Buses and mass transit offer efficient forms of transportation for students, business people, and the general public throughout Florida. While buses and mass transit are generally safe methods of transportation, accidents and injuries can still occur. When bus and mass transit accidents do happen, the injuries suffered by victims can be serious.
Bus and mass transit injuries can be the result of crashes with other vehicles, impacts with pedestrians, collisions with stationary objects, and rollovers. Injuries can also occur as a result of passengers being thrown their seat, being struck by loose or flying items, or caused by altercations with other passengers.
At the Law Office of Heidi A. Hillyer, P.A. we represent people have been injured in bus and mass transit accidents. Whether you are injured as a passenger, pedestrian, or hit by a negligent bus driver, our experienced Florida bus and mass transit accident attorney can help determine who is at fault so you can get the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Bus and Mass Transit Accidents
- Driver negligence for failure to maintain proper speed, following vehicles too closely, or distracted driving.
- Lack of experience and proper training in operating a bus.
- Driver fatigue caused by heavy schedules and driving long hours.
- Lack of proper vehicle maintenance.
- Lack of safety restraint systems, insufficient lighting, and lack of proper security.
Determining Fault in a Bus or Mass Transit Accident
Florida is a no-fault state, so determining fault in an accident normally does not affect whose insurance will initially pay for your injuries and damages. Your personal injury benefits through your own insurance may pay for your medical expenses and lost wages up to $10,000. However, if you do not own an automobile or if you are not covered under a spouse’s or family member’s personal injury insurance policy, or if your injuries are severe and permanent in nature, a lawsuit may be necessary in order to seek compensation for any unreimbursed damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Multiple parties may be responsible for bus and mass transit accidents and may be held potentially liable, including:
- The bus driver.
- The bus driver’s employer.
- Passengers or other drivers involved in the accident.
- The bus or mass transit vehicle manufacturer.
- The county or municipality.
- Entities responsible for roadway construction and maintenance.
Contact a Bus and Mass Transit Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one have been injured in a bus or mass transit accident, you need an experienced attorney on your side. The Law Office of Heidi A. Hillyer, P.A. has represented the injured in bus accidents in Florida. Call our office today for a free consultation or request a free case evaluation online.