Getting into a bus accident can leave you in a financial and physical quagmire. It can be costly to make repairs to a damaged vehicle and deal with medical bills. You don’t have to be alone through the legal process, however. Our St. Petersburg bus accident lawyers are available to help you navigate your case.
At Dolman Law Group, we have experience with state and federal motor carrier laws. We also understand the many hardships that bus accidents cause. As a result, we aim to help you get fair compensation to help you get back to your everyday life.
You Could Seek Compensation for Your Damages After a Bus Accident
Our St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys understand the many consequences you may face after a bus accident. Whether you were injured as a passenger in a bus or as a vehicle driver in a crash with a bus, you could seek compensation for damages such as:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful death damages, if you lost a loved one to a bus accident
Other damages may be available beyond those listed here. Our attorneys can help you identify all sources of losses that you qualify to recover.
Who Is Liable in a Florida Bus Accident?
It is not uncommon for multiple parties to be liable in a bus accident. Your lawyer will analyze the details of your accident to determine how the bus driver or another party was negligent. Then, they will determine who is legally liable for the negligence that caused the crash.
Your bus accident lawyer will also gather evidence to help with the case. This includes speaking to witnesses to establish the cause of the crash and the party liable for your damages. The following are a few of the possible responsible parties:
- The bus company: If the bus company failed to maintain the bus properly or held the driver to an unrealistic standard, they may share blame for the bus accident.
- The bus driver: The operator could be responsible for the accident. For example, they might have been driving while on the phone or intoxicated.
- Bus passengers: Sometimes, bus passengers might be held liable for the accident if they distracted the bus driver. This could be the case when passengers are rowdy, intoxicated, misbehaving, or trying to speak to the driver while driving.
- Another negligent driver: There might have been a third driver in the accident who may have driven into your vehicle or caused the accident.
- The bus manufacturer: If a technical failure causes the accident, the bus company may be held liable for using defective parts or failing to service the bus in a timely fashion.
A bus accident may get complicated if a town or city is responsible for the bus in question. This is another reason why you may want to have a bus accident lawyer from our team on your side, as we can handle these complications for you.
Is There a Deadline to File My Lawsuit in St. Petersburg?
It is important to note that there is a strict deadline for bus accident victims to file an injury claim. According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, victims have up to four years after the date of the accident to file for compensation.
To ensure you meet the deadline, contact Dolman Law Group as soon as possible after the accident to begin the investigation and legal proceedings.
Types of Bus Accidents that May Cause Your Injuries in Florida
The following types of buses may cause or be involved in accidents:
- School bus
- Intercity bus
- Touring bus
You may have been hurt in an accident involving a bus beyond those listed above. Regardless of the type of bus involved in your accident, you may still deserve compensation for any injuries and damages.
Forms of Negligence that May Lead to a Bus Accident in St. Petersburg
Although bus drivers are supposed to go through specialized training, they can still experience problems that lead to bus accidents. These are some negligent causes of bus accidents:
- Insufficient training
- Driver fatigue
- Driving under the influence
- Driving while distracted
- Reckless driving
- Poor road maintenance
Bus drivers aren’t always the parties liable for the above forms of negligence, however.
For example, the bus company might be responsible for failing to maintain the vehicles adequately. They could also be responsible for using defective parts. However, as long as negligence caused the accident, you may be entitled to a settlement.
What Are Common Injuries Sustained in St. Petersburg Bus Accidents?
Bus accidents can be gruesome and cause life-altering injuries to the people involved. Some of these injuries include:
- Neck injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Lacerations, burns, cuts, sprains, and bruises
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head trauma
- Brain damage
- Internal bleeding
- Amputation
- Wrongful death
While the list above describes some of the most common injuries, it doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of the damages that could result from a bus accident. Some of the most overlooked effects of bus accidents include PTSD and other mental health effects, which could be lifelong.
If you’ve sustained any kind of injury in a bus accident that wasn’t your fault, it may be your legal right to seek compensation from the liable party.
Get a Free Case Review From Dolman Law Group
Filing an injury claim after a bus accident can be a long and expensive process. As a result, Dolman Law Group will provide you with a free consultation and case review to guide you on how to go about your specific bus accident.
Call us today at (727) 472-3909 to learn how our St. Petersburg bus accident lawyers can help. Let us help to get you back to your normal life.
St Petersburg Office
1663 1st Ave S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Phone: (727) 472-3909