Many people do not take notice of buses until they are boarding one themselves. However, a collision with a school or transit bus can leave you and any other riders in your car with severe injuries. The difference in size between a bus and a passenger vehicle is not comparable. The impact of these two can be absolutely devastating.
In accidents involving buses, you may be able to hold multiple parties liable for your losses. This may include the bus driver, the company that employs the driver, or the company that manufactured the bus. You may also be eligible to collect a financial award to repair or replace your vehicle.
After seeking immediate medical attention for your injuries, you should also seek legal guidance from a Pembroke Pines bus accident lawyer. Reach out to the legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC at 800-921-7227.
Types of Buses Involved in Accidents
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles defines a bus as a motor coach that can seat more than nine people, including the driver. In 2017, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported that 4,889 commercial vehicles were involved in fatal accidents. This was a 9% increase from the previous year.
The reported fatalities involved the following types of buses:
- School buses (40%)
- Public transit buses (35%)
- Intercity buses (13%)
These statistics show that you are not alone in suffering from a collision involving a bus. After surviving such a detrimental accident, you may face a long recovery period that can impede your ability to provide for you and your family.
The accident lawyers at Ben Crump, PLLC have the insight and resources you need to pursue your claim. We can assess your personal injuries and help build a case that supports your account of events. To speak with an injury attorney from our legal team, call us today at 800-921-7227.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Pembroke Pines, call 800-921-7227
A Police Report Is Mandatory if You Were Involved in a Bus Crash
Florida requires that all accidents that meet any of the following criteria warrant a police report:
- If the accident resulted in death, injury, or “any indication of complaints of pain or discomfort”.
- If either of the vehicles was towed from the scene.
- If there was any property damage.
- If the accident involved a commercial vehicle.
A bus does qualify as a commercial vehicle, so a police report in this instance is mandatory. If a law enforcement official was not present at the scene, you have 10 days to file a traffic crash report with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
A police report is vital to supporting your claim. Often, the report will include the contact information of the bus driver, relevant license plate numbers, and other useful observations. Depending on the severity of the collision, this document may also contain diagrams and photos documenting the accident.
If your bus wreck left you emotionally or physically unable to collect pertinent evidence, this is where an accident attorney can be of assistance. Your team can request the police report on your behalf and work to recover any evidence that may bolster your claim.
Pembroke Pines Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-921-7227
File Your Police Report and Personal Injury Claim on Time
In Florida, the statute of limitations on filing a claim for financial recovery is four years from the date of the accident.
Time is an important factor in filing your case. However, these constraints should not pressure you into negotiating with the liable party’s insurance company. Agreeing to any terms or accepting a settlement may quickly put money in your pocket but may not fully cover your future expenses and losses.
Your personal injury lawyer can help you accurately assess the value of your claim and lay out a course of action to promote a favorable settlement. Recovering from the physical injuries and emotional impact of a bus accident should be your first priority. Your attorney can start preparing and filing your case while you focus on healing.
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The Four Elements of Negligence
To prove that the other party is responsible for your losses, our accident lawyers must verify that four factors were present in your accident. These are sometimes called “the four elements of negligence.”
They include:
- Duty of care. From the moment that the other driver put their keys into the ignition, they assumed a certain level of care that they would take precautions to not harm others while driving. This is an implied responsibility for everyone on the road.
- Breach of care. Your legal team must prove that the other party acted in such a way that violated their duty of care. This can include distracted driving, poor judgment, or breaking traffic regulations.
- By reviewing traffic surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and examining the police report, we can work to determine that another party was responsible for causing your accident.
- As a result of the collision that you did not cause, you have incurred losses. This can include medical costs, property damage, and other expenses.
It can be difficult to prove these elements on your own, especially if you do not have a working knowledge of Florida law. When you work with our personal injury law firm, you will be in the hands of professionals who are well-versed in legal precedents and regulations. Do not strain yourself by starting from square one to prove your case. When you work with us, the only thing you have to worry about is recovering from your injuries.
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Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today for Help
An accident with a school, public, or city bus can result in devastating injuries that leave you with ongoing medical treatments and bills. You and your family should not have to pay these expenses out-of-pocket.
A Pembroke Pines bus accident lawyer can help you file a comprehensive personal injury case for financial compensation. Get the assistance you need to hold the right party responsible for your collision. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC at 800-921-7227 to learn more about what we can do for you.
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