Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a bus crash in Atlanta, you need an experienced bus accident lawyer to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. From MARTA collisions in Midtown to school bus accidents in Decatur or charter bus crashes on I-285, these cases often involve multiple liable parties and can result in severe injuries, mounting medical bills, and emotional trauma. On top of that, insurance claims can become complicated due to multiple liable parties. An Atlanta bus accident attorney can be the light in these difficult times. 

Our Atlanta bus accident lawyers, led by Matt Wetherington, handle all the complex Georgia personal injury laws, like OCGA § 51-1-2, to hold negligent parties like bus drivers, bus companies, or other motorists accountable. Our personal injury lawyers meticulously investigate each case, gathering critical evidence like black box data, surveillance footage from the accident scene, or driver logs to prove liability. We pursue maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33) may reduce compensation if you’re found partially at fault, and the two-year statute of limitations (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33) adds urgency, especially under the stricter standards of the 2025 Georgia Tort Reform Law (effective April 21, 2025). With many restrictions from the 2025 Georgia Tort Reform Law, there is a greater need for a bus accident attorney in these claims than ever. 

Led by Matt Wetherington, a Georgia Super Lawyer, our Atlanta bus accident attorneys, with over $500 million in verdicts, provide expert representation across Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb Counties. Contact us for a free consultation to start your bus accident claim. Call our bus accident lawyer at (404) 888-4444 or fill out our free consultation form today.

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What Are the Qualities to Look for in an Atlanta Bus Accident Attorney?

Choosing the right Atlanta bus accident attorney is crucial for bus accident claims, as these cases involve complex liability disputes, severe damages, and resistant insurers, compounded by the 2025 Georgia Tort Reform Law’s procedural hurdles. A skilled bus accident attorney secures compensation for your medical costs, lost income, and suffering. Here are key qualities to seek:

• Expertise in Bus Accident Cases: Your bus accident lawyer must understand Georgia’s traffic laws (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-1 et seq.), common carrier regulations (O.C.G.A. § 46-9-132), and personal injury statutes (O.C.G.A. § 51-1-2), and the complexities of proving fault against transit companies or government entities. They should be able to deal with how the 2025 Georgia tort reform law affects your claim. Experience with Atlanta cases, like MARTA crashes in midtown Atlanta, and analyzing black box data or maintenance records is essential. Our team excels at proving negligence.
• Compassion and Client Focus: Your bus accident attorney should empathize with your pain, whether you’re a parent in Buckhead facing disability or a worker in East Point unable to earn. We offer clear communication and personalized care.
• Negotiation Prowess: Insurers often minimize injury severity or exploit tort reform rules, like actual medical cost evidence, to reduce payouts. A skilled bus accident attorney uses medical expert testimony and accident reconstructions to counter these tactics, maximizing recoveries across Georgia.
• Trial Experience: With bifurcated trials under the new tort reform law, your lawyer must be trial-ready. Our bus accident attorneys, including Robert Friedman and James Cox, have a history of courtroom success in Georgia’s courts.
• Local Knowledge of Atlanta: Familiarity with Atlanta’s highways, like I-75, or transit hubs, like Five Points Station, helps pinpoint liability in bus accident hotspots. Our Atlanta-native team leverages this expertise.
• Contingency Fee Structure: No upfront fees; we only charge if you win (typically 33%–40% in Georgia). Free consultations ensure transparency.
• Maximizing Compensation: We pursue all damages, including future care and pain and suffering (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5), working with medical specialists and economic experts.

Ready to hire a bus accident attorney? Call Wetherington Law Firm at (404) 888-4444 or fill out our free consultation form today.

What Compensation Is Available After a Bus Accident in Georgia?

If you suffered a bus accident injury in a crash on I-75, a pedestrian accident in Brookhaven, or another incident, you shouldn’t bear the financial burden of someone else’s negligence. In Georgia, you can seek:

• Medical Expenses: Covers emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future needs at facilities like Piedmont Hospital, though tort reform limits evidence to actual costs paid.
• Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Recovers income lost during recovery or due to permanent disabilities, proven with vocational experts (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-4).
• Pain and Suffering: Compensates physical pain, emotional distress, or disability, though tort reform bans “anchoring” high damage figures (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5).
• Wrongful Death Damages: If a bus accident led to death, pursue funeral costs, loss of support, and the “full value of the life” (O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2).
• Punitive Damages: For gross negligence, like a drunk bus driver in Marietta, capped at $500,000 or $1 million for intentional misconduct (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1).

