Many residents and tourists in Florida use buses for transportation, whether for daily commutes or other purposes. While they are a safe way to travel, passengers do sometimes suffer injuries in accidents, and you may have cause for legal action if negligence was involved.
State personal injury laws protect you by allowing you to pursue payment from the at-fault party if the carelessness of another person or business causes you harm. Contact Rue & Ziffra to schedule a free case review with a knowledgeable Port Orange bus accident lawyer to review your case and options. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys are ready to help you pursue the compensation you need to recover.
Financial responsibility for bus crashes generally falls on the company that owns them or the operator, depending on the circumstances. The vehicle and parts manufacturer or a third-party driver could also share liability. Florida follows a no-fault auto insurance framework, and that means you contact your provider first to collect a payout under Personal Injury Protection (PIP).
It covers your medical care, including all expenses related to the event, and lost wages up to $10,000 for most policies, unless you choose to carry additional coverage. State personal injury laws allow you to pursue additional compensation from the at-fault party for both economic and non-economic damages. The court determines liability by negligence, and the person who caused the incident, or their insurer, pays the damages.
The common causes of bus collisions include the following:
Most commercial, transit, charter, and school bus accidents occur due to human error. Studies on causation conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration concluded that they usually involved mistakes by bus drivers, other motorists, pedestrians, or bicyclists. Our Port Orange bus collision attorney can investigate to determine fault and help you build a powerful case to reach the best potential outcome.
The type of bus you were on affects the rules and process. Private commercial transportation companies, such as tour buses, charters, and Greyhound, are common carriers and have a heightened responsibility to passengers, known as the duty of care. There is also a requirement for companies operating within the industry to carry substantial liability insurance, including at least $100,000 per person for bodily injury and a minimum of $300,000 per accident.
Public transit buses, operated by government entities, waive sovereign immunity if you prove negligence led to the collision. There are damage caps on claims and strict procedural requirements, such as providing written notice to the agency before filing suit.
In most cases, there is a two-year filing deadline for claims against private commercial agencies. While you could qualify for an extension, preparing the claim and filing promptly is in your best interest.
The statute of limitations for suits against government agencies is three years, but the additional notification to them must be completed before taking legal action. Our bus crash lawyer in Port Orange can handle the legal work and filings to ensure compliance with applicable rules and statutes.
Public transportation is a safe and cost-effective way to get to work every day. However, there is always the chance that collisions may occur, and when negligence leads to preventable crashes, you may seek a settlement from the liable party.
Call Rue & Ziffra to schedule a free case review with a Port Orange bus accident lawyer. Reach out to our dedicated local injury lawyers today.
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