Atlanta MARTA Accident Lawyer

Hire an Atlanta Injury Lawyer for MARTA Accidents

If you or a loved one has been injured in a MARTA-related accident, navigating the claims process can feel overwhelming. Accidents involving MARTA buses, trains, or facilities often involve unique legal complexities that require experienced legal guidance. At Spaulding Injury Law, our skilled attorneys are dedicated to helping victims secure the compensation they deserve. From handling government claims to collecting crucial evidence, we take care of every detail so you can focus on your recovery.

Contact Spaulding Injury Law today by giving us a call at (470)380-0144 for a FREE no-risk consulstation and let us fight to protect your rights after a MARTA accident.

Why Are MARTA Bus Accidents So Dangerous?

Collisions involving MARTA buses or other large vehicles pose serious risks to drivers, pedestrians, and passengers. Because buses are much heavier and taller than standard cars, accidents often result in catastrophic damage to smaller vehicles. In one recent year alone, crashes involving buses and large trucks caused over 127,000 injuries and more than 5,000 fatalities nationwide.

Passengers inside MARTA buses are also at high risk of injury. Without seatbelts and due to the high center of gravity of these vehicles, rollovers or sudden collisions can lead to severe injuries like fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and internal trauma. Understanding these risks is key when filing a MARTA injury claim.

Because of the severity of these crashes, as well as the complexities discussed above, it is essential that you have an experienced MARTA accident lawyer on your side.

How Distracted Driving Can Lead to MARTA Accidents

Distracted driving happens when a driver engages in activities that divert attention from safely operating a vehicle. For MARTA operators, this could include texting, eating, talking to passengers, or even checking a route map while driving. Unlike regular motorists, MARTA drivers are responsible for the safety of dozens of passengers, meaning they are held to stricter safety standards under the law.

When MARTA drivers are distracted, the consequences can be devastating, leading to collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, or property. If you’ve been injured in a MARTA accident caused by a distracted driver, the attorneys at Spaulding Injury Law will investigate thoroughly to determine if negligence was a factor and hold the responsible parties accountable.

The Dangers of Fatigued Driving in MARTA Accidents

Fatigued driving is a major safety concern for public transportation systems like MARTA. Drivers are required by law to follow strict limits on how many hours they can work without rest. However, overtired drivers sometimes violate these limits or are scheduled to work demanding shifts that leave them too fatigued to operate buses or trains safely.

When a fatigued driver is behind the wheel, their slowed reaction times can lead to serious accidents, endangering passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists. Spaulding Injury Law investigates cases involving driver fatigue by reviewing driving logs, shift schedules, and other evidence to determine whether MARTA failed to ensure its operators were well-rested and compliant with safety regulations.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a MARTA Accident?

If you’ve been injured in a MARTA accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your losses. These losses, known as damages, go beyond just covering medical bills—they include the broader financial and emotional impacts of your injuries.

Medical Expenses: This includes both past medical bills and future treatment costs, which often require expert medical evaluations.

Lost Income and Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may recover compensation for lost wages or reduced earning capacity if you can no longer perform the same type of work.

Pain and Suffering: While harder to quantify, this includes compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall impact on your quality of life.

Calculating damages can be complex, but the attorneys at Spaulding Injury Law have extensive experience in evaluating claims to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.

Why Are MARTA Accident Claims Different?

Filing a claim for a MARTA accident is more complicated than a standard personal injury case because MARTA is a government-run agency. This means your claim is subject to specific rules and deadlines unique to government claims. For instance:

Tight Deadlines: You have far less time to file a claim against MARTA than for a typical car accident. Acting quickly after an accident is essential to preserve your rights.

Special Legal Procedures: MARTA claims require submitting formal notices and following strict government protocols.

Having an experienced MARTA accident attorney in Atlanta on your side ensures that all legal requirements are met and that your case is positioned for success from the start.

Spaulding Injury Law's Approach To MARTA Injury Claims

From the moment we are hired to represent you in your injury claim, we get to work the same day to accomplish two immediate goals:

• Put MARTA on notice to preserve all evidence that could conceivably be related to your incident; and
• Secure and collect all evidence to not only prove that MARTA was negligent in causing your injuries but to present the most compelling case possible in court.

Notice To Preserve Evidence

We accomplish this goal by immediately getting out what is called a Spoliation of Evidence Letter to headquarters identifying your specific incident and listing categories of evidence we expect MARTA to preserve. This is important for two reasons:

• MARTA controls all or almost all of the evidence needed to prove its negligence; and
• Once proper notice is sent, Atlanta law protects you from any failure on MARTA’s part to properly preserve that evidence.

What is MARTA?

MARTA, or the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, is the primary public transportation system serving the Atlanta metropolitan area. Established in 1971, MARTA operates buses, trains, and paratransit services to provide reliable and affordable transit options for residents and visitors. With its extensive network, MARTA helps reduce traffic congestion and connect people to jobs, schools, and other essential destinations across the region.

Where Does MARTA Operate?

MARTA serves a wide area within the Atlanta metropolitan region, including the city of Atlanta and the surrounding counties of Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton. Its system features:

Train Service: Four rail lines (Red, Gold, Blue, and Green) with over 38 stations connecting key areas such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, downtown Atlanta, and major suburbs.

Bus Routes: A network of over 100 bus routes that extend into neighborhoods and areas not directly served by rail.

Paratransit Services: Special transportation options for riders with disabilities throughout the service area.

MARTA’s coverage makes it a vital part of Atlanta’s transportation infrastructure, helping millions of riders each year reach their destinations. If you were involved in a MARTA accident in a neighboring city outside of Atlanta, Spaulding Injury Law can help you from one of our other 3 locations in Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, and Cumming, GA.

What Should I Do If I Was in a MARTA Accident?

If you’ve been injured in an accident involving MARTA, whether on a bus, train, or at a station, taking the right steps is crucial to protecting your rights and securing fair compensation:

Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health by getting medical treatment for any injuries, even if they seem minor at first.

Report the Incident: Notify MARTA staff or authorities about the accident so that it is documented.

Collect Evidence: Gather information such as the location, time, and details of the incident. Take photos of the scene, any visible injuries, and damaged property. If possible, collect contact information from witnesses.

File a Police Report: A formal police report can provide an official record of the incident, which can be critical for your case.

Consult a MARTA Accident Lawyer: Public transportation claims are complex and involve strict deadlines and government procedures. An experienced attorney can guide you through the process, help collect evidence, and ensure your claim complies with all legal requirements.

What Does It Cost To Hire A MARTA Injury Lawyer?

At Spaulding Injury Law we handle MARTA injury claims and cases no different from other personal injury matters. You owe nothing upfront and during our pursuit of your claim or case.

Instead, we handle these cases on what is called a contingency fee. Our fees are paid out of your settlement or verdict on a percentage of what was recovered. If nothing is recovered you do not owe us any attorneys’ fees.

You also do not owe anything during the pursuit of your case against MARTA for the expenses involved. Our firm covers all of those expenses (for example: the cost to secure evidence; take depositions or to hire experts) up front and receives reimbursement for them out of a settlement or verdict in your case.