How Is Liability Determined in Bus Accident Cases in Atlanta, Georgia?

Determining liability in bus accident cases in Atlanta is critical to securing compensation for injuries from crashes on I-85, pedestrian accidents in College Park, or collisions in Roswell. Under Georgia’s personal injury laws (O.C.G.A. § 51-1-2), liability depends on proving negligence:

• Duty of Care: Defendants, like bus drivers or transit companies, owe a heightened duty as common carriers to ensure safety on roads like Roswell Road or at stops like Five Points Station (O.C.G.A. § 46-9-132).
• Breach of Duty: A breach occurs when a driver texts or a company skips maintenance, leading to a crash in Buckhead.
• Causation: The breach directly causes the injury, like a fatigued driver causing a TBI, linked by black box data or police reports.
• Damages: You suffered losses, like medical bills or disability, documented through records from Grady Hospital.

The 2025 Georgia Tort Reform Law imposes stricter liability standards (e.g., seatbelt evidence in auto cases) and procedural challenges like bifurcated trials, while Georgia’s comparative negligence rule (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33) may reduce compensation if you’re partially at fault.

Our Atlanta bus accident attorneys counter with robust evidence, building strong cases in courts from Fulton to DeKalb County. Act within Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33), or six months for government entities (O.C.G.A. § 50-21-26).

What Evidence is Essential for Bus Accident Claims in Atlanta, Ga?

To build a strong bus accident claim in Atlanta, several key pieces of evidence are critical to proving who was at fault and the extent of your damages. Without this evidence, insurance companies may deny your claim or offer far less than you deserve.

The most essential evidence includes:

• Accident Reports: Police reports and incident reports filed by agencies like MARTA or school districts are vital for documenting the crash, identifying liable parties, and noting immediate observations at the scene.
• Black Box Data: Most commercial buses have event data recorders (EDRs) that capture speed, braking, and mechanical data at the time of the crash, critical for proving negligence.
• Surveillance Footage: Video from traffic cameras, nearby businesses, or even onboard cameras can capture the collision and the moments leading up to it.
• Witness Statements: Independent witnesses often provide unbiased accounts that support your version of events.
• Driver Logs & Maintenance Records: These can reveal issues like driver fatigue, hours violations, or improper bus maintenance, all of which may point to negligence by the driver or bus company.
• Medical Records & Expert Testimony: Your treatment records and opinions from medical or accident reconstruction experts help prove both liability and the full extent of your injuries.
• Photographs of the Scene & Vehicles: Images of the crash scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and injuries can be powerful evidence when negotiating with insurers or presenting your case in court.

Because key evidence like black box data or surveillance footage can be lost or destroyed quickly, it’s critical to contact a qualified Atlanta bus accident attorney right away. At Wetherington Law Firm, we act fast to secure the proof you need, giving you the strongest chance at full compensation.

How an Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help After an Accident in Atlanta

A bus accident attorney is a specialized attorney who represents victims or families seeking justice and compensation after a bus accident causes injuries or wrongful death. In Georgia, these lawyers navigate complex state laws, like OCGA § 51-1-2, and federal regulations to hold negligent parties like bus drivers, companies, or other motorists accountable for crashes on Atlanta’s I-285, MARTA routes, or school bus lanes.

By investigating accidents, proving liability, and securing damages for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma, they help clients rebuild their lives. Their primary responsibilities include:

1. Investigating the Accident

Lawyers conduct thorough investigations to identify liable parties, such as bus operators, maintenance crews, or government entities like MARTA. They collect evidence like:

• Black Box Data: Records speed, braking, and driver behavior, common in modern buses.
• Crash Reports: Police findings from I-75 or Peachtree Street incidents.
• Surveillance Footage: Captures events near Hartsfield-Jackson Airport or Downtown Atlanta.
• Witness Statements: Accounts clarifying fault, like a driver’s distraction in Buckhead.

2. Proving Liability

To establish negligence, bus accident lawyers prove duty, breach, causation, and damages under OCGA § 51-1-2. They use:

• Expert Testimony: Accident reconstructionists analyze crash dynamics; engineers assess bus maintenance failures.
• Corporate Records: Show company negligence, like ignored safety protocols by a charter bus operator.
• Driver Logs: Reveal violations of federal hours-of-service rules.

