Who Pays When a School Bus Driver Causes an Accident?
Every driver has a duty to obey traffic laws and to operate their vehicles safely. These duties are especially critical when it comes to school bus drivers. We trust these individuals not just with the safety of our children, but of everyone else who has to share the road with these oversized vehicles.
A recent accident in Pooler, Georgia, illustrates what can go wrong when school bus drivers act in a reckless manner. On January 26, 2026, a Chatham County Schools bus driver attempted to make a left turn from Pooler Parkway onto Pine Barren Road. According to news reports, the driver later told police that he “believed he could make the turn” before another vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, reached the intersection.
Unfortunately, the bus driver misjudged the Corolla’s speed. So as the bus driver made his turn, the Corolla struck the side of the bus. This caused the Corolla to become wedged underneath the school bus, trapping the Corolla’s driver in his vehicle. First responders at the scene managed to extract the Corolla driver and take him to a local hospital.
Georgia’s Sovereign Immunity Rules and Public Bus Accident Claims
As with any motor vehicle crash, a bus accident victim can seek compensation for their medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering from the parties whose negligence caused such damages. This includes not just the at-fault bus driver but also the legal entity that hires and trains them. Indeed, as with any employer, a Georgia school district can be held liable for bus accidents caused by one of their employees.
That said, suing a public school district introduces some additional legal complications. As a political subdivision of the State of Georgia, a school district is considered a “sovereign” entity that is generally immune from civil lawsuits. Georgia law does waive this sovereign immunity in personal injury cases. But filing such a claim requires the victims to first provide written notice to the government subdivision detailing the underlying accident and the amount of compensation sought.
This notice must be presented within 1 year of the accident. The state then has 90 days to accept or deny the claim. Once this period expires, or the claim is denied, the victim can then file their personal injury lawsuit in state court.
Even if successful, however, there are limits on the types and amount of damages a bus accident victim can recover against a school district or other public transportation agency. Georgia law limits recovery in these cases to $1 million per person or $3 million per accident in compensatory damages. Punitive damages, which can be awarded in some accident cases involving private defendants, are not available in bus accident cases against public entities.
Contact an Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyer
If you are involved in an accident caused by any kind of commercial vehicle, it is critical to seek out legal advice as soon as possible. Our Atlanta bus accident lawyers are here to help. Contact Morain & Buckelew, LLC, today at (404) 448-3146 to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
wtoc.com/2026/01/28/school-bus-driver-deemed-fault-after-monday-morning-crash-pooler-pd-confirms/