Injuries from bus accidents can involve multiple parties and complex liability issues. Whether you were a passenger or another driver, the bus accident lawyers at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. in Fayetteville are ready to help you seek the compensation you need. Contact our office at 770-205-8887 for a free consultation.
How Bus and Car Accident Injury Claims Differ in Georgia
Traffic accidents happen every day across Georgia, and while no two crashes are ever the same, the type of vehicles involved can make a big difference in how a personal injury claim is handled. Collisions involving passenger cars follow one legal path. Accidents with buses, however, raise additional questions about liability, insurance coverage, and even timelines for filing a claim.
If you were injured in an accident involving a bus in Georgia—whether as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian—you need to know how these cases differ from standard car crashes. Understanding the distinctions can help you take the right steps and protect your legal rights from the start.
Buses are held to different standards of care
Bus drivers are not just everyday motorists. When operating a commercial or public transit vehicle, they’re considered “common carriers” under Georgia law. This means they owe a higher duty of care to their passengers and the public. A bus driver must take extra precautions to avoid causing harm, such as obeying traffic laws, maintaining safe speeds, and ensuring that the vehicle is in proper working condition.
In contrast, drivers of personal cars must follow standard road rules but are not held to this elevated legal standard. This difference in duty of care can play a key role in proving negligence in a bus accident claim. If a bus driver fails to uphold that higher responsibility, they—and their employer—may be more easily held liable for resulting injuries.
More potential parties may be responsible in a bus accident
When two cars crash, the process often involves determining which driver was at fault. But bus accidents tend to involve multiple layers of responsibility. The bus driver may be at fault, but so might the transit authority, a private company, a maintenance contractor, or even a school district.
If the bus is publicly owned—such as a city or county transit service—your claim may involve government agencies. That changes the entire process. In Georgia, filing an injury claim against a government entity comes with stricter rules and much shorter deadlines.
Private bus companies, like charter buses or tour services, may have commercial insurance policies with higher limits. But they may also have aggressive legal teams defending them. Identifying the correct party and building a strong case often requires legal help early in the process.
Different types of evidence may be available
Car accidents usually involve police reports, driver statements, and witness accounts. While these are important in any case, bus accident claims may provide additional sources of evidence. For example:
- Many buses have internal cameras that record activity on the bus and sometimes on the road
- Electronic logging devices may track the bus driver’s hours and routes
- Maintenance logs can show whether the vehicle was properly serviced
- Company training and hiring records may reveal patterns of negligence
This kind of evidence can be harder to obtain without legal assistance, especially when large transit authorities or companies are involved. Preserving it quickly is key to strengthening a claim.
Injuries tend to be more severe in bus crashes
Buses are larger and heavier than passenger cars, and their size can lead to more serious injuries—both for people inside the bus and for those in smaller vehicles. Riders on buses also often lack seat belts, making them more vulnerable in a crash.
Victims of bus accidents may suffer broken bones, head trauma, internal injuries, or lasting psychological effects. The more serious the injury, the more complex the legal process becomes. There may be questions about long-term medical care, future earnings, and the overall impact on your life.
In contrast, many car accident injuries, while still painful and costly, may be more straightforward to handle through an insurance claim.
Insurance coverage works differently
After a car accident, you typically deal with the at-fault driver’s personal insurance provider. But bus accidents involve commercial or government insurance policies that have their own procedures and requirements.
Public buses in Georgia are often operated by local or state agencies. Claims against government entities involve a process called “ante litem notice,” which must be submitted within a specific time frame—often just six months from the date of the accident. Missing that deadline could result in losing your right to compensation.
With privately owned buses, you may be dealing with a corporate insurer that has high policy limits. While this sounds like a good thing, it usually means the insurance company will push back harder to minimize what they pay.
More people may be injured in a single crash
In a car accident, typically only the drivers and their passengers are involved. In a bus crash, there could be dozens of victims. That means more injury claims may be filed at once.
When many people are injured in the same event, insurers may attempt to resolve claims as quickly and cheaply as possible. There may be competition for limited settlement funds if insurance policy limits are not enough to cover everyone’s injuries. Working with a lawyer can help ensure your claim is not overlooked or undervalued.
Bus crash claims often require more investigation
Because bus accidents involve complex liability issues, multiple victims, and a high standard of care, they usually require a more detailed investigation. A car accident may be resolved by reviewing a police report and exchanging insurance information. Bus accidents can require accident reconstruction experts, review of video footage, medical evaluations, and more.
For this reason, resolving a bus injury claim may take longer than a standard car crash claim. Patience is important, especially when serious injuries are involved.
Time limits can be much shorter for bus claims
As mentioned earlier, government-run buses involve shorter deadlines for legal action. In Georgia, an ante litem notice must be properly served before you can sue a city or county. If the bus is operated by the state, the deadline and requirements may vary.
Failing to meet these strict deadlines could result in your case being dismissed, no matter how strong your evidence is. For car accidents involving private individuals, Georgia generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. With bus accidents, that window could be as short as six months.
Legal Representation Becomes More Important
While many car accident victims can resolve their claims without legal help, bus crash victims usually face greater legal and procedural hurdles. With multiple parties involved, stricter timelines, and more serious injuries, having a personal injury attorney can make a meaningful difference.
A lawyer familiar with bus accident claims in Georgia can investigate the facts, identify the correct parties, preserve key evidence, and represent your interests in negotiations or court.
Connect with a Fayetteville Bus Accident Attorney for Legal Support
Bus accidents can involve complex claims against large companies or public agencies. If you’re struggling to get the compensation you deserve, a Fayetteville bus accident attorney at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. is here to help. Contact us at 770-205-8887 today for a free consultation and personalized legal guidance.