Bus Accidents

Many people who do not own motor vehicles or have valid driver’s licenses rely on buses to get them to and from destinations in the Atlanta area. Children all over Georgia, for example, regularly rely on school buses on a daily basis while many other adults use Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) buses for local trips or national carriers for journeys to locations in other parts of the country.

Because of the simple size of these vehicles, bus accidents typically involve severe injuries to passengers and immense damage to other vehicles. As common carriers—companies that provide public transportation for a fee—such school, local, and national buses are subject to additional regulation, and multiple parties could, in fact, be liable for a bus accident victim’s medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Attorney for Bus Accidents in Atlanta, GA

If you sustained serious injuries or your loved one was killed in a bus accident in Georgia, it will be in your best interest to retain legal counsel as soon as possible. Marcus A. Roberts & Associates helps clients hurt in automobile crashes all over Cobb County, Gwinnett County, Fulton County, Clayton County, and DeKalb County.

Atlanta personal injury lawyer Marcus A. Roberts fights to get justice for people who are harmed by the negligent conduct of other parties. Call 404-577-4444 today to have our attorney review your case and discuss all of your legal options during a free initial consultation.

Fulton County Bus Accidents Information Center

• Who is liable for a bus accident?
• How do school bus crashes usually happen?
• Where can I find more information about bus accidents in Atlanta?

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MARTA and National Bus Company Accidents in Georgia

MARTA is the principal public transport operator in the Atlanta metropolitan area, originally formed as a bus system but now also consisting of heavy rail rapid transit. In addition to MARTA, the Atlanta area is also served by a number of different national bus carriers, including—but not limited to:

• Adirondack Trailways;
• Akai Bus;
• American Coach Lines;
• Greyhound; and
• Megabus.

You can also find a complete list of licensed bus carriers on the Georgia Department of Public Safety website. Following an accident on a MARTA or other national bus line, any one of numerous parties could be liable for an individual’s injuries.

Some of the parties that could be legally responsible for a bus crash include:

• Bus Driver — Drivers could be liable for passenger or pedestrian injuries that are the direct result of their negligent conduct, such as driving under the influence (DUI), distracted driving, or speeding.
• Bus Company — The company that operates a bus can be liable if it did not adequately screen or train its driver or if it failed to adequately maintain the bus.
• Public Entities — Certain entities such as MARTA may bear responsibility for injuries caused by negligent design or failure to maintain. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), for example, is responsible for the design and construction of Georgia roadways.
• Maintenance Company — Independent maintenance contractors may be liable when crashes are the result of failure to repair or maintain buses.
• Other Drivers — When a bus collision is the result of another driver’s negligence, that motorist can be responsible for all of the victims’ injuries.

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Atlanta School Bus Accidents

In March 2017, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) reported that over 4,000 bus drivers deliver roughly 300,000 students to and from schools in the metro Atlanta area, and school buses are involved in about 100 accidents per month. According to the AJC, the five people—including one student—killed in metro Atlanta accidents involving school buses in 2016 was an increase from the three killed in 2015 and two killed in 2014. Injuries also saw a more than 60 percent increase, rising from less than 200 in 2013 to more than 330 in 2016.

The young passengers aboard most school buses often make any accidents involving them all the more tragic. Similar to MARTA and national bus carrier crashes, multiple parties may be liable for a victim’s injuries following a school bus accident.

Some of the most common causes of school bus accidents include, but are not limited to:

• Driver error;
• Defective bus parts;
• Inadequate driver training;
• Failure to maintain bus;
• Failure to repair hazardous road conditions;
• Failure to repair traffic signals; or
• Actions of another driver.

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Georgia Resources for Bus Accidents

Georgia Laws for School Bus Operation | Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) — View the full text of the coursework required to be a school bus driver in Georgia. The initial training program for school bus drivers in the state consists of a minimum of 12 hours of classroom, six hours of driving time without students, and six hours of driving time with students. You can find information relating to Georgia laws for school bus operation, traffic devices control, and accident procedures.

School Buses | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — NHTSA is the federal agency responsible for writing and enforcing laws concerning motor vehicle safety standards. On this website, you can find information about how to talk to your child about school bus safety. You can also find answers to frequently asked questions.

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Marcus A. Roberts & Associates | Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyer

Did you suffer catastrophic injuries or was your loved one killed in any kind of bus accident in Georgia? Do not speak to any insurance agents or sign any paperwork until you have legal representation. Contact Marcus A. Roberts & Associates as soon as possible.

Marcus A. Roberts is an experienced personal injury attorney in Atlanta who represents residents of and visitors to Clayton County, Cobb County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, and DeKalb County. He can provide a complete evaluation of your case when you call 404-577-4444 or fill out an online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.