Insurance companies are not on your side. Bus accidents can be difficult for most people to handle on their own. Multiple witnesses indicate multiple accounts, which can sometimes be inconsistent. Generally, several insurance companies, municipalities, or private corporations compete to serve their own interests, not yours. Insurance firms frequently go to tremendous lengths to reduce their financial obligations. One of the most common ways insurance adjusters try to lower bus accident victim settlements is by accusing them of sharing responsibility for their injuries. Modified Comparative Negligence Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state in terms of shared fault. If your liability surpasses 49%, you will lose the opportunity to have your case heard in civil court. Your injury settlement will also be decreased to reflect your share of responsibility. You can protect yourself from the insurance company by having your attorney verify that fault is appropriately assessed in your Atlanta bus accident claim. How Bus Crashes Differ from Other Motor Vehicle Accidents. When you've been in a car accident, certain damages and aspects of your claim can be tough to handle. A bus accident claim is significantly more complex. That is why you need a lawyer with extensive experience in bus accident law. There are obvious reasons why bus accidents differ from other motor vehicle accidents: buses are substantially larger than cars and so do more damage to other vehicles. Because of its size, a bus is more difficult to control and stop, making avoiding a collision more difficult.
There are other, less evident reasons why bus crashes differ from automobile accidents. Bus operators are frequently required to have special permits and work duties, making it more difficult to hold them accountable. Other parties, such as managers and parts manufacturers, may also be accountable. Bus accidents also have a higher number of claimants since buses can collide with more vehicles. That is not to say that your compensation will be reduced as a result; in fact, your payout may be higher in a bus accident due to the more serious damage caused by buses. Evidence in a Bus Accident Case. To prove what happened in your bus accident, your lawyer will need to gather compelling evidence that demonstrates not only who was at responsibility, but also why you need compensation. To that end, your attorney may seek evidence such as: Security video Pictures from the accident scene Driving records Medical records Witness Statements Expert testimony. Your Atlanta bus accident attorney may call in expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction experts. An accident reconstruction specialist will be able to use images, videos, and other details from the crash scene to demonstrate exactly what occurred and who was at fault. It is critical to have good evidence in a bus accident case since other parties may be at blame. By selecting an experienced lawyer to handle your case, you are employing someone who can identify all parties accountable for your injury. Damages That Can Be Recovered in A Bus Accident Case In civil cases, damages are based on the right to recover for bodily injury under OCGA 51-1-6. The severity of your injury determines the amount of compensation you may receive. You can seek compensation for a variety of harms, including: Pain and Suffering Mental distress and emotional trauma Property damages. Vehicle Repairs or Replacement Loss of consortium. Decreased appreciation of life Lost wages or diminished earning capacity. Prescriptions, physical therapy, clinic visits, emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgery, equipment, and other treatments are all examples of medical expenses. Wrongful Death In addition to compensable damages in your bus accident suit, you may be awarded punitive damages. These are not losses you are entitled to, but rather a means for the Atlanta civil courts to penalize the defendant. They may deem this necessary if the defendant's actions were willful, egregious, or extremely negligent. You should not anticipate receiving punitive damages, but the court system may do so if they want to send a message to the community that they will not accept this behavior in the future. As can be seen, bus crashes cause extensive damage. Nonetheless, this list hardly scratches the surface. You can include your damages in your settlement if you can establish they were caused by your Atlanta bus accident. We will not leave a single penny out of the total to ensure that you receive the highest amount of compensation available. The statute of limitations for Atlanta bus accidents. You have a limited period of time to file a claim, but if you wait too long, you may lose your opportunity. In addition, you are required to disclose claims to insurance companies. Nonetheless, numerous carriers are typically involved in these situations, all of whom desire to resolve the matter as fast and cheaply as feasible. Generally, Atlanta bus accident victims have two years to pursue their claims. Instead, start developing your case right away while the evidence and accident are still fresh. When consumers wait until the last minute to file a claim, they reduce their chances of receiving a fair settlement. Visit our Atlanta bus accident attorneys today. The Atlanta bus accident attorneys at Associates are one of the city's largest and most renowned personal injury businesses. For almost two decades, we have assisted bus crash victims like yourself in obtaining a payment that accurately reflects the harm they suffered. So, don't let the insurance company trick you out of reasonable recompense. Get your free consultation today by contacting or filling out our online form.
