Because victims often incur expensive economic damages and distressing non-economic damages due to bus accidents, pursuing compensation against a negligent party is often necessary.
There is a high risk of injury anytime bus accidents happen. These types of accidents might hurt bus riders, car drivers, and pedestrians alike in Perry. To figure out who exactly is liable for your injuries, our lawyers will assess the available evidence, like eyewitness statements and security camera footage. You can help your case by collecting certain evidence at the accident scene by taking pictures of your injuries and possible property damage. Once we determine liability, we can help you bring your claim no later than two years after the accident. Depending on the level of negligence exhibited by the defendant, you might get punitive damages in your bus accident injury claim.
You can get a confidential and free case evaluation with the Perry, GA bus accident lawyers of Howe Law when you call (844) 876-4357 today.
The Risk of Injury During Bus Accidents in Perry, GA
Your risk of injury is relatively high if involved in a bus crash, whether as a bus passenger or car driver. This is largely due to buses’ massive size and force when they come in contact with other vehicles and the lack of protections for bus riders.
Bus Riders
Depending on the type of bus, passengers might not have access to seat belts. Furthermore, some riders might be forced to stand on crowded buses, increasing their risk of falling and getting hurt during impact. Buses generally do not have airbags to protect riders, which also puts passengers at a high risk of injury if an accident happens.
Car Drivers
Buses are much larger than passenger cars. If a bus T-bones a car in an intersection, the driver might be more likely to sustain crushing injuries to one side of their body. Furthermore, buses might cause other vehicles to roll over during high-speed accidents, putting victims in cars at an increased risk of injury.
Pedestrians
Bus drivers who do not pay attention to bicyclists or pedestrians in crosswalks might cause disastrous accidents. Pedestrians might be more likely to sustain fractures, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even fatal injuries when hit by buses in Perry.
Figuring Out Who is Liable for a Bus Accident in Perry, GA
To determine liability for injuries you sustained in a bus crash, our lawyers will review police reports, pictures from the accident scene, eyewitness statements, and other evidence we gather while investigating your case in Perry.
First, figure out who owns the bus in question. Does a private charter bus company own it? Is it a school bus? If the bus driver acted negligently, their employer might also be liable, which could open the door to greater damages.
You should also notify law enforcement of the bus accident as soon as it happens. Police officers in Perry can document the crash in an accident report, which our lawyers can review for important details. For example, suppose eyewitnesses mentioned in the police report that they saw the bus driver make an illegal turn, hitting your vehicle. In that case, we can interview eyewitnesses for more information to determine liability.
Go over the accident in detail with our lawyers. Tell us everything you remember about the crash and how it happened. Do not leave anything out, as even the smallest detail might help your case.
Evidence to Collect After a Bus Accident in Perry, GA
When injured in an auto accident, you should focus on collecting certain evidence while you are still at the scene.
To begin, photograph your injuries. If you were in your car at the time of the accident, photograph any property damage to your vehicle. Get eyewitnesses’ names, too.
Note the accident’s location and look for any security cameras nearby. Our car accident lawyers can work to obtain footage from those cameras showing the bus driver acting negligently and causing the accident.
Also, get all involved parties’ names and insurance information so that we have the necessary details to investigate the incident further and prepare your claim. Bus accidents might involve multiple vehicles, so you might have to speak to multiple drivers.
Getting medical attention is vital so that you have evidence of your injuries. Certain injuries might heal faster than others, and some are not visible to the eye. Because of this, it is important to have evidence showing your injuries exist or once existed if you have since healed.
Time Limit on Filing Bus Accident Claims in Perry, GA
There is a time limit for filing bus accident lawsuits in Perry. When victims miss this deadline, they risk losing their opportunity to recover damages.
Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, victims of bus accidents have two years to file claims in Perry. If the accident involved a government-owned bus, like a school bus, you must first submit a notice of a claim with the proper government entity.
Courts strictly impose filing deadlines and bar victims who miss the statute of limitations from financial recovery.
Punitive Damages and Bus Accident Claims in Perry, GA
When gross negligence causes bus accidents, victims in Perry stand to get punitive damages. Our attorneys can review your case to determine if punitive damages are available to you.
Suppose a bus company knew that a vehicle was defective and failed to fix it, resulting in a mechanical failure that injured you. If enough evidence suggests that the defendant acted without regard for your safety or with willful misconduct, the jury might assess punitive damages. The purpose of these damages is to punish a defendant for their egregious conduct, not to compensate a victim.
Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1(g), Georgia caps punitive damages at $250,000 in most personal injury claims. There is no limit on punitive damages for accidents due to alcohol use.
Call Our Accident Lawyers in Perry, GA Today
Call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 to get a free case review from our Marietta, GA bus accident lawyers.
