Bus Accident in Florida
When a bus accident involving a bus driver occurs, it’s the job of an experienced attorney to determine who is at fault in the accident and to help you receive fair compensation. But this task can be difficult because the Florida bus operator has the special responsibility of transporting people. The vehicle has several categories – public transportation for carrying people as well as school Florida buses. In each case, Florida bus crash attorneys study the circumstances of the incident, check the expertise, and take into account the peculiarities of transporting people who happen to be involved in a Florida bus accident.
Florida Bus Accident Attorneys
The role of a bus accident lawyer is not limited to just writing the lawsuit. Investigating the details of the accident allows the lawyer to look into the insurance and other liabilities of the at-fault party so that compensation can be obtained, the likely fault of the other party can be established, and the degree of liability and damages can be proven by the state if there has been negligence on their part. The most difficult part of this situation will be the detailed forensic examination which will determine not only the technical condition of the Florida bus at the time of the accident, but also what maneuvers and actions each driver of the vehicle as well as pedestrians, bicyclists, and/or motorcyclists were engaged in at the time of the collisions. In this case, there is the problem of determining the fault of both the driver and the employer where the operator of the vehicle is providing services. Over the years, our Florida bus accident lawyers have been able to repeatedly defend the rights of injured victims who have been fairly compensated at the end of the incident.
Common Bus Accident Injuries
When a large passenger Florida bus collides with a pedestrian or bicyclist, the consequences can be devastating. It is not uncommon for personal injuries to occur to passengers as well as the bus driver. Once in a Florida bus accident, the following injuries are the most common:
- Head and spinal cord injury – In an extreme situation, a person is unable to control his or her body, and a sharp blow causes pain in the head and back.
- Bone fracture – A sudden collision causes a passenger to lose their balance on the bus, resulting in broken bones in the arms and legs.
- Cuts – There are a fair number of windows in the vehicle, and breakage results in sharp glass, which causes severe cuts to soft tissue and also creates a high likelihood of major blood loss.
- Internal injuries – Pedestrians and cyclists usually suffer such injuries, with punctured lungs, liver damage, and internal bleeding recorded.
It is important to remember that even with minor injuries, you need to see a doctor within 14 days. In the future, thanks to this, if complications arise, you will be able to get compensation for medical expenses. We recommend that you seek the help of our bus accident attorney in this case.
Florida Bus Accident FAQ
What is the right way for the passenger or other party to act during a bus accident? Our Florida lawyers’ experience shows that not everyone is aware of their rights, which can sometimes cause them to lose valuable time. We answer your frequently asked questions and help you resolve problems effectively. If you can’t find an answer to your question, contact an attorney for a free consultation.
How often do bus accidents occur?
According to statistics, students who ride buses are 70 times more likely to get to school safely than they are if they use a passenger car. The only potential dangers for students would be boarding and disembarking at a bus stop. By following the minimum requirements, these risks are reduced to near-zero.
Despite the abundance of personal transportation, more than 700 million Americans travel by bus each year. Historically, about 13% of those killed in bus crashes are passengers. The rest of the fatalities are shared by bicyclists, pedestrians, and bus drivers. On average, about 60,000 bus crashes occur each year in the United States. Researchers estimate that about 14,000 people sustain personal injuries.
What are some of the common causes of bus accidents?
When filing a lawsuit, an experienced attorney reviews the bus accident situation in detail so that the degree of culpability of those involved, including the bus driver, can be determined. It is generally accepted that the following are the main causes that lead to a bus accident.
- Distracted driving – The operator of the vehicle is subject to strict requirements because he or she is transporting a group of people and is responsible for doing so. Extraneous conversations with passengers distract the bus driver, which often causes accidents.
- Poor vehicle maintenance – The car has its own operating life and insufficient control over the technical condition of the car can provoke an accident. In this case, the compensation for damages in Florida will be laid not only on the driver, but also on the transportation company.
- Drowsy Driving – Very often in our practice, we encounter car operators driving at night, which leads to drowsiness and, consequently, to a car accident. In some states in the U.S. it is illegal to carry a group of people at night, but it is permissible to carry passengers at night if there is an industrial necessity.
What do I do after I'm involved in a bus accident?
The first step is to objectively assess your current situation. If necessary, call 911 and report the incident in Florida. Then find information about whether or not medical assistance is needed for the victims. Next, report the car accident to your insurance company. Wait for the police officer to arrive without interfering with the examination. You do not need to tell the police officer who you think is responsible for the accident. In addition, the victims’ attention is drawn to the actions of insurance agents. Do not sign any documents – otherwise there is a risk that the insurance you get is only the minimum, and you will not be compensated, for example, punitive damages. In any situation it is recommended to contact your bus crash lawyer immediately and get instructions on how to proceed.
What Legal Rights are Available to a Bus Accident Victim?
The most vulnerable person in a bus accident will be the passenger, pedestrian, and bicyclist who are less protected in a collision. Depending on the specific situation, this group of road users have rights that allow them to receive compensation benefits. An attorney’s help will help you draft a claim against the following parties involved:
- The operator of the vehicle – If the driver had actual driving errors, he or she will be found at fault.
- The passenger transportation company – Improper technical conditions triggered the accident, and the fault will be on the side of the bus company.
- The manufacturer of the bus – The manufacturer manufactured a knowingly defective vehicle that caused a serious bus accident.
- Another reckless driver of another vehicle whose fault caused the accident.
Only the results of the examination will help you determine who is the at-fault party. An experienced lawyer can help you figure this out.
Who is liable for bus accidents?
Depending on the specific circumstances of the accident, the guilty party may be:
- The bus operator
- Another driver
- Transportation company
- The manufacturer
- The other person involved in the crash who violated the rules
To determine the degree of culpability, there is an examination that is used to determine a modified degree of culpability. We recommend getting an explanation from our attorney on how the degree of fault in a car accident is determined.
How much can I recover financially after a bus accident?
The exact amount of compensation you will receive will depend on whether you have insurance for everyone involved in the accident. There is a requirement to have several types of insurance for transportation companies and bus drivers. The minimum amount of such insurance is $20,000. However, there are other laws that regulate the procedure of insurance in the field of passenger transportation. Financial compensation may include medical expenses, rehabilitation, loss of job, restoration of damaged vehicles, and other punitive damages. By default, all bus passengers are insured. If you are the victim of an accident, get a bus accident attorney for your case.
Why contact a lawyer after a Florida bus accident?
Unfortunately, Florida bus accidents are not uncommon in the state despite the safety measures that are in place. However, many passengers, pedestrians, and other injured parties do not always take advantage of their legal options to obtain compensation and restitution. Help from a lawyer can help you in the following cases.
- Filing all necessary documents with the insurance company.
- Collecting evidence for your claim.
- Managing communication with interested parties.
- Filing a statewide claim with a court panel, if necessary.
Bus Accidents Statistics
Bus accidents were reported statewide in 2019, with:
- No fatalities
- Incapacitating – 56
- Non-Incapacitating- 364
- Possible injuries- 1,214
Get a free consultation
Our experienced bus accident attorney is always available to give you a free consultation. You can present your case and get an objective assessment of your options for compensation and other benefits after the incident.
References and Resources:
https://www.nctr.usf.edu/pdf/392-05.pdf
https://www.paulsoncoletti.com/bus-accident-statistics/
https://www.trafficaccidentlawcenters.com/2019/10/what-are-some-common-bus-accident-injuries/
https://www.friedlandlawgroup.com/bus-accidents.html
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