Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyers | $1.9B+ Won for Injury Victims

$1.9 Billion+ Recovered for Atlanta Bus & Vehicle Crash Victims

Trial-tested Atlanta bus accident lawyers fighting for maximum compensation — 5-star service, 24/7 availability, and no fees unless we win.

Thompson Law’s Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyers with $1.9B+ recovered — free consultation, no fee unless we win.

Reviewed by: Phillip Hairston, Esq. — Atlanta Trial Attorney
Last updated: September 2025 • View attorney bio
Available 24/7 —Free Consultation, No Fees Unless We Win

Recognized by Super Lawyers® | Serving Atlanta Clients Statewide

A bus accident can change your life in an instant—serious injuries, medical bills, and uncertainty about who is responsible. We know how overwhelming this time can be, and our job is to lift that burden so you can focus on healing.

Led by Atlanta attorney Phillip Hairston, our Atlanta bus accident lawyers have recovered millions for Georgia families, including cases against MARTA, school districts, and private bus companies. Whether your crash happened on I-285, the Downtown Connector, or local roads in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Midtown, or East Point—we’re ready to fight for you.

Bus crashes bring higher stakes: severe injuries, multiple insurance policies, and strict deadlines when public entities are involved. At Thompson Law, “The Lion” of Atlanta injury law, we act fast to preserve evidence, file required notices, and protect your rights while you focus on recovery.

  • Investigate liability fast—driver error, company negligence, or government oversight.
  • Preserve evidence from bus cameras, black-box data, and scene reports.
  • Meet strict deadlines for claims against government agencies (ante litem notices).
  • Maximize recovery for medical costs, lost income, long-term care, and pain and suffering.

Atlanta office:
1201 Peachtree St NE, Unit 2200, Atlanta, GA 30361

Free case review, 24/7:
(678) 981-9022

Don’t wait—bus accident cases move quickly, and deadlines are unforgiving. Contact us today for a
FREE CONSULTATION with our Atlanta bus accident lawyers and let Thompson Law—The Lion of Atlanta Injury Law fight for your recovery.

Atlanta bus accident lawyers – city bus crash into a pole

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Awards & Accolades

  • Best Lawyers 2026 — Ryan Thompson
  • Super Lawyers 2025
  • Best Lawyers 2024 — Thompson Law
  • Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers
  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  • AV Preeminent Rating — Martindale-Hubbell
  • Best Lawyers — Ryan Thompson

Why Choose Thompson Law for Your Atlanta Bus Accident Case

Bus claims move fast and involve special rules. Our Thompson Law Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyers combines public-entity know-how with trial-ready prep to maximize your recovery.

Government-Claims Expertise

We hit ante-litem deadlines and preserve your rights with MARTA, school districts, and city/county entities.

  • Rapid response: Notice letters sent within days of retention.
  • Proven record: 6-figure public-transit settlements via early evidence preservation.
  • Deadline mastery: 6-month city/county and 12-month state notices tracked to the day.

Rapid Evidence Preservation

On-board video, telematics/black-box data, GPS, maintenance logs, and driver files locked down immediately.

Coverage Mapping

We identify all layers—primary, excess, umbrella—and self-insured programs to expand available recovery.

Trial-Proven Leverage

We prepare every case for a jury, which moves insurers to offer full-value settlements.

Client-First Communication

Clear updates, plain-English strategy, and direct access to your legal team.

No Win, No Fee

Free consultation, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Get a Free Case Review
(678) 981-9022

Why Atlanta Bus Accident Cases Are Different

Bus crashes aren’t like typical car accidents. They involve higher stakes, complex legal rules, and strict notice deadlines that can catch families off guard. Acting quickly is critical to protect your rights and preserve key evidence.

  • Shorter notice deadlines: Claims against MARTA, school districts, or city/county agencies often require an ante litem notice within months—not years. Missing this step can end your claim.
  • Multiple liable parties: Responsibility may involve the driver, the bus company, a public entity, maintenance contractors, other motorists, or even a manufacturer for defective parts.
  • Layered insurance & higher minimums: Interstate passenger carriers often carry higher policy limits and multiple layers of coverage (primary, excess, umbrella), which affects strategy and recovery potential.
  • Critical evidence can vanish fast: On-board video, black-box data, GPS logs, driver qualification files, and nearby surveillance footage are often overwritten within days if not preserved immediately.
  • Vehicle size & dynamics: Buses take longer to brake and create wider blind spots, leading to more severe injuries and the need for expert reconstruction to prove fault.

Our Atlanta bus accident lawyers act fast — whether your crash happened on I-285, the Downtown Connector, or a neighborhood route — we secure video and telematics data, file notices before deadlines, and map every available insurance policy so you have the strongest case possible. While you focus on healing, we handle the legal battle to protect your future.

Atlanta claims have faster deadlines:

  • MARTA & Atlanta Public Schools: Ante litem notice often due in 6 months.
  • City of Atlanta / Fulton & DeKalb County: Notice deadlines apply before any lawsuit can be filed.
  • State of Georgia entities: Notice typically due within 12 months.

