The long road to recovery after a bus accident can feel intimidating. M. Austin Jackson will stand by your side as you take those first steps forward, then offer compassionate guidance to see your case through to the end.
Get in touch with our local law firm and request a free consultation today. With a centrally-located office and lawyers licensed in both Georgia and South Carolina, we make it convenient for our clients to find us when they need a trusted attorney. And, if you can’t come to us, we will come to you!
Schedule your free consultation today. Fill out the form, or call 706-981-9286 to share your story and explore your legal options.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus accident in Augusta, the compassionate attorneys at M. Austin Jackson are ready to listen to your story and advocate for your right to fair compensation.
Whether you were a passenger, motorist, or pedestrian involved in a bus accident, you don’t have to face recovery alone. M. Austin Jackson is an experienced personal injury firm that’s here to provide support and legal guidance. We know the Augusta streets like the back of our hand, and we’re here to take care of our neighbors during a difficult time.
Reach out today, and let the team at M. Austin Jackson help you find the right next step for you and your family.
We understand the challenges our clients are facing, and we know how to secure results on their behalf.
We charge our clients nothing until we secure them a financial recovery.
Not only is our practice based in Augusta, GA, but so are we. We live right where our clients are.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a bus accident, reach out to us today for a free consultation.
In the aftermath of a bus accident, you may be able to pursue compensation from the at-fault party (or parties). An Augusta bus accident attorney can advocate for your right to receive damages, which can include:
As your Augusta bus accident attorney, M. Austin Jackson will take the time to listen to your concerns and analyze the details of your accident. With your help, we’ll paint an accurate picture of how the collision has impacted your life, ensuring you get a full and just recovery.
In Georgia and South Carolina, most bus accident claims are based on the legal doctrine of negligence. To prove that the other party was negligent, you’ll need to prove four elements:
Often, fault is the most difficult element of negligence to prove. Since multiple parties can be involved in a bus accident, proving fault can be complicated, and it’s important to work with a skilled personal injury attorney who knows local roads, laws, and regulations.
Remember, your recovery isn’t always limited to the bus driver. Other potential at-fault parties in a bus accident may include:
The severity of your injuries and damages also plays a role in determining whether you have a bus accident claim.
If you’re not sure whether you have a claim, reach out to M. Austin Jackson, and we’ll set you on the right path with a free consultation.
M. Austin Jackson helps bus accident victims and their families pursue damages while they heal from their injuries. Born and raised in Augusta, Georgia, Austin established his personal injury practice to offer compassionate legal counsel to his neighbors in Georgia and South Carolina.
As your local bus accident attorney, Austin and his team of skilled lawyers will ensure that your case is a top priority from our first consultation to the final settlement.
Since 2013, M. Austin Jackson has been helping his injured neighbors throughout Georgia and South Carolina.
Yes! It’s often hard to grasp the extent of your injuries right after an accident. You might have lingering symptoms, and your injuries could impact your quality of life in unexpected ways. An attorney can get you compensation for the full scope of your injuries: physical, mental, and emotional.
Not only can buses cause more serious injuries and property damage than other motor vehicles, but bus drivers, bus companies, and transit providers (such as a city bus or a board of education bus) must uphold different safety standards and follow unique traffic regulations. Bus services must also provide intensive training for their drivers to ensure safety.
M. Austin Jackson knows the complexities of bus laws in Georgia and South Carolina—he’s a lifelong Augusta resident and seasoned personal injury attorney. Our local firm doesn’t shy away from going up against bus companies and their insurance providers, helping to maximize your settlement and even representing you in the courtroom if need be.
While representing your case, M. Austin Jackson works tirelessly to give you the attention and advocacy you need to secure the best possible outcome and move on with your life.
If you sustain injuries in an accident, seek medical attention immediately. Even if your injuries seem minor, don’t wait to get care. Taking extra precautions can aid in your recovery and strengthen your case.
As with any motor vehicle accident, you’ll want to call the police to report the incident. Here are some other steps you should take:
An attorney can help you navigate the process of filing a claim and ensure that you receive a fair offer from the driver’s insurance company.
Bus accidents can cause both minor and life-threatening injuries, including:
No matter the extent of your injuries, M. Austin Jackson will work tirelessly to ensure you’re fairly compensated.
After filing your bus accident claim, you may encounter private insurance carriers, private charter and tour bus carriers, or government or public carriers. Each carrier receives different treatment under the law, particularly public bus carriers. With this added layer of complexity, you want a firm of experienced Augusta personal injury attorneys to represent you.
You should avoid making statements or signing documents from the bus company’s insurance adjusters before speaking with your attorney. Your attorney will handle all communications and negotiations with the bus company and its insurance providers on your behalf. If the bus was publicly owned or operated, your attorney will navigate special notice requirements and time limits for filing a claim against a government entity.
M. Austin Jackson is a skilled negotiator with a detailed understanding of bus crash laws in Georgia and South Carolina, and his legal team will navigate the nuances of local and state laws to get you fair compensation.
Our clients were driving down the highway when a school bus driver made a dangerous left turn into their path, causing a violent collision that resulted in serious damage and injuries. After reviewing the crash, investigating the defendant’s poor driving record, and building a strong case, we were able to secure hundreds of thousands of dollars for our clients.
All buses can be hazardous on the road if proper safety precautions aren’t followed. City buses, school buses, charter buses, shuttle buses, and other private buses can cause severe injuries.
The types of accidents we encounter are most frequently related to:
When you need a knowledgeable, approachable attorney following a bus accident in Georgia or South Carolina, contact M. Austin Jackson. We’ll listen to your needs, advocate for your interests, and keep you informed every step of the way.
To prove the bus driver or bus company was at fault, you’ll want to gather physical evidence from the accident scene. If there are witnesses, be sure to collect their statements and contact info.
It’s also important to document the bus company’s negligence. This may mean showing the bus had safety issues or maintenance problems the company failed to address. It could also mean the driver was improperly trained or that the bus company violated federal or state regulations for bus operations and safety.
If the driver breached their duty of care by speeding, driving recklessly, or not paying attention, you can prove they failed to exercise the degree of care they owe to passengers.
Those injured in a bus accident can seek compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, victims may be able to recover compensation for other damages, such as punitive damages intended to punish the at-fault party.
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing bus accident cases is two years. For publicly owned and operated buses, initial notices of any claim must be sent within six months for accidents involving city, county, or municipal vehicles and within a year for state vehicles in order to fully pursue any claim against the public entity.
Additionally, each school district or board of education in Georgia has the authority to make distinct rules and decisions regarding their claims process, although the two-year statute of limitation still applies to claims against such entities. However, there are important exceptions and exemptions to all these general rules.
In South Carolina, the statute of limitations is three years for privately-owned buses. For buses owned and operated by the state, the statute of limitations for filing a case can be two or three years depending on whether it is appropriate to file a verified claim with the appropriate state entity, which must be done within one year of the accident. However, there are also important exceptions and exemptions to these general rules—and there are significant differences compared to the laws of Georgia.
Not without guidance from an experienced bus accident attorney. Any recorded statement you make can be harmful to your case and negatively impact your right to receive damages.
You may be able to file a wrongful death claim if someone else’s negligence caused the accident. A wrongful death claim allows you to seek compensation for the damages and losses your loved one experienced prior to their death and for the losses you and your family have suffered.