Suing After a Florida Bus Accident

Public buses provide the public with a necessary form of convenient transportation throughout many cities in Florida. While buses must undergo safety inspections and drivers must complete safety training, these vehicles are often involved in serious accidents. Filing a lawsuit against a city bus in Florida can present challenges to injury victims and their families. The state maintains specific laws that apply to lawsuits against public and governmental entities. An experienced Florida personal injury attorney can help accident survivors and their family members understand their rights to financial recovery.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) compiles statistics regarding the rate of bus accidents in the state. According to their most recent reports, every year, nearly 63,000 accidents involve buses. Approximately 13% of fatal bus accidents involve intercity buses, 40% involve school buses, and 35% involve transit buses. For instance, local news sources reported that a Volusia County, Florida County employee suffered fatal injuries in an accident between a Voltran bus and a County pickup truck. Officials explained that the victim was driving a county vehicle when he hit the bus. The Highway Patrol stated that a preliminary investigation revealed that the bus was preparing to let passengers off the bus moments before the collision. In addition to the County driver, 14 of the 15 passengers aboard the bus were taken to local hospitals for injuries.

FMSCA reports that the leading causes of bus accidents involve:

  • Distracted drivers
  • Speeding
  • Driver error
  • Defective bus equipment
  • Poor road conditions

Several contributing factors make these accidents more likely to result in serious injuries. Some reasons include:

  • The failure to provide passenger seatbelts
  • Failure to secure passengers’ possessions

After a bus accident or accident involving a governmental employee, victims maintain certain rights and remedies. If the accident involved another driver’s negligence, the victims may file a lawsuit against the driver that caused the accident. Cases where the bus driver was at fault, can present more challenges to victims and passengers. In these situations, victims must abide by strict procedural and notice requirements. However, the specific requirements vary by city, and it is essential that victims contact an attorney to ensure that their claim receives appropriate review. In some cases, bus accident lawsuits may be resolved during settlement negotiations. However, an attorney is a critical asset in ensuring that an accident victim recovers the appropriate amount of compensation.

Have You Suffered Injuries in a Florida Bus Accident

If you or someone you know suffered serious injuries or died in a Florida bus accident, contact the attorneys at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada to discuss your claims for recovery. The attorneys at our office have extensive experience handling complex Florida personal injury claims. We handle Florida accident claims involving construction accidents, dangerous products, medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, workers’ compensation, and more. Over our nearly 45 years of experience, we have secured significant verdicts and settlements on behalf of our Florida clients. To learn more about the services we provide, contact our office at 877-448-8585 to schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney on our team.

 

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