DeKalb County officials are saying that the incident took place around 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. The two buses collided as one bus was pulling out of a stall at the station.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help all of the victims. A total of six people were injured, including one person who was hospitalized with a brain injury.
A full investigation into the cause of the collision remains ongoing at this time.
Buses are considered “common carriers” under Georgia law. Their drivers are required to operate with an abundance of caution to avoid causing harm to their passengers. According to Squaw Valley Ski Corp. v. Superior Court, “This elevated standard of care for common carriers has its origin in English common law. It is based on a recognition that the privilege of serving the public as a common carrier necessarily entails great responsibility, requiring common carriers to exercise a high duty of care towards their customers.” There are many ways that a bus driver may have acted negligently.
Bus drivers must operate with due care in any areas like a bus station where pedestrians are known to congregate. If a bus driver pulls into the path of another vehicle, this could be construed as negligence. The company or municipal entity that operated a bus could be liable for a collision. Generally speaking, employers in Illinois can be held vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees who were operating within the course and scope of their job duties.
Many people are seriously injured or killed in bus accidents every year in the United States. According to The Journalist’s Resource, “on average, about 63,000 buses [of all kinds] are involved in an accident each year; about 14,000 result in an injured person, and 325 result in a fatal injury.” Victims of these collisions tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries.
Even after the physical injuries caused by a bus accident heal, victims may be left with long-term psychological damage. It is important for victims to understand that they do have legal options. They are able to seek some measure of justice through a personal injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
We at Butler Kahn extend our best wishes to the victims of this DeKalb County bus accident. It is our sincere hope that all affected parties will be able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable collision that should not have taken place. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a DeKalb County bus accident? You may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Our team of bus accident attorneys is here to help. We are committed to helping accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach us anytime at 678-940-1444.
