A bus is larger and heavier than a small vehicle. Thus, when these two crash into each other, occupants of the latter can be at significantly greater risk. If you are involved in a bus accident, you can suffer a life-altering injury that can affect different aspects of your life, including financial, physical, mental, and social.
Working with a bus accident lawyer is integral to helping fight for your rights. Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, a dedicated Tampa bus accident law firm, is experienced in protecting the rights of individuals injured in different circumstances.
If you are injured in a bus accident, this guide provides you with the essential information and guidance you need to understand the next steps to take.
What To Do Immediately After a Bus Accident
If you can safely move your car, consider doing so to avoid blocking traffic or creating a hazard that can lead to a second collision. Then, assess yourself for visible injuries, such as cuts, bruises, or bleeding. Pat yourself and pay attention to any pain you may be experiencing, and check if you can move your arms and legs without difficulties. Lastly, look out for signs of nausea, dizziness, and difficulty speaking or swallowing.
You should then call the police to notify them of the accident. Ensure a police report is filed, as it serves as official documentation and a valuable piece of evidence in auto accident claims.
After confirming you can safely move around and reporting the accident, you need to gather information. This includes the driver’s details (name, phone number, address, and driver’s license number), the bus information (bus number, route number, and any specific bus identifiers), and witness contact details. Additionally, take photos and videos of the accident scene, property damage, and your injuries. If you can’t move, ask a witness to help you gather the relevant details and document the scene.
When involved in a bus accident, it’s vital to seek medical attention even if you seem to have only suffered minor injuries. You may have hidden injuries without knowing. Learn more about coding auto accident injuries to ensure your physician uses the correct codes in your records.
When exchanging information with the other driver and obtaining witness contact information, avoid admitting fault to anyone.
Why You Need a Tampa Bus Accident Lawyer
Bus accidents often involve different regulations than car accidents. Therefore, it’s important to work with a Tampa bus accident lawyer to understand the rules that apply to your case. For starters, since they are common carriers, bus drivers and transportation companies are held to a higher duty of care.
Additionally, your case might involve different parties, meaning the driver may not be the only party that is liable. You may have a case against the bus company, a maintenance provider, a government entity, or even the vehicle manufacturer.
Working with a lawyer ensures that your rights are protected. They will help you understand your rights and options.
Further, dealing with an insurance company after a bus accident can be challenging. The insurer may use various strategies to give a low settlement. Luckily, bus accident lawyers are skilled in negotiations. They can successfully handle negotiations with the insurer to guarantee just compensation.
Your lawyer will investigate the accident thoroughly to determine the best angle to approach the case from. They will gather adequate evidence, including maintenance logs, driver records, and surveillance footage, to build a strong case for maximum compensation. Your attorney will gather evidence that proves the four elements of personal injury: duty of care, breach of that duty of care, causation, and damages. Examples of evidence they will use to prove this include the photos and videos you took, the police report, your medical records, pay stubs, and witness statements.
Common Causes of Tampa Bus Accidents
Here are the common causes of bus accidents in Tampa:
Driver Negligence
- Distracted driving: Texting, eating, talking with passengers, looking at billboards, and adjusting the radio are examples of distractions that can lead to a crash.
- Speeding and reckless driving: A driver who speeds or drives recklessly may be unable to respond safely to changes in traffic.
- Driving under the influence: Alcohol impairs judgment and causes poor coordination, affecting a driver’s ability to drive safely.
- Fatigued driving: A bus driver who violates hours-of-service regulations may be fatigued behind the wheel, which is dangerous.
- Failure to follow traffic laws: Some bus drivers run red lights or stop signs, tailgate, fail to yield, make unsafe turns, and change lanes unsafely, putting other road users at risk.
Bus Company Negligence
- Inadequate maintenance of the bus: Some bus companies fail to properly maintain their buses. For instance, they fail to properly inspect and repair brakes/tires, resulting in a bus with mechanical defects on the road.
- Negligent hiring or training of drivers: A company that fails to conduct thorough background checks when hiring drivers or does not adequately train its drivers endangers road users.
- Overcrowding: When a bus is overcrowded, its overall weight increases. This can make it challenging for the driver to maneuver it safely, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Failure to adhere to safety protocols: Neglecting driver training, failing to properly maintain vehicles, transporting hazardous materials, and disregarding driver hours-of-service regulations are examples of how some bus companies fail to adhere to safety protocols.
Certain external factors can also lead to a bus accident. These include bad weather, poor road conditions, and other drivers’ actions.
Types of Bus Accident Cases We Handle in Tampa
Our bus accident lawyers handle different types of bus accidents in Tampa, including:
- HART bus accidents: We help victims involved in an accident with a HART bus.
