- Loss of spousal companionship and consortium
Although not all of these damages are applicable or available in every bus accident case, your lawyer can help you pursue the specific damages you need to be made whole after your accident.
Call a Knowledgeable Lawrenceville Bus Accident Lawyer About Your Case Today
The legal team at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC is ready to assist you with handling every aspect of your bus accident case, from settlement negotiations up through litigation. For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with an experienced Lawrenceville bus accident attorney, please give us a call at (404) 737-4508 or contact us online for more information.
Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC
892 legacy park Dr.
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
(678)-647-1314
