Using a bus is convenient. Taking public transportation means that you don’t have to pay money for gasoline, and you can get a bit more work done during your morning commute. Unfortunately, bus accidents are all too common and the injuries sustained can be catastrophic. Buses are large, heavy vehicles and, like accidents involving passenger cars, there are several reasons for collisions.
Consider that a typical school bus that is fully loaded can weigh more than 20 tons. An average car weighs a little over a tenth of that. When a bus and a car collide, the property damage is severe and the injuries sustained are serious — even fatal. Because there can be hundreds of thousands of dollars that must be paid out in these incidents, both by insurance companies and private persons, determining fault is important.
Some of the most common causes of bus accidents include bus company negligence, driver negligence, driver fatigue, bad weather and distracted drivers. Other causes may be laid upon the shoulders of the operator of the passenger vehicle. When someone is injured in this type of accident, they may have a legal right to compensation for property damage, injury and more.
If you have been involved in a bus accident in Atlanta, an experienced accident attorney can assist you. You may have a right to compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. It is important to speak to an attorney to figure out all of your legal options.