South Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
Tour companies frequently utilize buses, trolleys, and bikes to attract customers to their guided tours. While tour buses and trolleys are a great way to see interesting sights and attractions throughout South Florida, they are often more susceptible to accidents and serious injuries. Florida tour buses often make frequent stops to show passengers specific sites. These stops can cause other drivers to make sudden stops or try to pass the tour bus. Moreover, many tour buses and trolleys do not have safety belts or require their passengers to use them. This can lead to more severe injuries and even death. Those who suffer injuries after riding on a Florida tour bus or trolley should contact an attorney to discuss their rights and remedies.
In some cases, tour bus accidents are unavoidable; however, they usually involve some element of negligence. After an accident, the company, the driver, or another entity may be liable to the injury victims. The law does not impose liability on a tour bus company for the mere fact that a passenger suffered injuries. Instead, recovering compensation requires the victim to prove that the company failed to take sufficient steps to protect their customers.
Courts will look to whether the tour bus company took reasonable measures to ensure the safety of their passengers. This includes evaluating whether the company inspected the vehicle, made repairs, trained their drivers, and followed traffic rules. Companies that shirk their responsibility may be held liable for any accidents and ensuing injuries.
The most common causes of a tour bus and trolley accidents involve:
- Unsafe traffic movements
- Inexperienced drivers
- Distracted drivers
- Fatigued drivers
- Overcrowding
- Poor bus maintenance or
- Defective safety equipment
For instance, news reports recently described a St. Augustine trolley bus accident. According to reports, a Florida trolley overturned while trying to make a turn at an intersection. Emergency responders explained that one passenger was flown to a hospital, and 11 others received treatment at a local hospital. Investigators explained that these vehicles tend to drive slowly, and it is unclear what caused the accident.
In cases such as the one above, pursuing litigation can pose many challenges to accident victims and their families. An attorney can assist victims in gathering the requisite evidence and presenting it in a compelling and legally factual manner. Establishing liability is a critical part of these claims, and it is important that plaintiffs retain an experienced attorney.
Have You Suffered Injuries in a Florida Tour Bus Accident?
If you or someone you love has suffered serious injuries or died in a Florida bus accident, contact the injury lawyers at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada. The South Florida injury attorneys at our office have extensive experience successfully representing clients in their claims for damages. In addition to Florida motor vehicle accidents, the lawyers at our office handle premises liability claims, defective product lawsuits, nursing home negligence and abuse cases, and wrongful death claims. Contact our office at 877-448-8585 to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced attorney at our firm.