All types of car accidents have the potential to be incredibly dangerous and to leave those involved suffering from serious injuries, but bus accidents often have much more severe consequences. This is because buses are very large and heavy vehicles, which means they have a greater impact and cause much more destruction when part of an accident. This often results in severe injuries and even fatalities.
Because of how life-changing the effects of a bus accident can be, it’s essential that you contact The Law Place as soon as possible if you or a loved one have been involved in a bus accident. If the collision was not your fault, then you could be entitled to financial compensation, which will cover the damages you’ve endured. While we know that financial compensation can’t fix the trauma you may be suffering from, it will help you manage the financial burdens you’ve been left with and serve as proof that justice has been served.
At The Law Place, our team of dedicated personal injury attorneys has over 75 years of collective experience in successfully helping clients secure the compensation that they deserve in St. Petersburg, Florida. Filing a personal injury claim can be somewhat difficult, especially if you never have before, and so we strongly advise you to get in touch with us. By hiring a bus accident attorney at The Law Place, you’ll be ensuring that a reputable law firm is on your side, which will give you a much better chance at securing the compensation you’re owed. We offer free case evaluations to anyone who wants to file a personal injury claim, so don’t delay – schedule your free consultation today.
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Types of Buses Involved in Accidents in Florida
Buses are a regular sight on the roads of St. Petersburg, and there are many different types that can be encountered by drivers daily. However, every type of bus has the potential to cause extreme destruction to regular vehicles and the people inside them.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the buses most commonly involved in bus accidents include the following:
- School bus – Accounted for 40% of buses involved in fatal crashes across the country from 2007 to 2017.
- Transit bus – Accounted for 35% of buses involved in fatal crashes across the country from 2007 to 2017.
- Intercity bus – Accounted for 13% of buses involved in fatal crashes across the country from 2007 to 2017.
Regardless of the type of bus that was involved in the bus accident that left you injured, you could be owed financial compensation. To discuss your case with an experienced bus accident lawyer, contact The Law Place today and arrange a completely free case evaluation.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents in St. Petersburg, FL.
Although bus drivers should have specialized training, they can still experience the same problems that often cause regular car accidents. Bus accidents are often caused by the following:
- Driver fatigue.
- Insufficient training.
- Aggressive or reckless driving.
- Distracted driving.
- Driving under the influence.
- Failure to yield.
- Poor weather and/or road conditions.
Despite this, bus drivers aren’t always the cause of a bus accident. Bus crashes may also occur because of the bus company. For example, if they don’t adequately maintain the vehicle or have unrealistic expectations of their drivers. The bus manufacturer may be at fault if they didn’t build the bus correctly or they used defective parts. Or even another negligent driver could be at fault, as well as many other possible causes.
The reason for the accident doesn’t matter too much – if the bus crash was caused by someone else’s negligence, then you could be entitled to compensation. If you have been involved in a bus accident in or near St. Petersburg, then you should contact The Law Place for the chance to speak to a skilled personal injury attorney. Our lawyers are highly experienced with Florida law, and so you can rely on their legal advice. So, for the best chance at securing the compensation that you deserve, contact us today and schedule a free consultation.
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What Injuries Are Commonly Sustained in a Florida Bus Accident?
Buses often dwarf most other vehicles that are on the road, and their much larger size makes them incredibly dangerous. If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a collision with any kind of bus, then there is a high possibility for extreme and severe destruction. Most bus accidents end unfavorably for the people inside the smaller vehicle, and victims are often left suffering from serious injuries, which sometimes prove to be fatal.
Some of the injuries most frequently sustained in bus accidents include the following:
- Burns, lacerations, cuts, bruises, and sprains.
- Neck injuries.
- Concussions.
- Seizures.
- Brain damage and head trauma.
- Separated joints.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Disfigurement.
- Dismemberment.
- Internal bleeding.
- Internal organ damage.
- Wrongful death.
