Buses are a prevalent form of transportation in Smyrna and throughout the state. Despite their obvious utility, these large vehicles pose a danger to all travelers on the road. The large size of buses creates large blind spots that drivers may not be able to mitigate. At the same time, they are slow to stop in a collision, and their mass can cause catastrophic crashes.
The unfortunate fact is that bus accidents can result in severe injuries. These may affect not just a person’s physical health but also their emotional wellbeing and ability to return to work. In addition, these incidents can impact both people driving their own vehicles and passengers within the buses themselves. Every person who suffers a loss because of a bus driver’s negligence deserves full compensation.
A Smyrna bus accident lawyer could help to pursue these payments. An injury attorney can take the lead in investigating the crash, evaluating a person’s losses, and holding a bus driver, an insurance company, and a bus company liable for providing compensation.
Bus accidents are a leading cause of injuries in Smyrna. Despite this fact, it is only possible to collect compensation following a crash if you can show that a bus driver was responsible for your incident. This is true whether were a passenger on the bus or driving your own vehicle.
The most common way to prove bus driver fault is to show that the driver was violating a rule of the road. Local traffic laws that control speed limits, the requirement to yield, and to remain off cell phones apply to buses in the same way as all other vehicles. A Smyrna bus accident attorney could help to gather evidence that a bus driver was violating a rule of the road leading to the collision.
Other cases are not so simple. Many crashes are the product of simple carelessness or inattentiveness. Here, it may be necessary for victims who were driving their own vehicles to justify their own actions. According to O.C.G.A. §51-12-33, if an injured person shares a portion of the blame for an accident, they cannot collect full compensation for their losses. If this portion rises to 50 percent or more, a court cannot award any payments. Contacting a bus accident attorney in Smyrna could help to build a powerful case against bus drivers.
Proving fault for a bus crash is only one part of a comprehensive claim. It is just as important to be able to show how that incident has impacted one’s life. The most obvious effect is physical injuries. Bus accidents can cause a variety of injuries that require extensive medical care. Obtaining payments for this medical care is a top priority. This can include:
Of course, these may not be the only way in which a bus crash has affected a person’s life. An attorney could work hand-in-hand with you to evaluate your other losses. These may include pain following an injury, lost quality of life, an inability to return to work, or scars from cuts or surgery. A Smyrna bus accident attorney could help to place a proper value on a case.
The days and weeks following a bus accident are critical for your recovery and legal rights. Not only do you need to seek medical care for your physical injuries, but you also need to act quickly to collect compensation for your losses. This can require proving that a bus driver was at fault for an accident, demonstrating how the accident has impacted your life, and placing a fair dollar value on your case.
A Smyrna bus accident lawyer is prepared to take the lead in every portion of your claim. An attorney can work to fight for your legal rights while you focus on making your best recovery. Give us a call today to see how we are ready to help you.
