Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyers

Awards & Accolades

These honors reflect Thompson Law’s national recognition for excellence, led by founding attorney Ryan L. Thompson, and brought to Georgia by our local Atlanta team.

Why Bus Crashes in Atlanta Are Legally Complex

Buses are large, heavy vehicles that take longer to brake and create wider blind spots. When they collide with cars, cyclists, or pedestrians, the injuries can be severe—and the legal issues are more complex than a typical auto claim. Here’s why:

• Multiple potentially liable parties. Depending on the facts, fault can involve the driver, a private carrier, a third-party contractor, a maintenance vendor, the manufacturer of a defective part, or a public entity (city, county, or state).
• Government-entity rules. If a public body owns or operates the bus, Georgia’s ante-litem notice laws apply. Missing these notice deadlines can limit or destroy your claim against that entity.
• Layered insurance and higher minimums. For many interstate passenger carriers, federal insurance minimums are higher than standard auto policies, which changes negotiation strategy.
• On-board and external data. Many buses carry telematics, dash cameras, and GPS. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cams can also matter—but this evidence is often overwritten quickly.

If you were in a bus accident in Atlanta, fast action to secure evidence can make the difference. Our team moves immediately to preserve logs, maintenance records, and camera footage while the trail is still warm.

Exactly What To Do After a Bus Accident (Step-by-Step)

Even small steps can protect your case and your health:

Call 911 and get medical care. Adrenaline masks symptoms. Early diagnosis creates a clear medical record linking injuries to the crash.

Report the crash accurately. Make sure law enforcement documents all vehicles, passengers, and witnesses.

Collect key details. Bus number, route, company name, license plates, driver’s name, insurance info, and the names/contacts of witnesses.

Capture the scene. Photos or video of vehicle positions, skid marks, debris, damage inside the bus (e.g., broken rails) and outside (e.g., signage, lighting).

Save everything. Tickets, receipts, medical bills, work notes about missed time, and a pain/symptom journal.

Avoid recorded statements to insurers before counsel. Insurers are skilled at minimizing claims—even when fault seems clear.

Call a lawyer early. An early investigation helps preserve video and bus data that can vanish within days.

For a deeper dive, see our complete guide to personal injury claims in Georgia.

Who May Be Liable (and Why It Matters)

Liability in a bus accident depends on the facts we can prove with evidence. In Atlanta bus accident cases, common responsible parties include:

• Bus driver or operator. Speeding, distraction, fatigue, improper lane changes, or failure to yield to pedestrians and cyclists can all point to driver negligence.
• Transit authority or carrier. Negligent hiring or supervision, poor training, unsafe schedules that encourage fatigue, and inadequate safety enforcement may create liability.
• Maintenance contractors. Skipped inspections, improper brake or tire service, ignored defects, or unsafe repairs can lead to catastrophic failures.
• Manufacturers and suppliers. Defective brakes, steering systems, tires, seats, restraints, mirrors, or cameras can make vehicle makers and suppliers responsible.
• Other motorists. A sudden cut-off, reckless driving, or illegal maneuver by another driver may trigger the bus crash.
• Road owners or contractors. Dangerous work zones, missing signage, or negligent roadway design can contribute to collisions.

Georgia follows modified comparative negligence. If you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages. If you are less than 50% at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. Our Atlanta bus accident lawyers build strong evidence—through scene analysis, black-box data, and expert testimony—to minimize any fault assigned to you and maximize your recovery.

What Compensation Can You Pursue?

Every case is unique, but recoverable damages often include:

• Medical costs (ER, imaging, hospital stays, surgeries, therapy, medications, future care and assistive devices)
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity if injuries limit your return to work
• Property damage (vehicle, bike, phone, glasses, etc.)
• Out-of-pocket expenses (transportation to appointments, home modifications, childcare)
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium (impact on relationships)
• Wrongful death damages for eligible family members in fatal cases

We don’t rely on one number. We model your full life impact, including future medical needs and income losses, then present that story with records and expert analysis.

What Compensation Can You Pursue?

Time limits are strict—especially when a government entity may be involved:

• Personal injury: 2 years from the crash to file suit (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33).
• Property damage only: 4 years (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-31).
• Ante litem notices (government claims):
  • City (municipal): written notice within 6 months (O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5).
  • County: written presentment within 12 months (O.C.G.A. § 36-11-1).
  • State agencies: written notice within 12 months with specific content and service requirements under the Georgia Tort Claims Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-21-26).

Because buses in Atlanta may be owned or operated by different public bodies (city, county, state authority) or private carriers, sending notice to the wrong entity—or missing a deadline—can jeopardize your claim. If there’s any chance a government entity is involved, treat the notice window as urgent.

Exceptions and tolling rules (e.g., for minors) can apply, and government claims have additional procedural steps. Speak with an attorney to confirm the exact deadlines for your situation.

