Fort Lauderdale Bus Accident Lawyer

Most Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Fort Lauderdale

With Broward County transit, most bus accidents occur due to a driving mistake by the bus driver, mechanical issues, or from another vehicle on the road. Bus drivers involved in these accidents may be distracted as well. Passengers, road conditions, or even unfamiliar roadways are also among the distractions the drivers of buses face. This is also true for school buses and private bus companies.

Unfortunately, the bus driver may also be impaired due to fatigue or from driving under the influence. Bus operators are supposed to provide proper training for bus drivers. Without enough training on how to drive a vehicle of this size loaded with many passengers, it can have devastating consequences.

Another area of concern is when bus operators in Broward County neglect to properly maintain the buses. Shoddy maintenance and worn out parts can lead to brake or steering failures. Worn tires may also result in a bus crash. Buses undergo such heavy usage and are supposed to be maintained at regular intervals to prevent tragedy from occurring.

Bus drivers and bus operators have a duty to uphold to all passengers they transport daily. From the city bus to the school bus and those private bus companies, even when there are properly trained employees and well-maintained buses other factors such as bad weather, hazardous roadways, and other negligent drivers on the road may result in accidents.

If you were in a bus accident, you need a Fort Lauderdale bus accident lawyer that will deeply investigate to find out who is liable. Tucker Law will review the maintenance records, repair records, and hiring practices of the bus company and stand up on your behalf to get the fair compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Bus accidents are more complex due to the nature of all the involved parties and injuries. With a Fort Lauderdale bus accident lawyer, you will have someone to retain an accident reconstruction specialist to show who is responsible for compensating you for your injuries and financial losses.

Bus Accident Statistics

While it’s true that bus accidents are less common than car accidents nationwide, they tend to occur more frequently in metropolitan areas like Fort Lauderdale. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), recent years have trended toward higher numbers of injuries and fatalities.

However, some of the statistics may make it more difficult to decipher the precise numbers because bus accident injuries are combined with statistics for large motor vehicles and trucks.

What the data does reflect is there is an uptick in the number of bus crashes. The FMCSA reported that the number of buses registered across the country went up by 36% in the 10-year span between 1999 and 2019, from 728,777 to 992,152.

The graph below reveals the number of bus accidents increased in 2017 with 14,000 resulting in injuries while 53,000 bus crashes only had property damage.

There is no mention of whether these suffered injuries are serious in nature. Due to being combined with truck crash data in the same time period, it’s hard to pinpoint which fatalities were associated with bus accidents or large trucks.

In 2019, the FMCSA recorded that this group of bus accidents and large truck accidents were involved in 5,237 fatal crashes, increasing 2% from the previous year. Fatal collisions involving buses and large trucks climbed 47% between 2009 and 2019.

One thing these statistics show us is that bus accident injuries are on the rise. If you or a loved one were injured in a bus accident, contact a Fort Lauderdale bus accident lawyer at Tucker Law today to have someone stand up to the bus operator and local government. Your initial consultation is free, and there are no fees unless you win.

Who Is Liable for a Bus Accident Injury?

Fort Lauderdale bus accidents tend to be more common because this thriving metropolis is a popular tourist destination. Our busy streets run with city buses, tour buses, and school buses throughout the day. Passengers on these modes of transport often suffer injuries.

Bus accident victims are often at a loss for what to do next. With medical bills, lost wages, and other damages as a result of this incident, it’s important to seek the assistance of bus accident lawyers to help you determine who is liable.

To make a bus accident case, you need to prove that the injuries you sustained were caused by the driver’s negligence. Additionally, a bus driver is employed by either a private company or government authority, which can also be held responsible for your damages.

A Fort Lauderdale bus accident lawyer at Tucker Law is an even greater asset to have when the bus you were on is owned by the city or government. Lawsuits related to these accidents are far more complex since the city itself may be liable for paying your damages.

Under Title XLV, section 768.28 of the Florida Statutes, it states that neither the state nor any of its subdivisions are liable in tort cases when it comes to acts or omissions of any state employee or agent that are done outside the scope of their employment. This also pertains to those that act in bad faith or with malicious intent to disregard human rights and safety.