If you have sustained any kind of injury, no matter how minor or major, in a bus accident that wasn’t your fault, then you should know that you can seek compensation. Our bus accident attorneys at The Law Place have the in-depth knowledge that’s required to fight for your rights and secure the compensation and justice that you deserve. So don’t hesitate – call our law firm today and book a free consultation!
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
Determining Who Is at Fault in a Florida Bus Accident
It’s not uncommon for numerous parties to be at fault for a bus accident. Before you file a lawsuit, you and your bus accident attorney will need to determine who is liable for the crash. If they don’t do this, then your case is unlikely to be successful in court. If you choose to work with The Law Place, our experienced and skilled lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case, gathering evidence and speaking to witnesses in order to establish what happened during the crash and who is at fault for your damages.
Listed below are the parties most likely to be held liable for a bus accident:
- The bus driver -An operator error may have caused the accident. For example, the driver may have been distracted or fatigued or just made a poor decision.
- The bus company – If the bus was poorly maintained by the bus company or they held their drivers to an unrealistic standard, then they could be liable for the accident.
- Bus passengers – If they were distracting the driver in any way, then bus passengers may be held liable for the bus crash. This usually happens when passengers are rowdy, behaving inappropriately, intoxicated, or attempting to speak to the driver while he’s driving.
- The bus manufacturer – If the bus was poorly built by the manufacturer, or they used defective parts, then the accident may have been their fault.
- Another reckless or negligent driver – There may have been a third driver involved in the accident who may have driven into your vehicle or the bus or caused the accident another way.
It can sometimes be difficult to determine who is at fault in auto accidents, which is why you need the help of an intelligent bus accident attorney. Our proficient team will be able to navigate and support you through the complicated legal process from start to finish, so schedule a free case evaluation with us today.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Issues You May Face in a Bus Accident Case
Cases are rarely simple to resolve, and bus accident claims are no different. In particular, it can be difficult to determine and prove liability, usually for the following reasons:
- The bus driver is usually not the liable party – Unless the bus driver is an independent contractor, the bus company is often liable for accidents caused by their drivers.
- The company’s financial losses may be significant – A bus accident claim often results in significant and substantial losses for the bus company involved, which means they, their insurance company, and their legal team will fight incredibly strongly to avoid paying you what you deserve.
Our St. Petersburg legal team has considerable experience in helping clients involved in bus accidents over many decades, and this has meant that our lawyers have become very familiar with the ways an insurer may attempt to avoid paying out. Because of this, our accident attorneys will be prepared for everything and will be able to counter the tactics they use, therefore protecting your chances at compensation.
Losses You May Be Able to Recover After a Florida Bus Accident
If you were a victim of a bus accident that wasn’t your fault, then The Law Place wants to help you secure the compensation and justice that you deserve. We know that you’re likely having to face added financial burdens, as well as the injuries and trauma caused, so call us today for help in managing these burdens.
The damages that The Law Place most often wins compensation for include:
- Medical bills – If you required medical attention for the injuries you sustained in the accident, then you should receive compensation to cover these expenses.
- Loss of wages – If you were unable to attend work for a period of time, then you may be entitled to compensation to cover the wages you lost.
- Lost earning capacity – If your injuries mean you can no longer work as many hours, or you need to take a lower-paying job or even completely retire, then you deserve compensation.
- Pain and suffering – If you’re experiencing emotional trauma because of the accident, then you could be owed compensation.
- Property damage – If your vehicle was damaged in the crash, then the costs for the repairs or replacement should be covered.
- Wrongful death – If you lost a loved one in the bus accident, then you deserve compensation to cover funeral costs and loss of consortium.
If you or a loved one were involved in a bus accident because of someone else’s negligence, then you shouldn’t have to bear the consequences alone. While compensation can’t heal your injuries or trauma, it can help you manage the financial burdens and serve as proof that some justice has been served, which can comfort you in your recovery. So to receive legal advice and support, contact The Law Place today and schedule a free consultation.