They counter defenses like comparative negligence (OCGA § 51-11-7), ensuring the victim’s fault doesn’t unfairly reduce damages.

3. Calculating and Pursuing Damages

Lawyers assess the full scope of losses, pursuing:

• Medical Costs: Hospital bills, rehabilitation, ongoing care.
• Lost Wages: Income lost due to injuries, vital for families in Sandy Springs or Athens.
• Emotional Distress: Trauma from the crash, valued through psychological evaluations.

4. Navigating Legal Deadlines

Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations (OCGA § 9-3-33) requires prompt filing, with exceptions for minors or fraud (OCGA § 9-3-90, § 9-3-96). Bus accident attorneys ensure timely action in courts like Fulton County Superior Court, preserving evidence like black box data before it’s lost in Atlanta’s fast-paced environment.

5. Negotiating Settlements and Litigating

Most cases settle, but personal injury lawyers negotiate aggressively with insurers to avoid lowball offers, leveraging evidence to secure fair payouts. If needed, they litigate, presenting compelling cases to judges or juries, as Matt Wetherington’s team has, achieving significant verdicts. Their trial readiness ensures maximum recovery, whether for injuries or wrongful death in a MARTA bus crash.

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Who Can Be Held Liable in a Bus Accident in Georgia?

In a bus accident, more than one person or company could be responsible for what happened. Figuring out who is to blame is important because it helps decide who should pay for your injuries and damages. Here are some of the people or groups that could be held liable:

• The Bus Company: The company that owns the bus is usually responsible for making sure it is safe and that the drivers are well-trained. If the company didn’t properly maintain the bus or hire qualified drivers, they could be held liable.
• The Bus Driver: If the driver was speeding, distracted, or driving recklessly, they might be at fault. Bus drivers are responsible for keeping their passengers safe and following the rules of the road.
• Maintenance Contractors: Sometimes, a separate company is hired to inspect and repair buses. If they didn’t do their job right and a mechanical failure caused the accident, they could also be held responsible.
• Other Drivers: If another vehicle on the road caused the bus accident, that driver could be held liable too. This might happen if another driver was speeding, ran a red light, or drove carelessly, causing the bus to crash.
• Government Entities: If the accident happened because of bad road conditions, like a pothole or broken traffic light, the city or government agency responsible for maintaining the roads could be liable.

What are the Common Injuries in Bus Accidents in Georgia? 

Bus accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, many of them severe. Here are some of the most common injuries that happen in bus accidents:

• Head and Brain Injuries: When someone hits their head during a bus crash, it can cause a concussion or even more serious brain injuries. These injuries can affect a person’s ability to think, work, or take care of themselves.
• Broken Bones: Because buses don’t usually have seat belts, passengers can be thrown around during a crash, leading to broken bones. These injuries often require long recoveries and might need surgery.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the back and spinal cord can lead to paralysis or long-term pain. These injuries often require expensive medical treatments and can change a person’s life forever.
• Cuts and Bruises: Flying glass, metal, or even other passengers can cause cuts and bruises during a bus accident. While these injuries might seem minor, they can still require medical attention and leave scars.
• Emotional Trauma: Being in a bus accident can be a very scary experience. Many victims suffer from emotional trauma, including anxiety and depression, long after the physical injuries have healed.

What to Do After a Bus Accident in Atlanta, Georgia

If you’ve been in a bus accident, it’s important to take the right steps to protect yourself and your legal rights. Here’s what you should do:

1. Get Medical Help: Your health is the most important thing. Even if you don’t feel hurt right away, get checked by a doctor. Some injuries, like concussions or internal injuries, don’t show symptoms immediately.
2. Report the Accident: Make sure the police and the bus company are notified about the accident. This creates an official record of what happened, which is helpful if you decide to file a claim later.
3. Collect Evidence: If you’re able, take photos of the accident scene, the bus, and your injuries. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw what happened.
4. Keep Track of Expenses: Save all your medical bills, receipts, and records of missed work. This will help show how much the accident has cost you, which is important for getting fair compensation.
5. Talk to a Lawyer: Bus accidents can be complicated, and having a lawyer on your side will make sure your rights are protected. A lawyer can help you file a claim and deal with the bus company and insurance companies.

