Bus Accidents

Bus accidents are some of the most devastating and dangerous forms of vehicular accidents that occur in Florida. Motor coaches like Greyhound, public transportation buses, school buses that transport children to class, and tour buses are common sights on Florida’s roadways. Unfortunately, each year, 63,000 bus accidents occur. Over 325 of these accidents result in deaths each year, and 14,000 result in injuries. Bus accidents are responsible for the highest risk of motor vehicle-related death. While inter-city and public transportation buses are 1.9 times more likely to crash than other types of buses, motor coaches and charter buses face the highest incidence of collisions caused by driver error.

Because buses are extremely large, even minor accidents can result in severe injuries, including extensive property damage, debilitating disabilities, and even death. If you were injured in a bus accident, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney with a history of successfully litigating civil negligence claims. Kaiser Romanello has provided support to South Florida clients for the past 30 combined years. Our personal injury lawyers can review your claims, gather evidence, explain your options, and counsel you on your best course of action. Kaiser Romanello provides representation throughout the state of Florida, including Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward Counties. To schedule a free consultation at our Parkland, Florida law firm, contact Kaiser Romanello now.

COMMON CAUSES OF BUS ACCIDENTS

Bus accidents can occur for the same reasons that other car accidents can occur. Common causes include:

• Poor weather conditions
• Poor lighting
• Narrow streets
• Dangerous twists and turns
• Mechanical issues
• Potholes
• Careless, negligent or reckless driving
• Speeding
• Failure to obey posted signs or traffic signals
• Aggressive driving
• Exhaustion
• Driving under the influence
• Flat tires
• Faulty brakes
• Texting while driving
• Distracted drivers

WHO IS LIABLE FOR A BUS ACCIDENT?

Responsibility for the accident depends on who is at fault for the accident. The responsible party may be:

• The bus driver
• The other driver
• The entity that owns the bus
• The manufacturer of the bus
• The city for failing to properly maintain the roadway

Buses are known as “common carriers.” Common carriers are modes of transportation that provide services directly to the public and are regulated by the government. Common carriers are required to provide advanced safety and protection to passengers, more so than regular cars. However, many buses completely lack typical safety equipment such as seat belts and airbags.

Florida law does require that buses be maintained properly in order to be operated with passengers on the road. This involves frequent inspections and timely repairs. If a bus has a dangerous defect or condition, such as faulty brakes, the bus cannot be taken out on the road until it is fixed. If the operator fails to heed this rule, it will be liable for any ensuing accident.

In addition, bus drivers are required to obtain special licenses that allow them to operate multi-axle, large vehicles. These licenses include special courses, training, and tests.

NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS

Most bus accident claims are premised on negligence. Negligence is the failure to exercise proper care, resulting in an accident. A bus driver owes a duty of care to other drivers on the road, as well as to passengers on the bus. This duty of care mandates that the driver follow traffic laws, adhere to posted signs and traffic lights, drive below the speed limit, and exercise caution while on the road. In addition, the bus operator, which could be a private company or a government entity, is required to maintain the bus in safe working condition, provide adequate safety equipment, and follow state and federal rules of regulations regarding bus travel. These rules and regulations include passing inspection, restricting the number of passengers and the weight of luggage, and screening drivers.

When the bus driver or the bus operator is negligent, the duty of care has been breached. This breach then caused or contributed to the accident. If a passenger suffers an injury due to this negligence, the passenger has a legal right under Florida law to seek relief, which is in the form of damages.

TYPES OF DAMAGES IN BUS ACCIDENTS

Damages in personal injuries cases are usually monetary damages. Victims of bus accidents can seek compensation for:

• Lost wages
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life
• Attorney’s fees and court costs

In addition, if the victim passes away, the survivors will have the legal right to seek reimbursement for medical costs and funeral expenses, as well as loss of companionship, emotional distress, and loss of financial support, through a wrongful death lawsuit.

COMPASSIONATE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS EAGER TO REPRESENT BUS ACCIDENT VICTIMS IN SOUTH FLORIDA

If you were injured in a bus accident, you may find yourself drowning in medical debt and struggling with pain and a long road to recovery. Kaiser Romanello has years of experience with assisting victims injured in catastrophic accidents with pursuing justice. Our skilled personal injury lawyers can assist you with reviewing the accident, gathering evidence, explaining your potential claims, and zealously advocating for your best interests. To schedule a free appointment at our Parkland, Florida office, contact Kaiser Romanello now.