Missing these deadlines can end your claim even if Georgia’s general injury statute gives you 2 years. We move quickly to protect your rights and preserve evidence.

Preserve My Claim

Exactly What To Do After a Bus Accident in Atlanta

These Georgia-specific steps protect your health, preserve evidence, and strengthen your legal case.

1
Call 911 and Get Medical Help

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-273)
requires reporting crashes with injury, death, or $500+ damage. Even if you feel “okay,” adrenaline can hide
serious injuries like concussions or internal bleeding. Request EMS, get evaluated, and keep copies of all ER/urgent-care records.

2
Report the Crash Accurately

Cooperate with police and make sure the report lists all vehicles, passengers, and witnesses.
Get the crash report number before leaving — this is essential for retrieving the official report later.

3
Document the Scene

Take wide and close-up photos of the bus, other vehicles, skid marks, traffic lights, weather conditions,
and any interior damage (broken rails, seats). This evidence can be critical when proving fault later.

4
Collect Witness & Bus Details

Write down the bus number/route, company, driver’s name, license plate, and insurance information.
Get contact info for passengers and bystanders — witness statements can make or break liability disputes.

5
Preserve Your Records

Save tickets, medical bills, discharge papers, and proof of missed work. Keep a pain/symptom journal —
this shows the day-to-day impact of your injuries and helps prove non-economic damages.

6
Be Cautious with Insurance Adjusters

Never give a recorded statement before consulting a lawyer.
Adjusters may seem helpful but are trained to minimize your payout — especially in bus accident cases involving multiple policies.

7
Call an Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyer Early

Bus-camera footage and black-box data can be overwritten within days.
We send spoliation letters and meet Georgia’s ante-litem notice deadlines for MARTA, school buses, and public entities.

Get a Free Case Review

Georgia statute of limitations: 2 years for most injury claims (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). City/county claims may require notice within
6 months. Don’t delay.

Who May Be Liable in a Bus Accident

Liability in a bus crash often involves multiple parties. Our Atlanta bus accident lawyers investigate every angle to hold the right people accountable.

Bus Driver or Operator

Negligence from speeding, distraction, fatigue, or failing to yield can make the driver liable.

Transit Authority / Carrier

Poor training, negligent supervision, or unsafe scheduling may create company liability.

Maintenance Contractors

Skipped inspections, faulty brake/tire service, or ignored defects can lead to crashes.

Manufacturers & Suppliers

Defective parts (brakes, steering, tires) may hold manufacturers responsible under product liability.

Other Motorists

Reckless or illegal driving by a third-party driver can trigger a chain-reaction collision.

Road Owners or Contractors

Unsafe work zones, missing signage, or poor road design can contribute to the crash.

Georgia’s modified comparative negligence law
(O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33) may reduce compensation if you’re partly at fault. We build strong evidence to minimize fault and maximize recovery.

Atlanta Streetcar downtown on a sunny day, representing public transit accident cases
Atlanta Streetcar — public transit accidents require fast action to preserve evidence and meet ante litem deadlines.

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.

Silhouettes highlighting common bus accident injuries including head, spine, neck, shoulder, leg, and psychological trauma.
Visual guide to common injuries in bus accidents — head, spine, and orthopedic trauma.

Call for Your Free Consultation

(844) 308-8180

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.

Insurance in Bus Cases: What’s Different?

Bus accident claims are not handled like ordinary car wrecks. They often involve multiple layers of insurance
and much higher policy limits — which can significantly affect the value of your case.

Higher Policy Limits

Interstate passenger carriers are required to carry higher federal minimum coverage:

  • $5,000,000 — buses designed to carry 16+ passengers
  • $1,500,000 — buses designed to carry 15 or fewer passengers

These limits can vary depending on whether the route is interstate or intrastate.

Layered Coverage

Large bus companies may have primary, excess, and umbrella policies. We identify all available layers to maximize recovery.

Self-Insured Entities

Many public transit agencies and school systems self-insure up to a certain level and use third-party administrators. We navigate these unique claims processes.

Strategy Matters

Knowing policy limits early gives us leverage in negotiations and helps ensure you receive full compensation for medical care, lost income, and long-term needs.

Don’t assume a low policy limit — we map all coverage options before making any strategic move.

Atlanta’s Statute of Limitations & Key Georgia Injury Laws

Georgia Deadline for Bus Crash Claims

In most personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of injury to file under
O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33.
Property-damage-only claims generally have a four-year deadline. Missing a deadline can bar recovery—
another reason to contact counsel early, especially for Atlanta bus accident cases.

Atlanta bus accident lawyers infographic: Georgia deadlines, exceptions for city and state claims, wrongful death, minors, plus steps to protect your claim

Important Exceptions for Atlanta Bus Cases

  • City / county claims (e.g., Atlanta, DeKalb, Fulton): You must send an ante litem notice within
    6 months.
  • State claims: Notice typically due within
    12 months.
  • Wrongful death: Usually 2 years; the clock may pause during related criminal proceedings.
  • Minors / legally disabled: Time limits can be tolled until the disability ends or the child turns 18.

