Bus accidents in Atlanta can lead to severe injuries, Property Damage, and complex questions about who the responsible party is. Whether the crash involves a MARTA city bus, school buses, a charter bus, or private bus companies, you may be dealing with large bus companies, government entities, and their aggressive legal teams.
If you’re a bus accident victim, it’s critical to act fast. The Ted Law Firm has helped countless clients file a successful bus accident claim and pursue maximum compensation. Below are the 10 most important steps you should take after being involved in a bus crash in Atlanta.
1. Ensure Safety at the Accident Scene
- Move your vehicle to avoid more road users getting hurt.
- Call 911 for emergency care and medical assistance.
- Stay at the accident scene,leaving could impact your personal injury claim.
Your medical records and visible or hidden bus accident injuries (like traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, or whiplash) play a pivotal role in your personal injury lawsuit.
2. Always Call the Police
A police report is essential for proving your bus accident injury and determining who was at fault,whether it’s the bus driver, another third-party driver, or bad road conditions like icy roads or hazardous road conditions.
Make sure to:
- Give your version clearly,don’t admit fault.
- Get the accident report number for your case.
- Ask for witness statements and witness testimony to support your claims process.
3. Gather Detailed Records and Contact Details
You’ll need to exchange contact details with the bus driver and collect:
- Bus company name
- Bus number, license plate
- Any insurance companies involved
- Contact information for bus operators, government agency, or school district
- Photographs and videos of the bus crash, Property Damage, and visible injuries
All this becomes important when providing legal liability.
4. Get Immediate Medical Attention
Even if you feel “fine,” always visit a doctor. Some common bus accident injuries (like concussions or internal trauma) take time to show.
Your hospital bills, diagnostic tests, and hospital stays will become evidence of your financial losses. Delaying care could hurt your fair compensation for non-economic damages like emotional distress, mental anguish, or loss of enjoyment.
5. Notify Your Insurance Company
Georgia’s fault-based system means you’ll still need to report the bus accident claim to your insurer,even if the bus driver was at fault.
- Don’t admit guilt.
- Avoid recorded statements.
- Let your personal injury attorney handle tricky conversations.
6. Identifying Liable Parties
Many different liable parties can be involved in a bus accident lawsuit:
- Bus driver (due to reckless driving, distracted driving, or Driver fatigue)
- Bus company or bus maintenance company (for inadequate training or skipped regular inspections)
- A government entity (especially in School bus accidents or Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority cases)
- A parts manufacturer
- Another third-party driver
An experienced attorney may even use accident reconstruction experts to pinpoint fault.
7. Be Wary of Insurance and Legal Teams
Insurance companies for commercial vehicles like buses don’t play fair. They may:
- Ask for misleading info
- Offer quick, low settlements
- Push you to sign documents
NEVER accept offers or speak to their legal teams without legal representation. Let a bus accident attorney or experienced bus accident lawyer handle all legal procedures.
8. Know Your Time Limits
Under Georgia’s two-year statute, you have 2 years to file a personal injury claim. But for claims involving government entities, you may have only 6 months to file a notice of claim.
Miss these, and your chance at financial compensation could vanish,regardless of severe injuries or permanent disability.
9. What You Can Recover
Your personal injury lawyer can help you pursue damages for:
- Medical bills (current and future)
- Property Damage
- Emotional distress, mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment, quality of life
- Lost wages, reduced earning ability
- Punitive Damages if gross negligence is involved
Every bus accident injury case is different, but the right lawyer ensures you get maximum compensation.
10. Why You Need Legal Assistance
Navigating a bus accident lawsuit is no small task. The legal process is filled with:
- Complicated insurance companies and claims process
- Sovereign immunity laws
- Duty of care requirements
- Government-related red tape
You need a dedicated, experienced team to protect your rights and get the fair compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in a devastating crash involving a bus in Atlanta, don’t let insurance companies or government agencies control your future.
Let Ted Law Firm handle the legal stress while you focus on healing. We proudly help people in Atlanta, Columbus, Macon, Athens, Savannah, Warner Robins, and all of Georgia! We advocate for accident victims across South Carolina and Georgia. We fight for fair compensation – even when insurance companies don’t. Contact us now for a free consultation and get the support you need today.
Attorney Ted Sink, founder of The Ted Law Firm, is a Yale, Stanford Business School, and Charleston School of Law graduate and former marketing executive who built a 7-figure law practice, earning millions for his clients. With experience in both law and advertising, Ted has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the ABA Journal. He speaks at industry conferences on marketing and law firm management, sharing insights from his unique background to help other firms grow. When not working, Ted enjoys traveling, diving, and dog-sitting golden retrievers.
