An accident involving a bus can have catastrophic results for many people, including those in smaller vehicles sharing the road with the bus.

At Panter, Panter & Sampedro, in Miami, we provide experienced legal help for people injured in bus accidents and other types of motor vehicle accidents throughout South Florida.

Call 305-662-6178 to schedule a FREE consultation with an experienced lawyer about your legal options for pursuing compensation. To learn more about bus accidents and the legal implications, read below.

Every single year, millions of Florida residents take the bus. The youngest among us take the bus to make it to school on time. Those who live in the big cities take the transit buses to go to work or to take care of their errands. Still others take buses between cities as a way to get from one part of the state to the other.

Most bus trips are safe, but the worst can happen. It is hard to predict what will happen on the road. When the driver is operating a machine that is far larger than most of the other vehicles on the road, any accident can turn serious quickly.

At Panter Law, we want to give you more information on what can happen after a bus accident. As local accident lawyers, we have the insight you need to help explore your options.

Common Bus Accident Injuries

Unfortunately, many injuries that come from bus crashes are serious. A car is heavy, and a bus is often several times larger than a car. That means that any collision is going to come with maximum impact. Read below to learn common bus accident injuries:

• Head Injury
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Broken Bones
• Lacerations & Deep Cuts
• Whiplash
• Death
• Burns
• Paralysis

The above is not meant to be a comprehensive list. There are many more injuries that can stem from bus accidents.

Types of Bus Accidents

Not everyone encounters the same issues when it comes to bus accidents. This makes sense, because not every bus is the same. Read below to learn more about what could be more specific for you.

School Bus Accidents

School bus accidents require the parent sue on behalf of the child. Most school buses lack even basic safety features like seat belts, which means that injuries can be catastrophic. Children have special status under the law, and judges have widely recognized that kids need extra protection.

Drivers have a duty to drive safely while they are driving the bus, of course, but sometimes that duty of care extends into certain circumstances where they might have to ensure the safety of the children.

It is also possible, under certain circumstances, that you can hold school entities liable, in addition to the school bus driver and the owner of the bus.

Transit Buses

Similar to school buses, many public buses lack any safety features. That is before the buses get overcrowded. People’s stray items can go flying in the event of a crash.

Because cities, counties, or other governmental agencies operate many public buses, special sets of laws regulate who can sue and how much they can sue for. It would be a good idea to contact local accident lawyers who can help you out.

Intercity Buses

Taking a bus can seem like a cheap and convenient way to go from Miami to any point in Florida, but there are always crashes. These motor coaches pose many of the same risks as other types of buses. Many of these companies are in the business of transporting customers along specific, regular and fixed routes, and as such they are considered common carriers. This label means that they have to exercise the highest degree of care towards their customers. Passengers who are injured as a result of a bus crash are usually entitled to compensation, if they hire a lawyer quickly.

Damages You May Be Able To Sue For After A Florida Bus Accident

You may be able to sue for the following damages after a bus accident:

• Monetary Damages
• Pain & Suffering
• Medical Bills
• Punitive Damages

Determining Negligence In A Bus Accident Lawsuit

One of the trickiest parts about a bus accident case is determining who exactly is liable. A good lawyer can help you establish who is to blame. Check out the list below, for people who are eligible to be sued:

• The bus driver
• The bus driver’s employer
• Passengers of the bus
• Other drivers
• Cyclists and pedestrians who don’t have right of way
• The metropolitan authorities

Did The Bus Driver & Bus Company Live Up To Their Responsibilities?

Florida highways carry lots of tour and travel buses. Our city streets are full of municipal buses. Freeway travel and city street travel pose different challenges for buses and those on the streets with them.

Highway accidents are usually high-speed wrecks that involve the bus leaving the road and overturning. At Panter, Panter & Sampedro, P.A., a bus accident attorney will examine whether bus driver error, road conditions, bus equipment conditions or recklessness on the part of other drivers on the road contributed to the crash. Many buses have cameras inside them, which can provide evidence of what was occurring in and around the bus.

If a bus breaks down on the highway, the bus driver has a duty to ensure that passengers are as safe as possible, which often means staying inside the vehicle and not getting off to stand along a freeway.

City bus accidents happen at lower speed, but can be equally deadly. They may involve the bus colliding with a biker or a car hitting the bus as it pulls away from the curb. If a bus turns too sharply and the back end goes over the curb, pedestrians in crosswalks or on street corners can be injured.

All bus drivers have a duty to drive responsibly, to not allow overcrowding, to not start or stop suddenly and to not drive erratically. If bad driving causes riders to fall or suffer other injuries, the bus company can be held accountable.

At Panter, Panter & Sampedro, we are committed to fighting for you and your rights. Our team is ready to be with you every step of the way.

Call us today at 305-662-6178  to learn more about who we are and what we can do for you.