Columbus Bus Accident Lawyers

Seek Compensation with Our Bus Accident Attorneys

If you’ve been injured in a bus accident in Columbus, you might have the right to pursue financial compensation from the responsible parties. Victims can seek damages not only for their injuries, but all sorts of expenses they paid out of pocket following the accident. These damages are often awarded by the court of law.

However, pursuing a claim in a legal setting doesn’t always mean going to trial. Many cases are resolved through negotiations for insurance settlements. Working with experienced Columbus bus accident lawyers can help you better understand your legal options and determine the best route to take for your specific case.

Want to know if you have a solid case with a potential high-value claim? Call us up for a FREE CASE REVIEW today.

How Our Columbus Bus Accident Lawyers Strengthen Your Case

When you’re dealing with painful injuries and emotional trauma after a bus accident, hiring an experienced, thorough legal team can make all the difference. Our Columbus bus accident lawyers at Thompson Law know how to build strong, evidence-backed legal strategies to support your right to full compensation and lead your case to victory.

From the first day you contact us, we focus on protecting your interests and advocating for your rights. Here’s how our team helps strengthen your bus accident case:

• Investigating the scene of the bus crash and gather key evidence, like photos and videos, police reports, and witness statements
• Work with accident reconstruction experts to uncover the truth about the events that transpired on the road
• Obtain surveillance footage to see what actually happened
• Review driver records, bus maintenance logs and employer policies
• Identify all parties that could be liable for your injuries and losses, including third-party drivers, government entities, or bus companies
• Calculate the full extent of your damages to give you an idea of the compensation you should receive
• Handle all communication with aggressive insurance companies so you don’t need to deal with them yourself
• Negotiate aggressively for maximum compensation
• Represent you in litigation in trial if a fair settlement isn’t reached

Why Choose Thompson Law?

We firmly believe that every bus accident victim deserves to be heard, respected, and fully compensated for the physical and mental pain they’ve endured. Bus accidents in Columbus often involve powerful government entities, but we’re not afraid to hold any negligent parties accountable for their actions if it means seeking justice for our clients. We’ll take care of the legal side of things so that you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life after the accident.

Damages We’ll Help You Pursue After a Bus Accident Injury

After getting hurt in a bus accident, the physical and financial toll can be too much to handle alone. The good news is that you don’t have to.

At Thompson Law, our Columbus attorneys work hard to make sure you’re fully compensated for the impact the crash has created on your life. That way, you cut your losses from the expenses you paid out of pocket, and the negligent parties end up footing the bill.

We can help you seek damages for:

• Medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation efforts, and future care
• Lost wages if you had to miss days at work to nurse your injuries
• Diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, which includes emotional trauma and distress following the crash
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Property damage for your personal belongings that had been lost or damaged in the crash
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Punitive damages if the driver is found to have acted out of gross negligence or malice
• Wrongful death damages, such as funeral expenses, if you lost a loved one in the accident

What Types of Bus Accidents Happen in Columbus’ Streets?

Bus accidents in Columbus, GA take on many various forms depending on the situation and environment at the time of the crash. Common types of bus accidents our lawyers have experience handling include:

• Rear-end collisions, where one vehicle is hit by another at the back
• Side-impact collisions, also known as T-bone accidents
• Bus rollovers caused by sharp turns or speeding
• Pedestrian accidents near bus stops and school zones
• Bicycle or motorcycle accidents due to cyclists being in a bus driver’s blind spot
• Parking lot accidents involving buses in crowded areas
• Multi-vehicle pileups in heavy-traffic areas

Each type of accident requires careful legal attention to protect your rights. Our Columbus bus accident lawyers know the ins and outs of each one, so you get top-notch legal representation for any type of bus crash.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Columbus, GA

Bus accidents don’t happen for no reason. There’s always a bad decision, preventable action, or act of negligence behind most bus crashes in Columbus. Here are some of the most common reasons why bus accidents even occur in the city:

• Distracted driving, such as texting or using the GPS while behind the wheel
• Driver fatigue, especially on long routes or early morning shifts
• Bus drivers speeding to stay on schedule
• Failure to yield at intersections
• Improper lane changes
• Wide turns that lead to rollover accidents
• Poor bus maintenance or mechanical failures
• Unsafe road conditions, like potholes or unclear signage
• A bus company’s inadequate training or supervision of bus drivers
• Understanding the cause of an accident is a key step in building a strong foundation for your case. Our Columbus accident lawyers can work with accident reconstruction experts and dig through all evidence available related to your case to find the true cause of the accident

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Bus Accident in Columbus?

Determining who is at fault in a bus accident isn’t always that easy. Most of the time, responsibility may lie with the bus driver if they were speeding, distracted, or broke some of Columbus’ traffic laws.

However, liability can also extend to the government entities, such as the City of Columbus if the crash involves a METRA bus or a school district if it involves a school bus. The city could be liable if poor road conditions or lack of street signs contributed to the accident.

Our experienced bus accident lawyers can help investigate the incident and identify all liable parties to ensure victims receive full and fair compensation from every resource possible.

When is the Deadline for Filing a Bus Accident Claim in Georgia?

