Public and private buses comprise a large part of the United States’ transportation industry. Children ride buses to and from school, commuters in many cities use public transit including buses each workday, and private motor coaches remain popular for both United States and foreign tourists.
With so many passengers riding various types of buses, the safety regulations regarding buses are vast. Each of the bus systems has safety requirements and criteria that must be met. Although there are many safety regulations in place in this bustling industry, more than 300 people are still killed annually in accidents involving buses, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. A far greater number of people are injured in similar accidents, some of them severely and permanently.
Causes of Bus Accidents
While buses are built to be more durable than the average passenger vehicle, they are also often designed without important safety features, such as seat belts. Bus and school bus accidents can be caused by factors such as
Driver Negligence:
- Driver fatigue
- Driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Excessive speed
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe driving for adverse weather conditions
- Driver aggression
- Failure to follow state and federal regulations
- General negligence
Bus drivers are considered “professional drivers” and have undergone special training to qualify for the position.
Motorcoach Company or Government Entity Negligence:
- Improper vehicle maintenance
- Inadequate inspections
- Unsafe equipment
- Inadequate driver training
- Failure to follow state and federal regulations
Other forms of negligence can lead to bus accidents:
- Defective products
- Unsafe roadways
- Other circumstances
Bus Accident Injuries
Bus accidents can result in serious personal injury and even death, both for passengers of the bus and those in the car if a personal vehicle is involved in the accident. Due to the often-serious nature of injuries for people involved in bus accidents, there can be extensive costs associated with the accident including
- Medical bills
- Lost wages/loss of profits
- Permanent Disability
- Emotional pain and suffering
MARTA – Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
MARTA runs hundreds of buses over 91 routes. It is the ninth-largest rapid-transit system in the United States, employing a network of buses linked to rapid transit systems.
MARTA is a quasi-governmental entity and can only be sued in Superior Court. Fried Rogers Goldberg has successfully handled a number of cases against MARTA, and you can view our verdicts and case results by clicking here.
If you or a loved one has suffered injury or if you have lost someone in a bus accident or collision, the skilled bus accident lawyers at Fried Rogers Goldberg LLC can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Our Bus Accident Lawyers?
Claims for damages against a public or governmental entity are complex and difficult. You need an experienced bus accident lawyer to assist you throughout that process and ensure that your claim is handled fairly and that you receive the maximum compensation.
When filing a claim against a private motorcoach company, you will be up against the company’s team of lawyers as well as those of their insurance provider. You need a tenacious law firm that will fight for your rights and make sure justice is served against the negligent bus driver or company that caused your injury or the injury or death of your loved one.
Claims must also be brought about in an expedited manner. Personal injury statutes of limitations vary by state but are typically two years from the date of the accident. However, important information and evidence can be lost or jeopardized in a much shorter amount of time. You need lawyers who have the resources to begin researching your case and advocating for you immediately, even if you are still recovering from the accident.
Contact a Bus Accident Lawyer
At Fried Rogers Goldberg LLC, our bus accident attorneys serve Roswell, Marletta, Atlanta and all of Georgia with the expertise necessary to generate successful outcomes for our clients. You can view our verdicts and case results by clicking here. Contact us to receive a free evaluation of your case by one of our bus accident lawyers.