Large public buses are a common sight on Florida’s roads and highways.  Public transportation is becoming increasingly popular due in large part to increasing gas prices and congested roads. As more people ride a public bus the more likely that they will be involved in a public bus accident. When people take advantage of public buses, they have the right to be safe and not be injured getting from place to place.

Unique Problems in Public Bus Accidents

Being involved in any type of car accident can be traumatic and may cause serious injury, and this is particularly true when the accident involves a public bus.

Because of the size and weight of these vehicles, the damage caused by a bus accident can often far exceed the damage that occurs in passenger vehicle accidents. In addition, due to the lack of seat belts or other restraints on public buses, bus passengers are particularly vulnerable to being injured in an accident.

Public buses are buses operated by the government, and could be county, city, or municipal vehicle. Fortunately for the public, strict state and federal regulations govern the training of drivers, maintenance of vehicles, insurance coverage, and operational guidelines.

Even with all these regulations, accidents still can happen, and when they are the result of another person’s negligence you may be able to recover for your injuries.

Causes of Public Bus Accidents

Public bus accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, such as:

• Driver error
• Weather conditions
• Poorly maintained vehicles
• Drunk driving
• Distracted driving

These are just some of the most common causes of bus accidents, and they can occur for a variety of reasons.

Florida Laws in Public Bus Accidents

Under Florida law, all drivers owe a duty of care to other people who use the road. This holds true for public bus operators as well, and any negligence that results in injury to another person could create a cause of action against the responsible party or parties.

Florida’s sovereign immunity law caps the maximum amount you can recover for injuries sustained in a public bus is $200,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. This means that even if your total damages exceed $200,000 you will not be able to recover any more. If you have uninsured motorist coverage it may be available to cover anything above the maximum limit.

In addition, if there were other drivers involved in the crash, they may be partially liable for any injuries that you sustained.

People rightfully expect to be safe when using public transportation, and when someone else’s negligence results in injury you have the right to recover for your injuries.

If you are involved in a public bus accident, be sure to record any identifying information about the bus, the driver, other vehicles, and ask any witnesses for their contact information. You should also have a full medical evaluation performed as soon as possible after the bus accident performed by a medical professional. While some injuries may be readily apparent, others may not and symptoms may not appear for days or weeks.

Ask A Lawyer - Look for a free consultation!

Finally, contact an experienced bus accident attorney to schedule a free consultation. Because lawsuits involving buses and public entities can be very complicated, it's important to retain the services of a lawyer that knows how to handle public bus accident cases. Don’t delay, call 954-961-5100 for a free consultation with our personal injury lawyer.