In Georgia, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those that come from bus accidents, is two years from the date of the injury. That means if you’ve suffered from injuries in a bus-related collision, you must initiate legal action within this two-year window if you want compensation for your losses.

Failing to file a claim before this deadline will result in your forfeiting your right to secure compensation.

Local Bus Safety Laws in Columbus, GA

The local government enforces strict laws surrounding buses and how other motorists should behave around them to ensure the safety of bus passengers, schoolchildren, and the general public. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Stop for Passing School Buses

Under the Code of Georgia § 40-6-163, all motorists in Columbus must stop when approaching a school bus that is displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. These signals mean that there are children boarding or getting off of the bus. Drivers are required to remain stopped until the bus resumes motion or the visual signals are turned off.

This rule applies to any driver behind or coming from the opposite direction of the school bus. The only exception is if the road is divided by a physical median or barrier, in which case only vehicles traveling behind the bus must stop.

Addy’s Law

Addy’s Law, signed by Governor Brian Kemp in 2024, was created in memory of 8-year-old Adalynn Pierce, who tragically lost her life while crossing the road to board her school bus in Henry County in Georgia. Her death moved the community deeply, leading to this state law.

The law requires Georgia public schools to design bus routes that prevent children from crossing roads with speed limits over 40 miles per hour. It also significantly increases penalties for drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus. With the law in place, it is now a serious crime with a minimum $1,000 fine and potential jail time of at least 12 months.

Parking Limits for Buses

According to Columbus Code of Ordinances § 20-13.5, buses longer than 25 feet aren’t allowed to park in the same spot on any public street for more than two hours at a time. Exceptions are possible school buses, bookmobiles, and similar service vehicles, but only with approval from the Columbus Police Department. This rule does not apply on Fifth Avenue from 6PM to 6AM.

Where to Get Emergency Medical Care After a Bus Crash

If you’ve been injured in a bus crash in Columbus, getting immediate medical attention is of the utmost importance. Your health and safety should be the number one priority, but of course, it’s also always good to document your injuries in case you pursue legal action later on.

Fortunately, there are several local Columbus hospitals equipped to handle trauma cases and provide the urgent care you need. These include:

• St. Francis-Emory Healthcare:  Offers a full range of emergency and surgical services, including the region’s only open-heart surgery program. With 376 beds and 300 physicians, it’s well-equipped to handle serious trauma, orthopedic injuries, and other bus accident-related conditions.
• Piedmont Columbus Regional’s Midtown Campus:  As the largest hospital in west Georgia, this 583-bed facility provides comprehensive emergency care. It is a tertiary care hospital with a strong reputation for trauma response, so it’s an ideal choice for those with serious injuries from a bus crash.
• Piedmont Columbus Regional’s Northside Campus:  This 100-bed acute care hospital is known for orthopedic, spine, and rehabilitation services. It’s a good facility to get treatment for bus accident injuries like fractures and joint damage.

The Role of Local Law Enforcement in Bus Accidents in Columbus

When a bus accident occurs in Columbus, local law enforcement is responsible for securing the scene, investigating the cause, and collecting evidence to determine liability. Officers from the Columbus Division of Police will document the details of the crash and coordinate with emergency responders to ensure that anyone injured receives medical care right away.

Maintaining communication with the local police is crucial in case you need their support at any point of the legal process. If necessary, you can reach out to any of these three police precincts located throughout Columbus:

• North Precinct (8395 Beaver Run Road)
• South Precinct (1441 Benning Drive)
• East Precinct (4507 Buena Vista Road)

Our Lawyers Will Bring Those at Fault for Your Injuries to Justice

Bus accidents can leave victims feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and unsure of where to turn, especially when the hospital bills are piling up on the counter. At Thompson Law, we believe no one should suffer due to someone else’s negligence just because they chose to hop on a bus one day.

Our experienced Columbus bus accident lawyers are dedicated to uncovering the truth, building a winning strategy for your case, and fighting tirelessly for your rights. We won’t stop advocating for you until we secure the compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident in Columbus, GA, don’t wait. Contact us today for a FREE CONSULTATION.

FAQs About Bus Accidents in Columbus, GA

Can I sue if my child was hurt on a school bus?

Yes, you could potentially have the right to sue if your child was injured in a school bus accident. Depending on the cause, you could pursue a claim against the school district, the bus company, the driver, or even a negligent third-party motorist whose actions caused the crash.

What evidence do I need to support my bus accident case?

Some of the strongest pieces of evidence that can increase your chances of getting the maximum compensation for your case include police accident reports, medical records documenting your injuries, pictures of the scene of the crash, and witness statements. If it’s available, dash cam or surveillance footage can also make a world of difference in strengthening your claim.

Do I need a lawyer for a minor bus accident injury?

Yes. Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s still a good idea to consult with a lawyer. Some injuries, like internal bleeding, only show symptoms days or weeks after the accident and worsen over time, leading to unexpected medical expenses. A lawyer knows how to take this into consideration when calculating the compensation you should seek in damages.

Will my bus accident case go to trial or can it be settled out of court?

It depends on how your case plays out. Most bus accident cases are resolved through settlements before even reaching a trial in court. Negotiating a fair settlement can save time for all parties involved. However, if the negligent party does not propose a fair settlement amount, your case could go to court.