Savannah Bus Accident Lawyer

Bus accidents are legally complex affairs that may present a significant burden to a victim suffering injuries. If you or someone you love incurred injuries or other damages in an accident involving a bus, you need the guidance of an attorney. Contact the Savannah attorneys at Butler Prather LLP today to schedule a free initial consultation. Our experience and dedication to helping others is unmatched in Georgia.

We have over 30 years of experience as a firm. In this time, we’ve secured several settlements in excess of $100 million, including the largest collected judgment in the United States.
We are selective about the types of cases we handle, which allows us to dedicate our full attention and power to your unique problem.
We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, so you’ll never pay any attorney’s fees unless we win.

Bus Accident Statistics in Georgia

Since buses are commercial motor vehicles, they are subject to surveillance and reporting by the Federal Motor Carrier and Safety Administration, a division of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. According to their Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS):

On America’s roadways, 7,461 lost their lives in crashes involving large trucks and buses in 2016.
Fatalities involving large trucks and buses increased 5% between 2015 and 2016.
Buses and large trucks account for 12% of all traffic deaths.

FARS also notes that Georgia ranks in the top ten states with the highest average of fatal large truck and bus crashes between 2014 and 2016.

In Savannah, bus accidents can occur with public buses on the Chatham Area Transit (CAT) system, school buses in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, or on a charter or coach bus including Greyhound buses.

Who Is Liable?

Liability in bus accidents is complex and may involve both state and federal laws. Of particular note is the idea that buses are “common carriers,” since they offer transportation in exchange for pay. Common carriers have a higher duty of care to passengers and other motorists on the road, so they are more likely to commit negligence in an accident than the average driver.

However, the nature of a bus driver’s employment may complicate liability. Bus accident claims often involve municipal entities, which require different processes for filing a claim and feature a shorter statute of limitations. It’s essential to retain the services of an attorney with experience in these types of claims.

Why You Need an Attorney

Since common carrier claims may involve actions against private or municipal entities, one of the first steps in litigating a bus accident case is determining the parties responsible. This requires a thorough investigation into a claim and negotiation with insurance companies to demand fair compensation for injuries, pain, and suffering.

Victims of bus accidents may be eligible for compensation for both material and intangible losses. Damages that a victim may be able to collect include:

Compensation for economic losses. Victims of bus accidents may incur serious financial losses associated with medical bills, lost wages, or expected future therapy costs. Economic damages seek to provide reimbursement for these costs.
Payment for intangible losses. Also called “general damages,” these seek to compensate for intangible losses associated with an accident, including physical pain and suffering, emotional anguish, trauma, or loss in life quality.

Bus accidents may involve complex matters of both federal and Georgia law. As such, it’s essential to retain the services of an attorney familiar with these types of cases. The lawyers at Butler Prather LLP have experience in litigating many types of bus accident cases, including those against municipal entities.

Common carriers like buses have a higher duty of care to passengers and others on the road. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a bus accident, contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation and learn more about your next steps.