At Wetherington Law Firm, we offer free consultations to review your case and discuss your options. We’ll make sure you take the right steps to protect your health and get the compensation you deserve. Get in touch with us today!

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Types of Bus Accident Cases We Handle in Atlanta

There are different types of buses in Atlanta, and accidents can happen with any of them. Here are the most common types of bus accidents:

• School Bus Accidents: School buses transport children to and from school. Accidents involving school buses can be serious because young children are involved. In these cases, both the school district and the bus company might be responsible.
• Public Transportation Accidents (MARTA): MARTA operates buses across Atlanta. If you’re in an accident with a MARTA bus, you need to act quickly because claims against public transportation companies often have special deadlines and rules.
• Private Charter Bus Accidents: These buses are rented for long trips or special events. Private companies own them, and if you were injured in an accident involving a charter bus, the company that owns the bus might be held responsible.
• Shuttle or Tour Bus Accidents: Hotels, airports, and tourist companies often use shuttle or tour buses. Even though these buses are smaller, accidents involving them can still cause serious injuries. The companies running these buses are responsible for keeping them safe and ensuring drivers are trained.

Each bus accident is unique, and the legal process may be different depending on the type of bus. Our team has experience handling all types of bus accident cases and will fight to get the best result for you.

Why Choose Wetherington Law Firm as Your Atlanta Bus Accident Attorneys?

At Wetherington Law Firm, we know how to navigate the complexities of these claims. Our team understands how to handle large insurance companies and negotiate settlements for clients injured on MARTA buses, private buses, and school buses.

Here’s why hiring our Atlanta bus accident attorney makes a difference:

1. Local Knowledge of Atlanta’s Roads, Bus Routes, and Accident Hotspots

Bus accidents often happen in high-traffic areas where pedestrians, cars, and buses are all sharing the road. Busy corridors like Peachtree Street, Ponce de Leon Avenue, and the Downtown Connector are well-known for congestion and frequent collisions.

Local attorneys know the unique risks in these areas. We understand the bus routes that operate through neighborhoods like Midtown, Downtown, Virginia-Highland, and Inman Park. If your accident occurred at a high-risk intersection or a designated bus-only lane, our attorneys know exactly how to build a case around it. We also understand MARTA’s legal obligations to keep passengers safe, giving us a strong foundation for pursuing compensation.

2. Faster Response and 24/7 Availability

When you’re involved in a bus accident, time is critical. You need to act fast to preserve evidence like bus camera footage, eyewitness statements, and police reports. Without this evidence, it becomes harder to prove liability.

At Wetherington Law Firm, we offer 24/7 availability. If you’re searching for an Atlanta bus accident attorney, you can call us any time of the day or night. Our local team will meet you in person, review your case, and begin collecting evidence immediately.

Need to drop off medical bills or other documents? Our office is right here in Atlanta, so you’ll never have to wait. You’ll have direct access to your attorney, not just a paralegal or a call center.

3. Handling Complex Claims Against Bus Companies and Insurance Providers

When you’re dealing with MARTA buses, school buses, or private charter buses, you’re not just dealing with one driver — you’re dealing with corporate insurance companies and government entities. These companies have large legal teams working to reduce payouts for accident claims.

That’s why you need a law firm with experience handling big insurance adjusters. At Wetherington Law Firm, we know how these companies operate. We know their strategies, and we know how to counter them. When insurers see that you have a respected local firm like ours on your side, they’re more likely to offer a fair settlement.

If they refuse to pay what you deserve, we’ll take them to court. We’ve gone head-to-head with big insurers before, and we’re prepared to do it again.

4. Personalized Support and Direct Access to Your Attorney

When you hire one of those big-box, out-of-town law firms, you might never meet the attorney handling your case. You’ll be passed off to assistants or paralegals. But at Wetherington Law Firm, we offer personalized attention. You’ll work directly with your attorney from start to finish.

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all strategies. Every bus accident is unique, and every client deserves personal attention. From the moment you contact us, you’ll be kept informed of every update, every settlement offer, and every legal step we take.

5. Proven Results

We’ve helped many people recover the compensation they deserve after a bus accident. Our track record of success speaks for itself.

6. No Fees Unless We Win

We believe everyone deserves access to quality legal representation. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis—you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case.

