Miami has some of the most congested roads in the country. Taking the bus is a great way to avoid the headache of driving and stay safe. Some studies show that taking the bus is about 60 times safer than driving a car. However, buses are not immune to the dangers of the road. Accidents involving buses happen every day. These accidents involve other vehicles, pedestrians, and even trains.
Have you been involved in a Miami bus accident? You may have the right to file a personal injury claim for damages if someone else is responsible for your injuries. The money you get can cover medical bills, make up for lost wages, and compensate for the pain and suffering you experience. At Lavent Law, P.A., our Miami bus accident lawyer is prepared to help you maximize your financial award. Call our office today schedule your free consultation and learn more.
Why It’s Smart to Hire an Attorney After a Miami Bus Accident
Bus accidents can be particularly traumatic. If you’ve been injured in a crash, you may be dealing with painful physical injuries. At the same time, the costs of your accident may start to become overwhelming. When someone else is to blame, you have the right to demand compensation. However, bus accident cases can be particularly challenging.
It’s important to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer if you want to maximize your financial recovery. Here’s why:
- Insurance companies will be quick to deny and/or limit your payout if you try to work alone.
- A thorough and professional investigation will be necessary to determine cause(s) and liability.
- Determining the value of your bus accident case will require careful analysis and consultations with a variety of experts.
- You may not know which monetary damages you have a right to recover.
- Shared fault for your accident could threaten your personal injury case.
- You can be denied compensation if you don’t file your personal injury claim on time.
If you work alone, you risk not getting the money you need after your bus accident. Hiring an attorney will help to make your personal injury case as successful as it can possibly be. At Lavent Law, P.A., our attorneys are prepared to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Call our office today to get started on your bus accident lawsuit today.
Common Bus Accident Injuries
A bus accident can have immediate and long-lasting consequences in your life. At Lavent Law, P.A., our attorneys will fight to help you recover compensation for any of your bus accident injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue damage
- Burns
- Concussion
- Brain injury
- Spine injury
- Quadriplegia
- Amputation
- Wrongful death, and more.
If you’ve been injured and someone else is to blame, you have the right to demand compensation. At Lavent Law, P.A., no injury is too big or too small. Call our experienced legal team for immediate assistance today.
Types of Miami Bus Accidents
There are many different kinds of buses traveling throughout the greater Miami area. You may have the right to recover compensation if you have been injured in an accident involving any of the following types of buses:
- School bus
- City transit bus
- Private charter bus
- Airport shuttle bus
- Casino bus (transportation from hotels to casinos), or
- Entertainment venue bus (think Disneyland, ski areas, National Park Services, etc.).
Buses are categorized as common carriers in the state of Florida. Common carriers, which are companies that provide transportation in exchange for a free, are held to a higher duty of care than others. As a result, bus companies and bus drivers have a legal obligation to do everything they reasonably can to keep you safe.
If you’re injured in a bus accident, you’ll want to work with an attorney who is familiar with transit rules and regulations that may affect your case. Since buses and bus drivers are held to a higher standard of care, any deviation from state or federal transit regulations could be crucial to your case. Contact Lavent Law, P.A. to schedule a free case assessment with our skilled legal team.
Causes of Bus Accidents in Miami
Bus accidents aren’t all that uncommon in Miami. While every accident is different, there are certain causes are reported more frequently than others. Determining the cause of your accident will be crucial to your personal injury case. Once the cause is known, you’ll be able to identify who may be liable for your injuries.
Operator Negligence
Buses are large, heavy vehicles that must be driven with extreme care and caution. In order to operate a bus, drivers must pass rigorous state testing and licensing requirements. Unfortunately, even these specially-licensed bus drivers cause accidents. A bus driver may be considered negligent if they speed, talk on the phone, communicate with dispatch during a trip, or fail to yield to other vehicles on the road.
Fatigued Drivers
Bus drivers are subject to strict state and federal regulations. Some of these regulations limit the amount of time a bus driver can spend behind the wheel. If a driver is on the road for too long, they risk becoming extremely fatigued and tired. This can reduce the driver’s reaction time and increase the risk of an accident.
Distracted Drivers
Other drivers on the road can also be responsible for bus accidents in Miami. Accidents are more likely to happen when drivers are distracted behind the wheel. Distractions can include phones, electronic devices, passengers, food, or the radio. Drivers who aren’t paying attention to the road are more likely to cause an accident or crash into a bus.
Aggressive Drivers
Many drivers will be aggressive and do what they can to pass a bus. Speeding, changing lanes unexpectedly, tailgating, and refusing to yield the right of way to a bus can all cause serious accidents.
Negligent Hiring
Bus companies have a responsibility to do whatever they can to keep passengers safe. This begins with hiring drivers who are responsible and qualified for the job. Some companies cut corners and hire drivers who will work for the least amount of money. Others don’t invest the necessary time and resources into training their drivers properly. This can lead to an influx of inexperienced and unsafe bus drivers on the road.
Defective Buses or Equipment
Bus accidents aren’t always caused by a negligent driver. Some accidents happen because the vehicles and/or equipment are defective. Companies that design, manufacture, and/or sell defective buses or bus equipment can be held responsible for injuries that result.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Hazards on the road can contribute to devastating bus crashes in Miami. Buses may be more likely to be involved in a crash if it is driven on poorly designed roads or those with broken or cracked surfaces. Accidents can also happen when road signs or obscured or if roads are covered in debris. The government agency responsible for road maintenance – either with the city of Miami or Miami-Dade County – can be held responsible for accidents and injuries that could have been prevented.
Liability for Bus Accidents in Miami
Anyone who contributes to your Miami bus accident can be held financially responsible for your injuries. You may have the right to demand compensation from a:
- Bus driver
- Bus company
- City transportation agency
- Bus manufacturer
- Driver of another vehicle involved in the accident, or
- Negligent third party, including other drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.
Shared Fault for Miami Bus Crashes
There may be times when more than one person contributes to your bus accident. In these situations, you have the right to ask for compensation from each of those parties.
There may also be times when your own actions contribute to your accident or injuries. In these situations, your ability to recover compensation can be compromised. Your recovery will be reduced by how much you contributed to the incident. For example, let’s say that you are 30 percent responsible for your bus accident. Your financial recovery will be reduced by that 30 percent.
You need to work with an experienced Miami bus accident lawyer if you share fault for your accident. Others involved in the crash will try to pin all of the blame for the accident on you. As your attorneys, we will carefully investigate your accident and uncover evidence that shifts blame to others. The less fault you share, the more money you can get.
Damages Available to Miami Bus Accident Victims
The costs of a bus accident can be overwhelming. Medical bills will add up over time. If you’re forced to miss time at work, the loss of income can make matters worse. Fortunately, you have the right to file a legal claim to recover compensation. At Lavent Law, P.A., our attorneys will aggressively pursue damages on your behalf, including those for:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Property damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Temporary and/or permanent disability
- Reduced earning capacity
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
Call our office to get started on your personal injury case today. We’re here to help you get the money you deserve when you need it most.
Miami Bus Accident Lawyers
Have you been injured in a Miami bus accident? Contact the experienced attorneys at Lavent Law, P.A. for immediate legal assistance. You have the right to demand compensation from a negligent party. We can help you maximize your financial settlement or award. We offer a free consultation, so do not hesitate to call for help today.
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