When you or a loved one is involved in a bus accident in Augusta, it can feel overwhelming. Seeking legal help after a public transportation accident is essential to protect your rights. At Horst Shewmaker, we understand the unique challenges involved in filing a bus accident claim.
An experienced Augusta bus accident attorney can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Reach out to us for a free consultation today.
What to Do After a Bus Accident in Augusta
The steps you take in the moments and days following a bus crash can help protect your rights and strengthen your case.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
After a bus accident, your health and safety are the top priority. Even if you don’t think your injuries are serious, it’s essential to see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries, like concussions or whiplash, might not show immediate symptoms, but they can become serious over time.
Seeing a doctor right away also helps establish a clear link between the accident and your injuries. Medical records are crucial pieces of evidence when you file a claim. They show the extent of your injuries and the treatments you’ve received, which can be key to proving the damages you’re seeking.
Report the Accident to the Police
In Georgia, you must report an auto accident that results in injury, death, or property damage over $500. The police will create an official accident report that can be very helpful when filing your claim.
If you were a passenger on the bus, report the accident to the bus company or agency that operates the bus. This ensures there’s a formal record of the incident.
If you were in another vehicle involved in the accident, you should also notify your insurance company about the crash.
Collect Information and Document the Scene
Gathering evidence is one of the most important steps in building a strong bus accident claim. Try to collect as much evidence as possible at the accident scene. Keep records of your medical bills, lost income, and expenses.
- Accident scene photos: Take pictures of the accident scene, including the damage to the bus and any other vehicles, skid marks, traffic signs, and weather conditions.
- Contact information: Get the names and contact details of the bus driver, other drivers involved, witnesses, and anyone else who saw the accident.
- Bus information: Note the bus number, license plate, and the name of the bus company or transit agency.
- Medical records: Keep copies of all medical bills, prescriptions, and treatment notes related to your injuries.
- Lost wages: If you’ve missed work because of the accident, keep a record of your lost income.
Contact an Augusta Bus Accident Attorney
One of the most important steps is to contact a qualified Augusta bus accident lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights, deal with insurance companies, and navigate the legal complexities that often come with bus accident claims.
Bus Accident Claim Process
After a bus accident, it’s important to know that you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and losses. This compensation can cover a range of expenses, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. However, to recover these damages, you must file a personal injury claim against the responsible party.
Dealing with the legal process after a bus accident can be stressful. That’s why at Horst Shewmaker, we handle the details of your case so you can focus on healing and moving forward.
Identifying Who Is Responsible
Figuring out who is legally responsible for your injuries is an essential step in filing a bus accident claim. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, multiple parties may be involved.
- The bus driver: If the driver was negligent (for example, speeding or driving distracted), they could be at fault.
- The bus company: Companies are generally liable for accidents caused by employees in the course of their job duties. The company may also be held responsible for failure to properly train drivers, poor bus maintenance, or safety violations.
- A government entity: If the bus is operated by a city or county agency, the government entity might be responsible.
- Other drivers: If another driver caused the accident, they could also be held accountable.
- Bus manufacturers or maintenance companies: If a mechanical defect or poor maintenance contributed to the accident, the manufacturer or maintenance company could share the blame.
An experienced Augusta bus accident attorney can help investigate your case and determine who is at fault.
Gathering Evidence
Gathering strong evidence is one of the most critical parts of the bus accident injury claim process, and it’s something an experienced attorney will take very seriously. At Horst Shewmaker, our team begins by conducting a thorough investigation. This includes obtaining the official police report and reviewing medical records.
We’ll request the bus’s black box and video footage from any nearby traffic cameras. In some cases, we work with accident reconstruction experts who analyze physical evidence to determine the cause of the collision.
Filing an Insurance Claim
Filing an insurance claim after a bus accident can be complicated, especially when multiple parties and insurance policies are involved. Each insurer will likely conduct an investigation. Insurance companies may try to shift blame or downplay the severity of your injuries to reduce their payout.
An Augusta bus accident lawyer will handle communications with insurance adjusters and prevent you from making statements that could be used against you. Insurance companies often offer low settlements in hopes that victims will accept quickly, but we push for the full compensation you deserve.
Settlement Negotiation
After gathering all the necessary evidence, our Augusta bus accident lawyers will present a demand to the insurance company outlining the damages you’re seeking. This includes compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, future care needs, and pain and suffering.
The insurance company may respond with a lower offer, triggering a series of negotiations aimed at reaching a fair and reasonable settlement. Throughout this process, your attorney will advocate for the full compensation you deserve.
Taking a Bus Accident Lawsuit to Trial
If settlement negotiations don’t result in a fair offer, the next step is filing a bus accident lawsuit. Once a lawsuit is filed, the case enters the litigation phase, which includes discovery (the exchange of evidence), depositions, and possibly pre-trial motions.
While most bus accident claims do settle before trial, being prepared and willing to go to court gives you leverage during negotiations. If your case does go to trial, you can count on our team at Horst Shewmaker to fight for the financial recovery you deserve. Our experienced attorneys know how to present compelling arguments, cross-examine witnesses, and counter the defense’s tactics.
Deadlines for Filing a Bus Injury Claim in Georgia
One of the biggest mistakes accident victims make is waiting too long to file a claim. In Georgia, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is typically two years from the date of the accident. However, if your claim involves a government-owned bus (like a city transit bus), you might have much shorter deadlines to file a notice of claim, sometimes as little as six months.
Because of these strict deadlines, it’s crucial to start the process as soon as possible. Missing a deadline can mean losing your right to seek compensation altogether. An Augusta bus accident lawyer can make sure you meet all the necessary deadlines.
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation
Filing a bus accident claim in Augusta can be a complicated process, especially when you’re up against government agencies or large bus companies. But you don’t have to go through it alone. At Horst Shewmaker, we’re committed to helping bus accident victims get the justice they deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, don’t wait to get help. Contact us today for a free consultation by calling (404) 400-1175 or completing our online form.
