how to seek compensation after a georgia public transportation accident

If you have suffered an injury in an Atlanta public transportation accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Every year, thousands of Atlanta residents and commuters use Georgia public transportation. Most of the time, using public transportation is a safe, affordable option. Unfortunately, public transportation accidents do occur. For example, in September 2019, A MARTA bus collided with a pickup truck in Atlanta causing the truck driver’s death.

If you have suffered an injury on a MARTA bus or while using public transportation, we can help. At Cambre & Associates, our attorneys have experience seeking compensation against at-fault drivers. In some instances, we have helped our clients seek compensation from the City of Atlanta. Contact our law firm today to schedule your initial consultation. 

If you are one of the thousands of people who use Georgia public transportation every day, you probably do not give much thought to accidents. Nonetheless, while accidents are rare, they do happen. It is wise to have a basic understanding of what to do after suffering an injury in an Atlanta public transportation accident. 

Call Emergency Services

If you are able to do so, call emergency services and report the public transportation accident. Transportation accidents often involve more people than typical two-vehicle collisions. For example, a MARTA bus recently collided with a truck on a Georgia highway. MARTA buses are publicly operated buses. The acronym stands for Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. The driver of the bus received severe injuries and ultimately died as a result of his injuries. 

Thankfully, the MARTA bus was empty when the collision occurred. If not, many passengers could have sustained injuries. Passengers do not wear seat belts when riding on public buses, increasing the risk of injury. The sooner emergency services arrive, the better. When you call 911, be sure to mention a rough estimate of the number of passengers on the bus so the EMS team can arrive prepared.

Report the Public Transportation Accident to the Police

The driver of public transportation should report the accident to the police who will then file a police report. Make sure that the police officers at the scene know to include your name on the police report. If the driver does not report the incident to the police, you may want to file the report yourself. Be careful when giving a statement to the police officers. 

Many times, the shock of an accident makes it difficult to provide an accurate account. If you are not seriously injured, gather as much information as possible. Any information you obtain could help you in a future lawsuit against the driver, the City of Atlanta, or both.

Determine Who Was at Fault

Public transportation accidents can quickly become complicated. Many times, many passengers suffer injuries resulting from the crash. If you have suffered an injury, it is wise to speak to a skilled Atlanta public transportation accident lawyer. Determining who is at fault in a public transportation accident requires experience and skill. 

Sometimes multiple parties caused the accident. For example, if a MARTA bus driver ran into a car that made a lane change, both drivers could be at fault if the bus driver was not paying attention. 

Conducting a thorough investigation is necessary to determining fault in a public transportation accident. At Cambre & Associates, we will analyze your statement of the events along with any other information you gathered at the scene. Next, we will use a team of accident investigators to collect any other facts that help us determine who was at fault. 

We reach out to witnesses of the accident and interview them. Many times, witnesses remember essential pieces of information after the accident occurs. The key to building a successful personal injury claim is to conduct a thorough investigation and gather all the available evidence.

File the Appropriate Legal Claim 

The best legal course of action may be to file a civil lawsuit against the City’s transportation authority. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority owes its passengers a high duty of care because it is a common carrier in Georgia tort law. 

To succeed in a personal injury lawsuit against MARTA, you must demonstrate that MARTA breached the duty of care that it owned you. MARTA can breach the duty of care in several ways, including the following:

  • A driver unsafely or negligently operated the train or bus
  • MARTA failed to repair dangerous conditions on its property resulting in a slip and fall accident
  • The public transportation driver failed to accommodate your disability, resulting in your injury
  • A bus or train driver struck you while you were safely riding a bicycle, scooter, or walking
  • MARTA failed to safely maintain its tracked and the train derailed, causing your injuries
  • A train or bus driver used excessive speeds, causing the accident that resulted in your injuries

Before you can sue MARTA or any other government transportation agency, you must file a notice of intent called an ante litem. You must file the notice within six months to a year of the date of the accident. The statute of limitations depends on whether you are using a City-owned agency or the state of Georgia. 

If you fail to file the proper notice, a Georgia court will likely dismiss your case, and you will be unable to sue for compensation. The attorneys at Cambre & Associates can help you ensure that you submit the required notice to the correct government agency. 

If You Have Suffered an Injury from a Georgia Public Transportation Accident, We can Help

At Cambre & Associates, we empathize with our clients who have suffered injuries at the hands of negligent public transportation officers. Your medical bills may be stacking up, and you may be worried about providing for yourself and your family. Do not delay, contact the skilled Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Cambre & Associates today. We will schedule your initial consultation to discuss your case.