Until recently, millions of Americans would see their children off to school in the morning. They’d pack their lunch and make sure they had their backpacks. They would kiss them goodbye and not for a moment worry about their child’s safety. With COVID-19, things have changed a bit. People have been schooling their children from home. They haven’t had to worry about shipping their sons and daughters off on school buses driven by complete strangers. Come fall, this is likely going to change.
At some point, things are going to return to normal. Your kids are going to be going back to school. And, for a lot of you, that means your kids will be riding the school bus 5 days a week. And, while most school bus drivers are careful and professional, there are always exceptions to the rule. If your child’s bus driver decides to drink and drive, they’re putting the lives of dozens of children at risk.
Even the bus driver is a perfect drive – if that exists – they can’t control other people on the road. If someone is texting and driving, they could slam into the back of a school bus at any moment. Or, if they’re speeding, they may cause a head-on collision. Any sort of accident can injure your children. If this happens, you’re going to need to call a bus accident lawyer in Augusta, Georgia.
It Really Depends on Who Caused the Accident
When you’re the one involved in a car accident, you have a bit more control. You will have seen what happened and know who was at fault. You can also make sure you call 911 so the police will come out and investigate the scene. When it’s your child who’s involved in a school bus accident, it’s a bit different. You have no way to know what really happened. You have to take the word of the bus driver. You have to also pray that they called the cops.
When the police investigate the crash, they’re going to treat it like any other accident. They’ll check to see if any of the drivers were impaired at the time of the accident. They’ll also make sure they talk to any witnesses who may have seen the crash. They’ll do their best to figure out what happened. And, your Augusta bus accident lawyer will have access to their police report. This is one of the best sources of evidence you’ll have.
Who Will You File Suit Against?
Once you determine what happened, you need to figure out who you need to pursue for damages. Thankfully, your Augusta car accident lawyer will help you do this. You may need to pursue any number of parties, including:
- The bus driver – This is important, especially if the driver was impaired at the time of the crash.
- A third party – If someone other than the bus driver caused the accident, you’ll need to name them too. You’ll also have to file a claim against their insurance policy.
- The bus company – Ultimately, the company who owns the bus is responsible for the accident. They are liable for the actions of their employees.
Call and Talk to a Bus Accident Lawyer in Augusta, Georgia Right Away
If you learn that your child has been injured in a school bus accident, you’re going to be frantic. You’ll be scared, worried that your child isn’t okay. You’ll be angry at the person who caused the accident. All you’ll want to do is make sure your son or daughter is okay. The last thing you’ll want to do is fight with the insurance company to have your claim paid. That’s why you need to talk to a bus accident attorney in Augusta. They’ll deal with the insurance company on your behalf. They’ll also file a personal injury lawsuit if that’s what it takes. Their goal is to get your child compensation for their injuries.
You should call right away and schedule your free initial consultation with our office. Sit down with someone who’s handled plenty of cases just like yours before. They’ll answer any questions you may have. They’ll also ask some questions of their own. They know what it takes to prove these sorts of cases. They’ll deal with the legal side of things while you focus on taking care of your child. The consultation is free and you won’t pay a dime until your child’s case is settled.