Because of its size and weight, a bus can cause catastrophic injuries if it is involved in a collision with a car, truck, motorcycle, or pedestrian. Victims who are in other vehicles or traveling on foot may suffer head trauma, back and neck injuries, broken bones, severe cuts, lost limbs, paralysis, and even death. Passengers who are riding in a bus at the time of an accident may also be seriously injured since buses typically do not have seatbelts and airbags to protect riders.
If you were hurt in a collision involving a bus, a Tallahassee bus accident lawyer may be able to help you seek financial compensation. Ben Crump Law, PLLC represents clients who suffered harm because of the negligence of others. We may be able to help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for the collision. Contact us today at 800-959-1444.
How To Seek Compensation if the Bus Driver Was Liable for the Accident
Buses classify as entities that provide transportation services to the public. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has created a series of rules that are designed to keep vehicle operators and the general public safe.
Bus drivers are expected to use the utmost care to prevent accidents. Sometimes, however, they fail to meet that high standard. A bus driver may travel too fast, cut off another driver, operate a vehicle while distracted by a cellphone, work while tired or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or behave in other ways that may put others in danger.
In those circumstances, the bus driver’s employer can be held liable for a resulting accident and injuries. The employer may also be liable for a collision if it hired an unqualified driver or did not provide appropriate training to its employees.
You may be able to seek financial compensation for your injuries from the bus driver’s employer. The procedure depends on the type of employer involved. If the bus is owned by a private company, you may file a personal injury lawsuit.
If the bus is owned and operated by a government body, such as a city government or a school district, you may be able to pursue a financial award.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Tallahassee, call 800-921-7227
How to Seek Justice if Another Driver Caused the Collision
Our investigation may reveal that another driver was liable for the accident. A person behind the wheel of a car may have failed to yield the right of way to the bus, or the driver of a car may have run a red light and collided with the bus. A distracted driver may have swerved into the lane where the bus was traveling. The bus driver may have quickly turned the wheel to avoid striking the car, and the bus may have instead hit another object or rolled over. In that case, you may be able to sue the driver of the car.
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How To Pursue a Financial Award if the Accident Was a Result of a Mechanical Failure
Under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations, common carriers are required to regularly inspect, maintain, and repair their vehicles to protect drivers, passengers, and members of the public. If the bus operator failed to properly care for a vehicle and that led to the collision, the bus operator can be found negligent. If the bus owner relied on a separate company to handle maintenance and repairs, that company may be found liable if it did not detect and repair a problem.
A company that manufactured the bus or a part in it may be liable for the collision. A manufacturing defect in the bus may have caused a critical component, such as the brakes, to fail. We may discover that a part used in a previous repair was defective and that the defect was responsible for the accident. In that case, we may file a personal injury lawsuit against the part manufacturer.
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How Florida’s No-Fault Law May Affect Your Case
Florida is a no-fault state. That means that a person who is injured in an accident while driving or riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle must seek compensation from the driver’s personal injury protection coverage (PIP). If you were traveling in a car and you were involved in a collision with a bus, you may be able to pursue additional compensation if you were seriously injured, though.
PIP can cover medical costs and lost income, but not pain and suffering. A personal injury lawsuit can allow you to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
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You Have a Limited Amount of Time To Act
The statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit against a private company or an individual is four years, according to Florida Statute Section 95.11. If you were hurt by a government-owned bus, the deadline may be even shorter.
Investigating a bus accident and figuring out what happened can be a complicated process. A Tallahassee bus accident lawyer can examine the bus driver’s actions leading up to the crash, in addition to the actions of other drivers. We can interview witnesses and review the bus owner’s maintenance and repair records. That may take several months or longer.
Once we have filed a notice of claim, it may take several months or more to resolve the case. If your claim against a government agency is denied, we may then have to work on filing a personal injury lawsuit. The sooner you get in touch, the sooner we may be able to get to work to make sure that we meet all relevant deadlines.
Consider a Tallahassee Bus Accident Lawyer
You should not let concerns about legal fees stop you from seeking justice. Ben Crump Law, PLLC works on a contingency basis. We do not charge our clients any fees upfront. We only get paid if we succeed in obtaining compensation on behalf of clients for their personal injuries. Call our office today at 800-959-1444 to discuss your case with a member of our staff.
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