Can I Recover Compensation After An Accident With A MARTA Bus in Atlanta?
The Metropolitan Area Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is the main public transport operator in the Atlanta area. The system was formed in 1971 and operated for a long time as simply a bus system, but MARTA now operates bus routes as well as a network of rapid transit systems with 48 miles of rail track.
The MARTA bus system serves a much wider area than the rail system, including areas and Clayton, DeKalb, and Fulton counties. With several 100 buses that cover over 100 bus routes and millions of annual miles driven, it is inevitable that MARTA bus accidents will occur. However, if you or somebody you care about is injured in an accident involving a MARTA transit bus, is it possible to recover compensation?
Filing a Lawsuit – the Process Will be Different
If a MARTA bus driver is at fault for a collision, or if the crash was caused by a defective MARTA bus, it may certainly be possible for injury victims to recover compensation. However, it is crucial to understand that lawsuits filed against government entities in Georgia are handled differently than most civil personal injury lawsuits.
MARTA is a multi-jurisdictional agency, and this can present challenges when it comes to filing personal injury lawsuits after a bus crash. It is crucial to work with a skilled Atlanta bus accident attorney who understands how lawsuits against government entities work.
The time limit for filing these claims is going to be significantly shorter than most personal injury cases. Additionally, there are a variety of steps involved in filing these cases that are not present in most personal injury claims in Georgia.
Common Causes of MARTA Bus Accidents
There are many ways that a MARTA bus accident could occur due to the careless or negligent actions of a bus driver or MARTA itself. Some of the most common causes of these accidents include the following:
- Drivers operating while distracted by phones or other devices
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Failure to account for weather conditions
- Drivers operating while impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Inadequate driver training
- Improper bus maintenance
- Defective bus equipment
This is certainly not an exhaustive list of the ways that a MARTA bus accident could occur, and we strongly encourage you to contact an attorney about your case as soon as possible to determine the best steps moving forward.
Type of Compensation for a MARTA Bus Accident
There may be various types of compensation available to MARTA bus accident victims. An attorney will work diligently to recover both economic and non-economic compensation on behalf of their client. This can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- All medical bills related to the bus accident
- Lost income if a victim cannot work
- Property damage expenses
- General household out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of quality of life damages
The total amount of compensation available in these cases will vary depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding each particular situation. In general, the more severe the injuries or property damage, the higher the settlement a person is likely to receive.