Bus cases can involve public entities (e.g., transit or school systems). Shorter notice deadlines apply—talk to a lawyer immediately.

Modified Comparative Negligence (50% Bar)

Georgia’s system (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33)
reduces your recovery by your percentage of fault—and you cannot recover if you’re 50% or more at fault.

Insurers often overstate fault. We counter with reconstruction, camera footage, and expert testimony tailored to Atlanta bus crash scenarios.

Deadlines move fast in Atlanta bus accident cases—especially when a government agency is involved.
Protect your rights today.

Free Case Review 

— Talk to an Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyer

No fees unless we win · Available 24/7

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 Thomson Law Atlanta Bus Accident Law 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.

School bus rolled over in accident. Atlanta bus accident lawyers

Meet Your Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyer - Phillip Hairston

Phillip Hairston — Atlanta wrongful death & injury attorney

Phillip Hairston

Trial Attorney • Atlanta, GA

Born and raised in Stone Mountain, now in Atlanta. A Georgia Tech Chemistry grad with a J.D. from Washington University School of Law, Phillip brings rare perspective: he
defended corporations and general contractors early in his career—insight he now uses to hold insurers and large companies accountable for Atlanta families.

Cases He Handles

  • Wrongful death
  • Bus & trucking collisions (including MARTA & school buses)
  • Car & motorcycle crashes
  • Serious injury claims (spinal, TBI, fractures)

Credentials & Memberships

  • Admitted in all Georgia state courts
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia
  • Member, State Bar of Georgia
  • Member, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (GTLA)


Learn more about Phillip and his results »

Free Consultation

What Our Clients Say

  • Sonya Rios — ★★★★★
    Miranda and Brian were very informative and helpful through the whole process. Thank you again.
  • Joseph John — ★★★★★
    Thompson Law is very professional. They are very quick in responding to your questions. They take care of everything from your treatment to settlement.
  • Daniel Valdez — ★★★★★
    Thompson Law did a great job handling my case. Brian kept me updated. They got me squared away—will definitely use them again.
  • Cartisha Sylvester — ★★★★★
    I was always updated throughout the entire process. Thank you Ms. Uneeda and Mr. Brian. I appreciate all the help.
  • Karina Martinez — ★★★★★
    Huge shout-out to the Thompson Law team. Excellent job from start to finish—caring service and ongoing communication.
  • Kathy Poole — ★★★★★
    Staff was extremely helpful and attentive. Brian and Shawn were kind and informative. They got the job done!

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.

Looking for more information? Learn about Atlanta personal injury claims and your legal rights.

Frequently Asked Questions About Atlanta Bus Accident Lawsuits

For most injury cases, you generally have two years from the date of the crash.
Claims involving government entities (like MARTA or a school system) may have
shorter notice deadlines — sometimes just six months. Missing these deadlines can end your claim, so
reach out as soon as possible so we can preserve your rights.

  • Get medical care and follow your doctor’s advice.
  • Take photos, note the bus number/route, and collect witness names (if you can).
  • Avoid recorded statements to insurers until you speak with a lawyer.

We work to preserve crucial evidence that can disappear quickly, including on-board video and electronic data.

School bus cases involve special rules and short deadlines. We coordinate with doctors, schools, and insurers to document injuries and long-term needs — letting you focus on your child’s recovery while we handle the legal process.

Depending on your case, you may recover:

  • Medical bills and future treatment costs
  • Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Punitive damages (when allowed)

Families in wrongful death cases may also seek funeral costs and loss of financial support or companionship.

It costs nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee — you pay no attorney’s fees unless we win.
We also offer free, no-pressure consultations 24/7 to help you understand your options.

Timelines vary based on medical recovery, investigations, and whether a government entity is involved.
Some cases resolve in months, while serious-injury or complex cases may take longer.
We’ll give you honest expectations and push to move your case forward without sacrificing value.

Many claims settle without a trial, but we prepare each case as if it will go to a jury —
this maximizes leverage. If trial is the best path, our trial-proven team will guide you through every step.

Yes. Claims against public transit systems like MARTA follow special rules. You must file a formal notice of claim within a very short deadline — sometimes as little as six months. Our team handles these requirements to protect your right to compensation.

Georgia follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning you may still recover compensation if you were less than 50% at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. We work to minimize any blame placed on you and maximize your compensation.

Sí. Hablamos español. We provide bilingual support so Spanish-speaking clients have full access to our attorneys.

Still have questions? Every case is different, and no FAQ can

Still have questions?

Get Your Free Case Review

or call (678) 981-9022

 

Thompson Law Guarantee

Thompson Law charges NO FEE unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We’ve put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements in our clients’ pockets. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get your questions answered, and understand your legal options.

State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.