However, sovereign immunity is waived when it comes to personal injuries. If a personal injury lawsuit arises from negligence that is found to have been committed by these government employees when they should have been carrying out their assigned duties for the government agency, it can be held liable. A municipal bus driver’s duties are government assigned which means sovereign immunity is waived in personal injury cases.

Additionally, it should be noted that in the state of Florida, the waiver prevents any claimant from being awarded punitive damages or any interest accrued in the time before a judgment is made. A personal injury claim can also seek to recover financial compensation due to any government employee’s negligence in relation to properly maintaining the bus.

While the bus driver’s negligence may play a role in the accident, if the bus is privately owned and hired by a tour company, the tour company may be liable. A tour company owes a duty of care to its patrons. Part of that includes choosing a bus company that has a clean safety record and diligence on the bus company’s maintenance.

Since there could potentially be many liable parties involved, injured victims should contact a Fort Lauderdale bus accident lawyer. Tucker Law will step up and handle your injury claims.

What Types of Damages Are Available to Bus Accident Victims?

In bus accident cases, you may be able to recover damages that are intended to pay for your medical expenses and other costs incurred from your serious injuries. In addition to your medical bills, you can seek economic damages that include lost wages and ongoing medical damages.

Non-economic damages may also be sought for pain and suffering and emotional distress. How much you receive will all depend on the unique factors surrounding your personal injury case.

Bus accident cases are different in that these types of lawsuits often seek damages from local or state government authorities. A city bus line for example would be limited in the amount of what it would be required to pay to accident victims under Title XLV, section 768.28 of the Florida Statutes. If there are multiple claimants though, the amount increases slightly.

Your Fort Lauderdale bus accident attorney at Tucker Law will pursue your bus accident case with the highest level of integrity and hold all liable parties responsible for compensating you for your injuries. Fighting against a major bus company or its insurance company can be a difficult battle, one you should never face without the help of a Fort Lauderdale law firm.

FAQS

Were you in a Fort Lauderdale bus crash? Your bus accidents lawyer at Tucker Law will be your legal representation with complete determination to aid your financial recovery. Learn more about how to take legal action below.

How Do I Get Compensation for a Bus Accident?

The best way to recover damages after a Fort Lauderdale bus accident is to work with a bus accident lawyer on your personal injury lawsuit. How much compensation you receive will depend on all the factors of the accident. Your bus accident attorney will gain evidence from the accident scene and negotiate with the liable party. The steps you need to take are very similar to those you’d follow for regular motor vehicle accidents. However, with more than one at-fault party, things can get complicated quickly. Always work with a personal injury lawyer that understands all the components of a bus accident case.

Can You Sue if a Bus Crashes?

In South Florida, if you suffered injuries, you can sue for a Fort Lauderdale bus accident. Whether a government agency operated the bus is responsible, another driver on the road caused the bus to crash, or the driver of the bus was negligent, an attorney with the law firm will represent you. Bus passengers that suffer serious injuries in bus collisions can seek compensation in a personal injury claim.

Is the Bus Driver Liable for an Accident?

It’s not always cut and dry as to who is liable for an accident involving a bus. Bus accident lawyers know what to look for to see if it was a mechanical failure that would make the company that owns the bus liable.

There are other factors such as the bus manufacturer and defective parts. Often, things get confusing when the liable party is the driver of the bus. You may have a case against the driver as well as the operator, or even another driver on the road. Most of the time, it’s the bus company or the government agency that is responsible. By choosing a law firm with experience in Fort Lauderdale bus accidents, you’ll recover compensation like you deserve.

If you have a Fort Lauderdale bus accident case, speak with an attorney at Tucker Law. We’ve helped accident victims seek compensation and recover tens of millions of dollars for injuries sustained. Call today to set up a free, no obligation consultation with an experienced attorney.

Tucker Law’s main office is located at 800 SE 3rd Avenue, Suite 300 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, about 20 minutes from Fort Lauderdale Beach, less than a mile away from Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk, and about 5 minutes away from the Museum of Discovery and Science. Port Everglades is only 15 minutes away. Matthew Sean Tucker, the principal attorney at Tucker Law, is your trusted source for addressing both personal injury and intellectual property matters. With a proven history of expertise and success, Tucker Law ensures your legal representation instills confidence in every aspect of your case. Call Tucker Law today at 1-800-882-5379 with further questions.