Whether you were injured as a rider on a bus, a motorist or passenger in a vehicle struck by a bus, or in another bus-related traffic accident, you may be able to obtain compensation for your accident-related losses. If you hire an Orlando bus accident lawyer to help you pursue compensation, then you may be able to obtain compensation without dealing with your insurance claim or lawsuit firsthand—your lawyer will seek justice for you.
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at (844) 730-0233 for details of how we will take on your case for justice, even if it appears tough.
Buses Should Be Safe
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes several features that are intended to make school buses, and other types of buses, safer than passenger vehicles. Those features include:
- Buses are generally larger than passenger vehicles, which should make them more visible to other motorists.
- Buses may have specialized safety equipment, such as lights and stop signs.
- Buses may be equipped with a design intended to distribute the force of an accident in a way that reduces the risk of injury.
- Buses may have ultra-strong seats intended to absorb the impact of a collision.
Buses may also be heavier than the average vehicle, reducing their ability to reach high speeds. Bus drivers may also undergo substantial vetting and special training. These features do not mean that those who ride buses are immune from injury, nor does it guarantee that a bus driver or the bus itself will not cause an accident.
The Danger of Unsafe Buses and Drivers
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) shows that 43 bus occupants died on the highway in 2018, and 64 died two years prior. Additional bus rider deaths may have occurred in those years, as the statistics combine several modes of transportation (including buses) in a category called “non-rail transit”.
The reality that bus riders can and do die while riding in buses indicates that the design of buses are not enough to prevent injury and death. Those who drive buses must take necessary precautions to avoid causing accidents, and those who own buses must ensure that the vehicles are safe before approving them for use.
A bus’s weight and design could cause safety issues, including:
- A rollover accident, as buses are taller than many passenger vehicles and could rollover under certain circumstances
- A lack of seatbelts, which may lead to severe injury in rollover accidents and other accident types
- A lack of airbags
- A weight that, according to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, is far greater than passenger vehicles and could cause great damage as a consequence
Bus drivers owe it to themselves, their passengers, other motorists, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians to operate their bus with great care. If they fail to do so, they and perhaps others may be held financially liable for injuries, death, and other losses that they cause.
An Orlando bus accident lawyer will review the facts of your accident and could help you seek any compensation that you are entitled to. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today to speak with a team member about how we may assist you after a bus-related accident.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Orlando, call (844) 730-0233
A Lawyer Will Handle Your Bus Accident Case
You may be able to win compensation from multiple parties if you or a loved one were injured or killed in a bus accident. Some parties who may have liability for a bus accident are:
- A bus driver
- A private company that owns the bus involved in your accident
- A municipality if the bus involved in your accident was government-owned
- A bus manufacturer if a defect is to blame for the accident
- Any person whose work on a bus may have caused a malfunction
A lawyer may understand liability issues specific to bus accidents and will determine all parties who are responsible for your accident and losses. An attorney can defend your rights, inform you of your options for seeking compensation, and execute the plan that you agree to follow.
If your plan involves a lawsuit, then your lawyer will:
- Gather all available evidence related to your bus accident
- Speak with your doctors to obtain documentation of your injuries
- Research legal statutes and precedents related to your case
- File your lawsuit in the appropriate court
- File paperwork, make appearances, and take all necessary measures to move your lawsuit forward
- Negotiate a settlement on your behalf
- Complete a trial if it is necessary
The New York Times notes that, in many cases, a settlement could be the preferred outcome for plaintiffs, as opposed to going to court. Your lawyer will strive to negotiate a settlement for you or your loved one but will be prepared to go to trial if they cannot secure a fair settlement.
Hiring an Orlando bus accident lawyer could allow you to focus more time and attention on recovery from your bus accident-related injuries.
Orlando Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC Today
Orlando is a bustling city where, because of the presence of Disney World, universities, and other factors, buses may have a greater presence than the typical American city. Those buses can create a hazard and cause injury or death if they are not driven and maintained with the necessary care.
Your lawyer may be able to win compensation for you, which may include coverage for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Permanent harm to your earning power
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- The cost of rehabilitation
- Therapy
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at (844) 730-0233 for a free consultation regarding how we may help you pursue compensation after a bus accident. Do not wait to call, as Florida § 95.11 generally restricts the time that you have to bring a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
