Bus accidents occur often. After all, buses are on the roads every single day, traveling throughout the city. This means that there is an increase in risk when you are riding a bus. You are also at risk when you are driving on roads that buses may frequent.
Considering that bus companies and drivers must safely transport a group of people, you may qualify to recover compensation if you can prove negligence led to the accident. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC at 800-921-7227 to discuss your bus accident case. A Sunrise bus accident lawyer can help.
Bus Accident Categories
Bus accidents typically involve one of three types of buses, including:
Commercial Buses
Commercial buses refer to intercity buses. These transit services take passengers a relatively long distance and make several stops during the trip. A commercial bus will typically have a set starting point with a particular destination. The range may extend from one city to another or from state to state.
Transit Buses
Transit buses or public buses refer to the buses that you see throughout your town each day. These buses make several stops, sometimes on the same road. Motorists sometimes attempt to get around the bus by cutting it off or weaving in front of it, which can cause accidents. Sometimes, the bus driver may fail to leave enough room between the coach and the car in front of it and create a rear-end accident.
School Buses
School buses carry children and put them at risk every day. Accidents can occur when children are injured stepping in or out of the large vehicle, or when other motorists or pedestrians are involved and they are harmed due to the bus driver’s negligence.
If you or someone you love experienced any bus accident, contact the Sunrise bus accident lawyers at Ben Crump Law, PLLC at 800-921-7227. Call for a free phone consultation to get answers to any questions that you may have.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Sunrise, call 800-921-7227
Injuries Following a Bus Accident
Some of the compensation you may recover for injuries caused by a bus accident may include:
- Compensation for lost wages.
- Medical costs.
- Pain and suffering.
- Property damage.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Loss of companionship.
- Ongoing care costs.
Hiring a Sunrise bus accident lawyer may help you seek fair compensation for losses listed here as well as others that may apply.
Sunrise Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-921-7227
Determining Fault in a Sunrise Bus Accident
As with any accident, determining fault can be tricky. The police officers who arrive at the scene of the accident may try to recreate the scene and determine the cause of the accident. A bus accident may result from driver negligence or a mechanical malfunction or failure.
Bus Driver Negligence
At times, a bus driver may bear fault for the accident. If the driver of the bus gets distracted and has to make a sudden move to avoid a crash, they can lose control of the bus. Bus drivers may contribute to an accident if they talk on the phone or fail to pay attention to the road to ensure the safety of the people who are riding on their bus.
Car Driver Negligence
Bus accidents may also occur because a driver of another vehicle acted negligently.
On highways, drivers may recklessly change lanes so that they can quickly get to their exit. Some motorists cut off other drivers so they can reach their destination faster. These types of maneuvers put bus passengers in danger as the bus driver may lose control and possibly roll over because of the higher center of gravity of the bus.
Mechanical Malfunction or Failure
The companies and the owners of buses have legal obligations to maintain the bus and to make sure that they receive service regularly, according to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The law requires these checkups to help avoid bus accidents. Malfunctions with the brakes or the steering may still occur, though. If the bus company cannot show that it maintained the bus properly, they may shoulder the burden of responsibility for the accident.
Bus Regulations in Florida
A bus weighs more and sits higher from the ground than a standard vehicle does. This makes them harder to maneuver, especially if road conditions worsen. Both federal and state governments implemented regulations to protect the passengers on the bus as well as other motorists.
Florida requires a valid commercial license for anyone who gets behind the wheel of a bus. Regulations also set the hours a driver may work before they take a break to rest, and drivers must also submit to randomized and regular drug screenings.
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Compensation After a Sunrise Bus Accident
When seeking compensation after a Sunrise bus accident, you must show the defendant acted negligently.
When it comes to accidents, proof of negligence can often be tricky. In the case of a bus accident, you must show that the bus driver was responsible for your safety. You must then prove that the driver of the bus or the other vehicle did not act with your safety in mind. Finally, you will need to be able to show that the actions of the drivers resulted in you being injured.
For example, when driving in inclement weather, a bus driver should drive carefully and slowly. If the driver speeds through the pouring rain and the bus goes off of the road, you may qualify for a financial award should you sustain any injuries as a result of the bus going off the path.
If a driver of a car is texting while they are behind the wheel and this causes them to swerve and hit the bus you are riding on, the driver of the vehicle may be found at fault for the accident. If you have injuries as a result of the accident, you may be eligible for compensation from the at-fault driver.
If the accident is equally the fault of the bus driver and the driver of the other vehicle, you may be able to file claims against both parties.
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Seek a Sunrise Bus Accident Lawyer with Ben Crump Law, PLLC
If you suffered injuries during a bus accident, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC at 800-921-7227 to discuss your case in a free phone consultation.
Call or text 800-921-7227 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
