MARTA Bus Hits Pedestrian in Downtown Atlanta
Recently, a woman was hit by a MARTA bus in downtown Atlanta. The accident occurred at the intersection of Forsyth and Alabama Street. Authorities report that the bus was turning left in the intersection when it hit a woman in the crosswalk at about 7 a.m. Atlanta police have cited the bus driver for failure to yield to a pedestrian. Fortunately, the woman survived the accident, but sustained a shoulder injury.
MARTA Injury Rate Rises
This is not the first accident to involve MARTA. In November, a MARTA train hit a homeless man who had wandered onto the tracks. Another MARTA bus accident last year resulted in injuries to eight passengers. While MARTA provides an essential means of transportation for many in the metro-Atlanta area, accidents can occur where any large vehicle is involved.
Causes of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents occur too often in Atlanta and the surrounding area. These accidents can result in serious injuries, damage to property, and potentially even fatalities. There are several reasons why bus accidents occur, including, but not limited to:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Drowsy driving
- Poor weather conditions
- Distracted driving
- Defective bus equipment
- Improper bus maintenance
- Failure to follow traffic signals
Bus accidents can be more serious than the average car accident due to the immense size and weight of the vehicle involved. Additionally, bus accidents can injure not just the passengers of the other vehicle involved, but the often dozens of bus passengers as well.
What To Do If You Are Involved in a Bus Accident
If you have been involved in a bus accident, it is imperative that you first receive the medical attention you need. Immediately following an accident, the full extent of your injuries might not be apparent. As such, it is always wise to be assessed and treated after any accident that could potentially have inflicted injuries.
Your next important step will be contacting a licensed personal injury lawyer. Your attorney will assist you in investigating the accident and taking the necessary steps to protect your legal rights. Bus accident victims should be eligible to receive compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more from the at fault person or party. Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible can help to ensure your legal rights are protected to the fullest extent. Moreover, bus accidents can result in complex litigation, with multiple defendants and insurance companies involved. Potential responsible parties include the bus driver, the bus management company, equipment manufacturers, and other drivers. Consequently, you will need skilled assistance to navigate this involved legal process.
Contact Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation!
If you or a loved one has been injured in any sort of traffic accident, you should be eligible to seek compensation from the driver responsible for the accident. The Georgia Personal Injury Lawyers at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, assist injured accident victims across Georgia and in the Southeast. Our firm has over 39 years of experience and are committed to providing zealous representation to our injured clients. The sooner you act after your accident, the greater your chances of obtaining a full recovery. As such, it is important that you seek the assistance of a licensed lawyer as soon as possible. Call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Source:
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/crime-law/pedestrian-hit-by-marta-bus-in-atlanta/np5mc/