- School bus accidents: This type of bus accident can be sensitive because children may have been injured. If you are hit by a school bus, our attorneys will guide you on what to do.
- Charter bus accidents: Charter buses are common in Florida because of their convenience. Unfortunately, some are operated by negligent drivers who can cause accidents.
- Tour bus accidents: If a tour bus hits you, we can help you gather sufficient evidence to receive just compensation.
- Private shuttle accidents: Private shuttles offer reliable services to Tampa residents. Nonetheless, a private shuttle driver may act negligently, injuring you. We help victims injured in such circumstances.
- Accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists and buses: If you are a pedestrian or cyclist hit by a bus, our law firm handles cases similar to yours.
Types of Damages You Can Recover in a Tampa Bus Accident Claim
When you file a bus accident claim in Tampa, you can recover economic damages, which are financial losses that can be calculated. These include medical expenses (ambulance fee, medical bills, doctor visits, medications, physical therapy, and so on), lost wages (lost income and future earning capacity), and property damage (vehicle repair/replacement and any other belongings that may have been damaged in the accident).
You can also recover non-economic damages (intangible losses that are difficult to quantify). These include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement and scarring, and loss of consortium.
The Claims Process: What To Expect From a Tampa Bus Accident Lawyer
When you work with our bus accident law firm, you can expect this process:
- Initial consultation: During the first meeting with Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, we will get more information about your case to determine the best way forward. This will be a free consultation.
- Investigation and evidence gathering: Evidence is crucial in car accident claims. We will investigate the case to gather solid evidence to support your claims.
- Demand letter: Your lawyer will send the responsible party a demand letter, outlining the details of the accident, the injuries you sustained, and the damages you are seeking.
- Negotiation with insurance companies: The other party’s insurance company will send an offer, which will initiate negotiations until an agreement is reached.
- Filing a lawsuit (if necessary): If a fair settlement can’t be reached or the insurer denies fault, you can file a lawsuit. Although most cases are successfully settled outside court, going to trial is possible. Our litigation lawyers are skilled in defending the rights of clients in court.
Why Choose Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, for Your Tampa Bus Accident Case?
So, why should you choose Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, when you want to file an auto accident claim in St. Petersburg?
Our law firm is renowned for its local expertise. We have an in-depth understanding of Tampa and Florida laws. Additionally, we have a track record of helping victims of bus accidents receive maximum compensation.
We are committed to providing personalized attention and support. Your lawyer will learn more about your case and communicate effectively with you throughout your case. Our law firm will fight tirelessly for your rights, even if this means going to court.
Note that we also have a contingency fee policy — we don’t get paid until you win.
Contact us today to protect your rights.
FAQ
How Long Do I Have To File a Bus Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
Generally, you can recover damages caused by negligence within two years in Florida. So, if you are involved in a bus accident, you can take action against the other party within two years of the date of the accident.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Tampa Bus Accident?
The bus driver, the bus company, a maintenance provider, a government entity, or a vehicle manufacturer. Another driver who contributed to the accident may also be held liable.
What Is My Tampa Bus Accident Case Worth?
The value of your case will depend on the severity of your injuries, the damages you incurred, and the evidence you submit regarding negligence. That’s why it’s crucial to gather sufficient evidence to support your claims to receive maximum compensation.
Should I Talk to the Bus Company’s Insurance Adjuster?
It’s not recommended to do so, as you may say something that can negatively impact your claim. Insurance adjusters are skilled in minimizing payouts. They know the questions to ask to get answers that can show you were at fault for the accident, or at least partly. Consider getting legal guidance to avoid costly mistakes.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Bus Accident Lawyer in Tampa?
Typically, bus accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. They charge an agreed percentage of the compensation. Thus, they don’t get paid unless the client wins.
Sources:
5 Hidden Injuries to Watch Out for After an Auto Accident. (n.d.).
FLA. STAT. § 95.11(5). (2024)
Traffic Crash Reports. (n.d.).
About Jack G. Bernstein Esq.
Personal Injury Lawyer
For more than 40 years, personal injury lawyer Jack G. Bernstein — a member of the Florida State Bar Association, the Hillsborough Bar Association, and the Clearwater Bar Association — has protected the rights of individuals injured by a negligent party.
Mr. Bernstein has the expertise to handle various injury cases, including, but not limited to, car accidents, medical malpractice cases, cruise ship accidents, accidental drownings, wrongful death lawsuits, along with most injury and catastrophic occurrences, and legal malpractice issues.
With a staff of approximately 40 people, including six lawyers and 34 support personnel, Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, handles every type of personal injury and accident case throughout Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, FL. Our office has the legal resources to get the justice you deserve and the maximum recovery for your losses. Schedule your free consultation today; we are always here to help.