Contact Our Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation

Take the first step toward justice today. Contact an Atlanta bus accident lawyer for a free, no-obligation consultation, and let us guide you through your options. You don’t pay unless we win your case. Call us at 404-888-4444 or fill out our online form now to get started. We’re ready to stand by your side.

Neighborhoods We Serve in Atlanta

If you’re looking for an Atlanta bus accident lawyer, Wetherington Law Firm proudly serves all of Atlanta’s top neighborhoods, including:

• Downtown Atlanta (30303)
• Midtown Atlanta (30309)
• Atlantic Station (30363)
• Virginia-Highland (30306)
• Old Fourth Ward (30308)
• Grant Park (30312)
• Cabbagetown (30316)
• Inman Park (30307)
• West End (30310)
• East Atlanta (30316)

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Summary of Georgia’s Laws for Accidents

Driving While Intoxicated

OCGA 40-6-253 and OCGA 40-6-391

Speeding

OCGA 40-6-181

Using a Phone While Driving

OCGA 40-6-241

Failing to Yield to Pedestrians

OCGA 40-6-91, OCGA 40-6-92, OCGA 40-6-93, and OCGA 40-6-96

Failing to Obey a Traffic Official

OCGA 40-6-2

Conducting a Police Chase in a Reckless Manner

OCGA 40-6-6

Failing to Change Lanes to Give Space for Parked Emergency Vehicles and Construction Workers

OCGA 40-6-16 and OCGA 40-6-75

Tampering with or Stealing Road Signs

OCGA 40-6-26

Failing to Maintain One Lane

OCGA 40-6-40 and OCGA 40-6-48

Going the Wrong Way on a One-Way Road

OCGA 40-6-47 and OCGA 40-6-240

Driving a Tractor-Trailer or Bus in the Far-Left Lane(s)

OCGA 40-6-52

Failing to Yield to Emergency Vehicles

OCGA 40-6-74

Making an Improper U-Turn

OCGA 40-6-121

Failing to Exercise Due Caution Near Railroad Crossings

OCGA 40-6-140 and OCGA 40-6-142

Driving Too Slow in the Fast Lane

OCGA 40-6-184

Failing to Slow and Exercise Caution in Construction Zones

OCGA 40-6-188

Obstructing an Intersection

OCGA 40-6-205

Failing to Secure all Loads

OCGA 40-6-248.1 and OCGA 40-6-254

Driving Recklessly

OCGA 40-6-390

Causing Serious Injury by Vehicle

OCGA 40-6-394

Running a Red or Yellow Traffic Light

OCGA 40-6-20, OCGA 40-6-21, and OCGA 40-6-23

Traveling Too Close to Other Vehicles

OCGA 40-6-49

Running Stop and Yield Signs

OCGA 40-6-72

Failing to Yield to Other Vehicles

OCGA 40-6-70 and OCGA 40-6-73

Driving on the Shoulder, Gore, or Other Prohibited Areas

OCGA 40-6-50

Fleeing Police Officers

OCGA 40-6-395

Road Rage

OCGA 40-6-397

Tampering with Traffic Signals

OCGA 40-6-25, OCGA 40-6-17, and OCGA 40-6-396

Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road

OCGA 40-6-40 and OCGA 40-6-45

Passing Another Vehicle Improperly

OCGA 40-6-42, OCGA 40-6-43, OCGA 40-6-44, and OCGA 40-6-46

Going the Wrong Way in a Roundabout

OCGA 40-6-47

Turning the Wrong Way at an Intersection

OCGA 40-6-71 and OCGA 40-6-120

Failing to Yield to Funeral Processions

OCGA 40-6-76

Failing to Use Turn Signals

OCGA 40-6-123

Failing to Stop First Before Exiting a Parking Lot

OCGA 40-6-144

Drag Racing

OCGA 40-6-186

Parking a Vehicle in an Unsafe Place

OCGA 40-6-202

Driving a Vehicle with an Obstructed View

OCGA 40-6-242

Laying Drags or Intentionally Making Skid Marks

OCGA 40-6-251

Intentionally Striking and Killing a Person with a Vehicle

OCGA 40-6-393

Failing to Follow Pedestrian Traffic Signals

OCGA 40-6-22

Failing to Drive Motorcycles Safely

OCGA 40-6-310 and OCGA 40-6-311