If you were injured on a MARTA bus in Atlanta, you may be able to file a claim, but the process is different from a typical accident case. Special notice requirements, shorter deadlines, and government procedures can all affect your ability to recover compensation. Acting quickly and understanding these rules can make a significant difference in protecting your rights.
Because MARTA is a government entity, these claims require careful preparation from the start. Our Atlanta bus accident lawyers can explain the steps involved, ensure the required notice is properly filed, and begin building a strong case on your behalf. Having legal guidance early can help you avoid costly mistakes and pursue the compensation you deserve.
You Must Give Notice
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is owned and operated by a joint county authority, so you would need to file your claim or lawsuit against a government entity. However, you cannot simply sue a government agency for your injury. You must first present the claim to MARTA within just a few months of your injury. MARTA then has the opportunity to investigate your claim and obtain evidence.
Your notice must include when and where the accident occurred, the name of the entity in question (MARTA), your injuries and losses, your damages, and what action led to the accident.
For a free legal consultation, call (404) 888-8888
You Must Prove Negligence
To hold MARTA’s ownership liable for a bus crash, you must establish the following elements of negligence:
- The bus driver owed you a duty of care. A duty of care is some obligation the other party owes you. Buses are common carriers, so they owe passengers a higher degree of care. A bus driver’s duty of care to passengers and other road users is to drive safely and avoid violating traffic laws.
- The bus driver breached that duty of care. For example, the bus driver was intoxicated, fatigued, distracted, inexperienced, or reckless.
- The breach of duty caused the accident. For example, the bus driver fell asleep behind the wheel and drove through a red light, hitting multiple cars and injuring other drivers and passengers of the bus itself. You sustained a traumatic brain injury and broken ribs when you were thrown around the bus.
- You suffered damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
This can be difficult to prove on your own. Our bus accident attorneys can build your case and substantiate it.
Building a Claim for a MARTA Bus Accident
Building a strong claim against MARTA requires a detailed and thorough investigation. Because MARTA is a government entity, these cases often involve unique rules, strict deadlines, and aggressive defense strategies. Our legal team knows what it takes to develop persuasive evidence and protect your right to compensation.
We begin by identifying and preserving all available evidence as early as possible, including:
- Data from the bus’s event data recorder (black box): MARTA buses are equipped with electronic systems that record critical information such as speed, braking, acceleration, and steering input in the moments leading up to a crash. This data can help establish whether the bus operator was speeding, failed to brake in time, or otherwise operated the vehicle negligently.
- Eyewitness statements: Independent witnesses can provide valuable insight into how the accident occurred. We locate and interview passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, and nearby bystanders to document what they saw before, during, and after the collision. These statements often play a key role in corroborating your version of events.
- Expert witness testimony: In many MARTA bus accident cases, expert analysis is essential. We work with qualified professionals such as accident reconstruction experts, transportation safety specialists, and medical experts who can explain how the crash happened, why it occurred, and how your injuries were caused. Their testimony can be critical when negotiating a settlement or presenting your case in court.
In addition to this evidence, we may also obtain surveillance footage, maintenance and inspection records, driver training files, and official incident reports. Every piece of evidence helps us build a clear, compelling narrative that demonstrates liability and the full extent of your damages.
Our goal is to leave no unanswered questions and no overlooked details, so your claim is positioned as strongly as possible from the start.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Who Can Be Liable for a MARTA Bus Accident?
Liability in a MARTA bus accident depends on how the crash occurred and who was responsible. In many cases, more than one party may be legally liable for your injuries.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
- The bus driver, if the crash was caused by negligent driving, such as speeding, distraction, fatigue, or failure to follow traffic laws
- MARTA, if the bus driver’s negligence or MARTA’s negligence caused the crash
- Another motorist whose careless or reckless driving caused or contributed to the accident
- Maintenance or repair contractors, if improper servicing or mechanical failures played a role in the crash
- Manufacturers of defective bus parts that caused or worsened the accident
- Government entities responsible for unsafe road conditions, traffic signals, or signage
Because MARTA bus accidents often involve multiple contributing factors, identifying every liable party is essential to pursuing full compensation.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Can I Hold MARTA Liable If I Contributed to the Accident?
You may be able to file a claim, even if your negligence contributed to the crash. Georgia follows modified comparative negligence laws that allow injured people to recover compensation, even if they share a percentage of fault. However, you must be less than 50% responsible to recover compensation, per O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33.
Can I Afford to File a Claim Against MARTA?
Filing a claim against a government agency can be difficult and expensive if you handle it yourself. If you have our team handle your bus accident claim, you don’t need to worry about funding your case or paying anything upfront. We take cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay for our help unless we win your case.
We Can Help You File a Claim If You Were Injured on a MARTA Bus
MARTA bus accident claims are not handled like ordinary injury cases. Strict notice requirements, shortened deadlines, and government procedures can all affect your right to compensation. Missing even one step can permanently bar your claim. Understanding who may be liable and how these cases work is essential, but taking action early is just as important. We can protect your rights, preserve critical evidence, and guide you through the process from start to finish.
Call Bader Law Injury Lawyers today to get started with a free consultation.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
