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Bus accidents are traumatizing for all parties involved. You do not have to let financial stress add to your trauma after an accident occurs, though. Instead, you can seek legal representation and work with a St. Petersburg bus accident lawyer to calculate your potential financial awards. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (800) 921-7227, to schedule a free consultation today.
Who Is Liable in a Bus Accident?
A bus accident can put many people on the road at risk, including you and your passengers to the pedestrians on the side of the road. Understanding liability in these situations can be complex, especially given Florida Statutes § 324.021, which addresses Florida’s full liability insurance coverage laws.
In Florida, drivers who do not operate commercial vehicles are responsible for their losses in the face of an accident unless another driver proves to be more accountable for the accident by a significant percentage. When an accident involves a commercial vehicle or a vehicle operated by the government, like a public bus, matters become more complex.
A St. Petersburg bus accident lawyer can help you break down liability based on the severity of the accident and the parties involved. Malfunctioning vehicles, road conditions, and other factors could contribute to the designation of liability, but determining this will require examining the scene of the accident and the accident as it occurred for evidence. An attorney can help in this task.
You will need to establish liability, however, if you want to file a complaint about the accident with a local court justice. You also will have a limited time to do, as Florida Statutes § 95.11 says.
These statutes note that different accidents get different statutes of limitations, meaning that the time you have to file specific complaints will vary based on who you want to hold liable for your accident and what kind of damage with which you must contend.
For example, a person has four years to file a personal injury complaint from the day an accident happens, as can complaints detailing product liability. Complaints involving a government entity–for example, an institution that owns and operates the public buses in St. Petersburg–can file within three years. Victims of accidents involving wrongful death have two years to file.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving St.Petersburg, call (800) 921-7227
Working with a St. Petersburg Bus Accident Lawyer
How, then, do you start formulating a complaint against a bus driver or affiliated company? A St. Petersburg bus accident lawyer can help you find your footing. The team with Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can walk you through even the most challenging of cases. We can gather evidence to support your claim and help you understand the financial awards to which you may be entitled.
As you start work on your case, you will first want to determine why the bus accident you were involved in took place. This means understanding what caused the bus driver or other liable party to put your life, the lives of your passengers, and those of any other parties present in danger.
The most common causes for bus accidents in the St. Petersburg, Florida, area include:
- Distracted driving on the part of the bus driver or another driver
- Fatigue
- Improper turning
- Improper signaling
- Rollovers
- Equipment malfunctions on the bus or within other cars
- Operator error
With the cause of the accident determined, you can also work with a St. Petersburg bus accident lawyer to gather evidence from your accident, including police reports and eyewitness accounts of what happened.
Finally, when submitting your complaint, you will need to calculate and show the work you did to determine the compensation that you are seeking. Your avenues for compensation after a bus accident can include:
- Medical costs for treatments you need for recovery from the accident
- Physical therapy or psychological counseling
- Ongoing costs of future treatments you will need to restore your previous quality of life
- Lost wages
- Lost job opportunities
- Wrongful death
- Funeral costs
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today to discuss the circumstances of your bus accident and any recoverable losses you incurred due to the accident. Our legal team can schedule a free, no-obligation review with you today.
Taking Settlement Discussions Out of the Courtroom
Often, accidents involving a bus will leave you facing not the bus driver or other parties involved but rather the bus’ parent company. These companies often have legal teams at the ready to deal with accidents that result in injuries or wrongful death. As such, you might find yourself considering a proposed settlement offer for your injuries.
While a settlement can promise to meet your needs, you can still wait before accepting it. While you do not need an attorney to review a settlement offer, hiring one to look over an insurer’s offer can help you determine if it adequately meets your needs.
If it does not, an attorney can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to reach a fair settlement. If one is unreachable, your lawyer could move to file a lawsuit in court to seek fair compensation from the insurer. Usually, these matters settle out of court. Still, your lawyer can advise you on a course of action that works in your case.
St.Petersburg Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me (800) 921-7227
A St. Petersburg Bus Accident Lawyer Can Discuss Your Case with You
Recovering from a bus accident can be financially draining, but pursuing legal action against the liable parties involved does not have to be. Ben Crump Law, PLLC, operates on contingency, which means will not have to pay any fees upfront. We collect payment only if we win a settlement for you.
You do not have to take on the legal challenge of a bus accident alone. We understand it can be overwhelming and stressful. While you do not have to hire legal representation, you can make the process more manageable when you work with a St. Petersburg bus accident lawyer through Ben Crump Law, PLLC. This will allow you more time to focus on your health and well-being.
We do not shy from tough cases, and we fight for the financial awards you deserve. Schedule your free consultation with us today at (800) 921-7227.
Call or text (800) 921-7227 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form