Motorcyclist Injured in Banks County School Bus Accident on GA 59

Banks County School Bus Driver Cited For Failure to Yield in Collision That Left Motorcyclist Seriously Injured

BANKS COUNTY, GEORGIA (September 2, 2025) – A motorcyclist was seriously injured in a Banks County school bus accident at the intersection of Ga. 69 near Sims Bridge Road/Ga.

Banks County officials are saying that the collision took place around 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday. A motorcycle was heading south on Ga. 59 when a school bus began pulling out of the driveway.

The motorcyclist collided with a school bus as it was turning left onto SR 69. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim.

The motorcycle rider was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Police reportedly cited the driver of the Banks County school bus for failure to yield.

No students were on the bus at the time of the collision. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Banks County School Bus Accidents

School buses are considered common carriers. They must operate with an abundance of caution to avoid collisions. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 46-9-1, “Common carriers as such are bound to use extraordinary diligence, and in cases of loss the presumption of law is against them, and no excuse avails them unless the loss was occasioned by the act of God or the public enemies of the state.” There are many ways that a driver may have acted negligently and contributed to a collision.

• Speed: Bus drivers may have been traveling too fast for the prevailing conditions.
• Blind Spots: Bus drivers may have failed to check their blind spots before turning at an intersection.
• Driver Distraction: Bus drivers may have been distracted prior to colliding with some other vehicle.

Left turns are among the most dangerous maneuvers that drivers can make. They are roughly involved in 10 times more collisions than right turns at intersections. According to O.C.G.A. § 40-6-71, the driver of a vehicle intending to turn left onto a road must first yield the right-of-way to all vehicles that are close enough so as to pose a hazard. If a school bus driver acts negligently and causes a collision, their employer could be held at fault. In general, employers in Georgia can be held vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their workers.

Steps to Take After a Banks County Motorcycle Accident

Motorcyclists have a naturally small profile and are more likely to be overlooked by other drivers. They tend to suffer very serious injuries in the event of a crash. According to the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, “Since 1997, there has been an increase in injuries and fatalities to motorcyclists. Data from the National Center for Statistics and Analysis of the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal that, as of 2004, fatalities had increased for the eighth year in a row.” Victims of motorcycle accidents should take certain steps to protect their legal rights.

• Police Investigation: The police should be called to the scene of the collision so that they can begin an immediate investigation. Officers will create a police report that contains crucial details on how the collision took place.
• Evidence Preservation: It is important that as much evidence as possible is preserved after a bus accident. Photos of the accident site should be taken, and victims should seek the contact information of eyewitnesses.
• Medical Records: Victims should seek a thorough medical evaluation and hold onto all of their medical records. These medical records can be enormously useful in the event of a lawsuit.
• Legal Support: Any person injured in a school bus accident should seek the guidance of an experienced school bus accident attorney. An attorney can help victims recover damages for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that buses capable of carrying 16 or more passengers have at least $5 million in liability coverage. But bus companies and their insurance providers are often not willing to pay fair settlements if they cause a serious collision. This is why it is so important that victims hire an attorney. An attorney can help protect your legal rights and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries.

Investigating Georgia Bus Accidents

We at Butler Kahn extend our best wishes to the motorcyclist injured in this Banks County school bus accident. It is our sincere hope that he is able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable collision that should not have taken place. The school district or company that owned this bus should come forward and accept responsibility. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the Banks County Sheriff’s Office.

Have you or someone you care about been injured in a Banks County school bus accident? You may be entitled to financial damages. Our team of highly experienced Atlanta school bus accident lawyers is here to assist you in any way that we can. We have successfully recovered millions on behalf of our deserving clients. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how much compensation you may be entitled to, we are here to serve your needs. You can contact us anytime at 678-940-1444.

Jeb Butler

Jeb Butler’s career as a Georgia trial lawyer has led to a $150 million verdict in a product liability case against Chrysler for a dangerous vehicle design that caused the death of a child, a $45 million settlement for a young man who permanently lost the ability to walk and talk, and numerous other verdicts and settlements, many of which are confidential at the defendant’s insistence. Jeb has worked on several cases that led to systemic changes and improvements in public safety. He has been repeatedly recognized as a Georgia SuperLawyer and ranks among Georgia’s legal elite. Jeb graduated in the top 10% of his class at UGA Law, argued on the National Moot Court team, and published in the Law Review. He is the founding partner of Butler Kahn law firm. Connect with me on LinkedIn