West Palm Beach Bus Accident Attorney
Bus travel is one of the easiest, most efficient ways to commute these days. Travelling by bus is more environmentally friendly and cost efficient than driving, and many commuters choose to ride across West Palm Beach every day on this form of public transformation. For all the benefits though, traveling by bus can also pose a risk to drivers and passengers. Though bus travel is usually safe, accidents happen each and every year right here in the West Palm Beach area. If you have been recently hurt in a bus accident, call our experienced West Palm Beach bus accidents attorneys right away. At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to representing your interests. Contact us for high quality legal advice.
The Difficulties and Dangers of Driving a Bus in Busy Traffic Lead to Collisions
Passengers on buses are generally much more safe than their counterparts in the passenger vehicles down below. Because of their immense size, buses offer protection that even the most sophisticated passenger vehicle cannot. However, injuries still occur when buses collide with cars, SUVs, and semi trucks. Bus drivers are just like every other driver: they can make dangerous mistakes and fatal errors in judgment. When an operator of such a large vehicle becomes tired and drowsy at the wheel, intoxicated, distracted, or impatient and aggressive with other traffic, the outcome can be dire, especially for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, but also for passenger vehicles and even the occupants of the bus. Additionally, buses are harder to maneuver than passenger vehicles, they offer poor rear and side view visibility for the driver, and they take a long time to get up to speed and take even a longer time stopping. And, of course, they make frequent stops on the side of the road, having to pull over and back into traffic every few minutes or less. All of these factors, combined with a schedule to keep and busy, rush hour-clogged streets, add up to collisions that can injure even those inside the bus. Usually, these collisions only injure passenger vehicles and non-occupants, but when the crash is severe in that it involves another large vehicle, occurs at high speed, or ends in a rollover, no one is safe.
School Bus Accidents
Talking on the phone while driving is not illegal in Florida. That law, or lack of law, is also applied to school bus drivers. While there is no data on how the added distraction of talking on a cell phone may be for a school bus driver attempting to concentrate on the road ahead with dozens of rowdy children in tow, one can only assume that no good could come of it. School bus fatalities are rare, though from 2003 to 2012, there have been 1,353 fatalities in school bus related crashes, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Eight percent of those fatalities were occupants of the school buses, 21 percent were non occupants such as cyclists and pedestrians, and 71 percent were the occupants of other vehicles.
Who is at Fault in a Bus Collision?
If you were injured in a bus accident, you may have no clue what happened and who was at fault. Bus passengers have no clear view of oncoming traffic, or much else other than what is directly to their left or right, assuming they even have a window seat. Determining fault is the number one important aspect of a personal injury lawsuit. If the collision was the fault of another driver, they will be held liable. However, if the fault of the collision lies with the bus driver, the bus company or the city, if it was a public bus, may be held accountable.
Financial Compensation for Damages
Thousands of bus accidents happen throughout Florida each year. From commercial buses to school buses to public transportation buses, bus accidents present certain risks for both drivers and passengers. As mentioned above, large vehicles like buses can be harder to control than smaller vehicles. Buses cannot stop on a dime, and this often leads to serious accidents or traffic pile-ups. Because of the large vehicle size, victims are often seriously injured in these accidents. Head injuries, spinal injuries and broken bones are common. Tragically, death can also result from a bus accident. Let our West Palm Beach bus accident attorneys provide advice, information and assistance.
If you have been injured in a bus accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Bus companies or public transportation operators may be liable to pay for your damages. These operators are responsible for providing reasonably safe transportation for passengers. Additionally, bus drivers are required to obey the rules of the road like other drivers. When bus companies or bus drivers act negligently or recklessly, and that action causes injury to another, the company or driver may be held responsible.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me?
Bus accident cases are often more complicated than other auto accident cases. This is usually due to the fact that multiple parties are often involved in bus accidents. The bus driver, company and/or owner may have acted negligently or recklessly, causing injury. It can be hard to determine who should be held legally responsible for an accident victim’s injuries and other damages. An experienced West Palm Beach attorney will be able to assess your case and determine who is liable.
Personal injury law is complex and involves many legal deadlines. Often, the law imposes strict time limitations on when a bus accident victim can sue for damages. Hiring an experienced West Palm Beach bus accident attorney can enhance settlement prospects for the accident victim. Do not wait to contact the reputable personal injury firm Pike & Lustig, LLP today. Our injury attorneys will aggressively fight to protect your rights and interests in court. We will work closely with you throughout the entire process and explain your legal options to you. At Pike & Lustig, LLP, we offer every client tailored legal advice specific to the situation. Call us today at 561-291-8298 to speak with one of our highly trained, highly skilled personal injury attorneys.