Common Bus Accident Injuries

Passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and occupants of smaller vehicles often suffer common bus accident injuries such as:

• Head and Brain Injuries (concussions, traumatic brain injuries) from sudden stops or secondary impacts
• Spine and back injuries (disc herniations, vertebral fractures, nerve impingements)
• Neck injuries (whiplash, cervical sprains/strains)
• Shoulder, hip, and knee injuries (labral or meniscal tears, dislocations)
• Fractures (wrist, ankle, rib, pelvis)
• Internal Injuries (organ damage, internal bleeding) that may not be obvious at the scene
• Psychological trauma (anxiety, PTSD), especially after high-energy collisions

Diagnosis can evolve over time. Follow-up care and consistent documentation are crucial—for your health and for proving damages.

If you have been hurt in a bus accident, your priority should be getting medical care. Once you have been treated, reach out to our Atlanta bus accident lawyers for a FREE CONSULTATION to learn about your legal rights.

How Our Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyers Build Your Case

We combine early investigation with trial-ready preparation:

1. Rapid evidence preservation. We send spoliation letters to preserve on-board video, telematics, GPS data, inspection logs, dispatch communications, and driver qualification files.
2. Scene and vehicle forensics. We work with reconstruction experts to analyze impact dynamics, speed, stopping distances, and driver sightlines.
3. Maintenance & compliance review. We examine whether inspections were timely, defects were repaired, and safety rules were followed.
4. Medical proof of harm. We coordinate with your providers and medical experts to document diagnosis, causation, prognosis, and future care costs.
5. Damages modeling. We quantify wage losses, household services, vocational impact, and quality-of-life changes.
6. Negotiation leverage. We present a cohesive liability and damages package backed by evidence, not generalities.
7. Trial readiness. Insurers negotiate differently when they know your lawyers try cases. We prepare every matter as if a jury will see it.

Our firm is built for serious injury work. You’ll get direct access to a team that knows Atlanta courts, local carriers, and how public-entity claims really move.

Meet Your Atlanta Injury Attorney

At Thompson Law, every case is personal. Our Georgia office is led by Phillip Hairston, an experienced trial lawyer who has secured millions for injured clients across Georgia. Phillip brings a unique background—having defended corporations early in his career—so he knows exactly how insurers build their cases, and how to beat them. Whether your accident happened on the Downtown Connector, I-285, or a neighborhood road in Decatur, Phillip combines deep local knowledge with aggressive representation to maximize results for crash victims. Learn more about Phillip Hairston and his results »

Insurance in Bus Cases: What’s Different?

Insurance can look very different from a passenger car claim:

• Higher policy limits for many carriers. Interstate passenger carriers often carry higher minimums than private autos. A common framework:
• • $5,000,000 minimum liability for buses designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including driver)
  • $1,500,000 minimum liability for buses designed to transport 15 or fewer passengers (including driver)
    These minimums and their applicability can vary based on the carrier’s operations and routes (interstate vs. intrastate), so we always verify the coverage landscape for your specific crash.
• Multiple layers of coverage. Primary, excess, and umbrella policies may apply—especially with large private carriers or public agencies.
• Self-insured entities. Some public bodies self-insure to a certain level, with third-party administrators handling claims.

The takeaway: don’t assume a low limit. We map all potentially available coverages before making any strategic move.

Why Choose Us for a Bus Accident in Atlanta

• Local Knowledge, Serious Results. You get a team that understands Atlanta roads, courts, and carriers—and how to position your case for maximum value.
• Trial-ready approach. We prepare every claim as if a jury will see it, which creates leverage long before any courtroom step.
• Client-first communication. You’ll know what’s happening, why it matters, and what comes next—without guesswork.
• Resources to match big defendants. Public agencies and corporate carriers are well-funded. So are we. We invest in top experts and full-scale investigations when your case requires it

Injured in a Bus Accident in Atlanta?

If you or a loved one was hurt on a MARTA bus, school bus, charter bus, or public transit in Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, College Park, or East Point, our Atlanta bus accident lawyers are ready to help. We know the roads and transit systems where serious bus crashes happen most often—from I-285 and the Downtown Connector to Peachtree Street, Ponce de Leon Avenue, and busy neighborhood routes.

Schedule your free consultation today with an Atlanta bus accident attorney who knows your community. We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and map the next steps—at no cost and with no pressure.

Call Us: (678) 981-9022
Atlanta office: 1201 Peachtree St NE, Unit 2200, Atlanta, GA 30361
Free case review: We’ll listen, answer your questions, and map the next steps—TODAY.

FAQs About Atlanta Bus Accident Claims

See What Clients Say About Thompson Law

4.9

Based on 1798 reviews

Jesus Perez

Very happy with attorney Brittany Lightfoot and team. They helped me out so much through this process. Celia Gonzalez helped out me out until the end I’m happy for all the information and guidance I received from this team. I highly recommend them. They have a team that reaches out and keeps you updated.Thank you all again!!