Florida’s Comparative Negligence Laws
In Florida, the legal system works within a comparative fault system, which can be found under Florida Statute 768.81. The law means that more than one party can be at fault for a bus accident, including the victims. However, as long as you are found to be less than 50% at fault, then you’ll still be able to file a claim, although your settlement will be reduced by the same percentage.
For example, if you were speeding at the time of the accident, then you could be judged to be 20% at blame. Whilst this would still allow you to file a lawsuit, your final settlement would be reduced by 20%.
The defendant’s insurance companies will try their best to limit the amount of compensation they pay you by arguing that you were largely at fault. Because of this, we highly recommend that you hire a bus accident lawyer to ensure that you’re not taken advantage of. To win as much compensation as possible, contact The Law Place today and arrange a free case evaluation.
How Much Will My Accident Lawyer Cost?
Many people are wrongly under the impression that worthwhile legal representation is expensive, making them reluctant to hire a personal injury attorney, especially if they’re already struggling with unexpected financial burdens from the accident.
However, if you choose to work with our team at The Law Place, then you have nothing to fear. Our personal injury lawyers work on a no-win-no-fee basis, meaning that you will not have to pay us anything if your case is unsuccessful. Even if your claim is successful, you won’t have to pay us a single cent out of your own pocket – instead, we’ll merely subtract our legal fees from the final settlement we secure for you.
And as all our work is monitored by The State Bar Association, you don’t have to worry about any extra costs – all our legal fees are transparent!
When Should You Contact a St. Petersburg Car Accident Lawyer?
Under Florida Statute 95.11, the State of Florida has a statute of limitations, which means that personal injury victims have only four years after the date of the accident to file a lawsuit and seek compensation. After this time, if you attempt to file a claim, your case will be immediately dismissed, regardless of how severe the consequences of the accident may have been, which will ultimately prevent you from receiving the compensation that you may deserve.
Because of this, if you’ve been involved in a bus accident that wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t hesitate to file a claim. The sooner you contact The Law Place, the more time our team of bus accident lawyers will have to investigate your case, gather relevant evidence, and build an aggressive and strong argument. This will give you a much higher chance of winning the compensation and justice that you deserve.
Once you’ve begun working with our law firm, we’ll deal with the complex legal system and insurance companies for you so that you can focus on healing and recovering from the bus accident. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to all prospective clients, so don’t hesitate to call us today to schedule yours!
What Will The Law Place Do for Me?
The Law Place offers free consultations to anyone who has been involved in an accident that wasn’t their fault and believes they’re entitled to compensation. During this free consultation, you’ll be able to sit down with one of our experienced bus accident attorneys and discuss your specific case in detail. Our lawyers will explain the legal options available to you and roughly estimate how much compensation you could be owed.
After this no-obligation consultation, you can choose whether to continue working with our law firm or not. If you choose to do so, we’ll arrange a second meeting with you, where we’ll discuss the case with you much more in-depth. Our team will then take charge of your case and focus on investigating the accident. They’ll gather evidence, interview eyewitnesses, and communicate with all the involved parties. As we will take on the bulk of the work, you’ll be able to focus on healing, knowing that professionals are dealing with your case on your behalf.
So don’t delay! Give yourself the best chance at receiving the compensation and justice that you deserve by arranging a free case evaluation with The Law Place!
Contact The Law Place, St. Petersburg, FL.
At The Law Place, we take every personal injury case very seriously and will be determined to win your case on your behalf. You can trust that we’ll fight for everything you deserve, and with our years of experience and in-depth knowledge, working with us will be your best chance at securing justice.
So if you or a loved one have been injured in a bus accident in St. Petersburg or elsewhere in Florida, then you should contact The Law Place today to speak to a skillful personal injury lawyer.
Our phone lines are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so don’t hesitate! Get in touch with us now and schedule a completely free consultation.
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