Buses are an ever-present sight on the roads and streets around Pinellas County. Many people rely on this mode of transportation for everything from their commutes to work to their grocery shopping. If you were hurt in a crash involving one of these vehicles, our bus accident attorneys in St. Petersburg can help you navigate the claims process.
Bus drivers and their operating companies have a duty to care for all their passengers. If a passenger is injured due to negligence by a bus driver or operating company, that passenger has the right to seek representation from a personal injury attorney and demand compensation. Our bus accident lawyers can work with you to investigate what led to your accident, compile evidence, and pursue the settlement you deserve.
Most car accident cases are straightforward when it comes to fault, since the only two parties involved are the at-fault driver and the injured plaintiff. However, when an individual is injured in an accident with a bus, identifying the defendants can become more complicated.
Our St. Petersburg Bus Accident Attorneys Can Determine If the Bus Company Was Liable
The simplest cases result when a bus is operated by a private busing company. In these scenarios, the company is sometimes directly responsible for the actions of their employees. As a result, our attorneys may be able to help you bring a claim against the private bus company as well as the driver and any other co-defendants. These claims can often be settled through an insurance policy.
Plaintiffs should be aware, however, that there is a strict time limit on when they can bring these cases to court. A law known as the statute of limitations controls when a Florida court will hear a case. According to Florida Statutes §95.11, plaintiffs have only four years from the date of injury to act.
Are Public Entities Treated Differently as a Defendant?
More complicated scenarios arise when a bus is owned and operated by a city or town. Historically, the government could not be sued for personal injuries through the concept of sovereign immunity.
However, more modern laws allow citizens to sue for their injuries using each government body’s own claims system. Every town and city has their own system, and a St. Petersburg bus accident attorney could help clients identify the method necessary to collect compensation.
Common Damages in Bus Accidents
Buses are massive vehicles. As a result, they move with a lot of momentum and exert intense forces when they collide with other vehicles. This can result in devastating injuries for the people inside smaller cars.
In addition, passengers on the bus itself may be injured as well. The duty to protect extends to these people as well and as a result, so they also have the right to demand compensation for their injuries.
These drivers and passengers may suffer a myriad of severe physical injuries that can include:
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Separated joints
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head trauma
In addition to any physical injury, plaintiffs can also claim damages for any lost income or emotional trauma. A bus accident lawyer in St. Petersburg could work with potential clients to inform them of the true value of their case and push for maximum compensation.
Get Help from a Bus Accident Lawyer Today
Our St. Petersburg bus accident lawyers can help you gather evidence of fault and build the strongest claim possible. Whether you were hurt by a city bus or a private bus, you may have the right to seek compensation. Call today for a free case review.
