Bus AccidentInjury Lawyers

If you are riding in a city bus or are hit by a city bus, you should talk to a lawyer immediately.

Everything becomes more difficult when dealing with the city. For one thing, you have a shorter deadline when seeking compensation. The notice to the city must be sent in a prescribed form, and you only have six months to make a claim.

So, if you are hit by a commercial or large vehicle, you should check to see if the vehicle is owned by a municipality. If it is, you should act with urgency for your lawsuit and put the liable parties on notice. Having said that, there is never a day that is too early to gather evidence, preserve testimony, and make the parties responsible preserve evidence in their hands as well.

Causes of Bus Accidents

The Law Offices of Gary Bruce has been serving the Columbus community for more than 35 years. In that time, we have seen many different causes of bus accidents, including:

•         Driver fatigue or falling asleep at the wheel
•         Distracted driving, such as phone use, GPS, or passenger interaction
•         Speeding or driving too fast for traffic or weather conditions
•         Improper training or inexperience operating large buses
•         Failure to obey traffic laws or signals
•         Poor bus maintenance or mechanical failures of the brakes, tires, or steering
•         Hazardous road conditions, such as construction zones, debris, or poor signage
•         Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
•         Overloaded or improperly loaded buses
•         Negligent hiring or supervision by the bus company

Once we identify how your bus crash occurred, we then determine who was at fault for your injuries.

Liable Parties in Bus Accidents

In a bus collision, there could be numerous parties at fault, such as:

•         The bus driver
•         The bus company or transportation provider
•         A private company
•         A government entity or school district
•         A maintenance or repair company
•         The manufacturer of the bus or defective parts
•         A third-party driver

To clarify, if your bus driver was speeding, drunk, texting, or otherwise driving carelessly and caused the accident, then you’ll need to get compensation from the bus company’s insurance. If it was a public or school bus, you’ll be dealing with the government or school district.

If the accident was caused by another driver, then your compensation could come from that driver’s insurance. If it was caused by a mechanical issue, the liable party may be the manufacturer of the part that caused the problem, or a mechanic who didn’t fix the problem properly.

And in some instances, you may be filing claims against multiple liable parties who failed in their duty. We can handle each for you.

Bus collisions can cause severe injuries, whether you were riding the bus, driving a car, or walking down the street. Common injuries we have seen from bus accidents can include:

•       Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
•       Spinal cord injury, including paralysis
•         Broken bones
•         Burns
•         Severe lacerations
•         Internal organ damage

These injuries can be life-altering and require immediate medical attention, and the medical bills can be astronomical. Plus, the damage doesn’t end with medical expenses. Injuries can keep you out of work, affect your daily routine, and impact your home life.

Attorney Gary Bruce and his legal team understand the effect these injuries can have on a person. During our investigation, we will compile a list of your full range of losses, from the economic damages to the impact on your quality of life:

•         Medical expenses, such as emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, rehabilitation, and medications
•         Future medical costs for ongoing or long-term treatment
•         Lost wages from time missed at work
•         Loss of future earning capacity if you cannot return to your job
•         Pain and suffering caused by your injuries
•         Emotional distress, anxiety, or trauma due to the bus wreck
•         Permanent disability or disfigurement
•         Loss of enjoyment of life and daily activities
•         Property damage, if personal belongings were damaged in the collision

Sadly, these wrecks can also end up being fatal. If your loved one was killed in a bus wreck, contact us about a wrongful death lawsuit. We know that no amount of money can bring your loved one back, but we can at least help you get compensation for all the expenses your family has incurred.

Georgia law places strict deadlines, known as the statutes of limitations, on how long you have to take legal action, and missing them can permanently prevent you from recovering compensation. With bus accidents, you may be affected by one of three laws:

• Personal Injury Lawsuits: Generally, you have two years from the date of the bus wreck to file a lawsuit under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33
• Claims Against Government Entities: Claims against a public bus often require notice in as little as 6 to 12 months under O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5 (city) or O.C.G.A. § 50-21-26 (state)

If you miss these deadlines, your case can be dismissed, no matter how strong it is or how serious your injuries are.

Acting early does more than protect your rights. It allows the Law Offices of Gary Bruce to preserve evidence, guide you through the process, and prevent costly mistakes. Calling sooner gives you clarity, protection, and a stronger path forward.

If you or a loved one was injured in a bus accident, don’t hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Gary Bruce at 706-786-4428 for your complimentary consultation. Our Columbus bus accident lawyers treat each of our clients as family, and we will fight for you every step of the way.

We proudly serve clients in Columbus and Fort Benning (formerly Fort Moore), GA, as well as Phenix City, AL. ​