There are few vehicles more cumbersome than a city bus. Buses drive slowly, stop frequently, and often take a lot of time picking up passengers. While these large vehicles may frustrate surrounding drivers, thousands of people around the Miami area rely on city buses to get around town. When a car and bus collide, the potential for injury is enormous. Drivers, passengers, bus riders, and pedestrians may all be injured in a car-bus collision, and may all have a claim for damages in a personal injury case. If you were hurt because of one of these crashes, the Miami car and bus accident lawyers at Gerson & Schwartz, P.A. can help you protect your rights and seek compensation for your injuries.
Injuries in Car-Bus AccidentsA collision between a city bus and a passenger vehicle can have devastating consequences for everyone involved. First, the people in the passenger vehicle may suffer serious injuries due to the size of the bus. Such a large vehicle colliding with a smaller one means that there may be an increased risk of whiplash injuries, crushing injuries, broken bones and lacerations, and even death.
Passengers on the bus may also be seriously injured due to the nature of the vehicle. Most buses do not have seat belts, air bags, or other safety features that would protect riders. Additionally, unlike passengers in a vehicle who are normally sitting and facing forward, riders on the bus may be standing up or facing toward the side of the vehicle, and may be unable to brace themselves for the shock of a collision. Bus riders may be thrown around the bus violently, increasing the chance of serious injury. Because buses are so big and have such a high center of gravity, they are also prone to rolling or tipping during an accident, which has the potential to cause even more injuries.
In addition to people in either of the vehicles, car-bus accidents often injure pedestrians. People are usually waiting for the bus at bus stops, and if the collision occurred while the bus was stopped, pedestrians may be struck by any of the vehicles in the crash. Injuries to pedestrians can be especially dangerous, since they have no protection from the force of the accident and may be gravely injured.
Get Compensation After a Car-Bus CollisionPublic transportation accidents can be complicated to sort out. Unlike a passenger vehicle accident, there are multiple different people and entities which may have some legal liability for injuries sustained in the collision. First, the drivers of either the bus and/or the other car may have been negligent in driving the vehicles. Additionally, the bus company and the city or municipality which owns the bus line may be responsible if the driver they hired was unqualified, reckless, or poorly trained. Finally, in Florida Soverigen immunity laws may apply. These laws are limit the amount of money injury victims are entitled to based on Florida law. The time frames to act at in a collision with a city of county vehicle are also much shorter than typical car crash cases. For these reasons, consulting an experienced personal injury lawyer that handles motor vehicle collisions and car accidents in Miami is essential prior to pursuing any serious injury claim. Additionally, bus mechanics or even vehicle manufacturers may also be liable if the vehicle was unsafe or malfunctioned.
In comparison to passenger vehicles, buses are known as “common carriers.” This means that Florida law imposes the highest duty of care possible on bus companies to keep passengers safe. When a common carrier vehicle like a bus or taxi crashes, it is likely that the bus company may have some responsibility for injuries if a failure to maintain or repair the bus contributed to any injuries—even if the accident wasn’t the bus driver’s fault.
Get Legal Help After a Car-Bus Collision in MiamiAt Gerson & Schwartz, P.A., our experienced car accident lawyers in Miami handles bus-car collisions in Miami and other areas in South Florida. The Miami car accident lawyers at Gerson & Schwartz, PA have been fighting for injured victims and their families for over four decades. If you were injured in a bus-car accident, you may be able to recover money damages for compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, scarring, disfigurement, future medical care and pain and suffering.
After a car-bus collision, the insurance company that covers the city bus will be eager to settle the case quickly and cheaply. Before you sign a settlement agreement or speak with the insurance company, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. The car-bus accident lawyers at Gerson & Schwartz, P.A., will review your injury claim for free and help you understand your legal rights and options. To schedule an initial consultation, contact us today by calling a lawyer in our firm by calling (305) 371-6000 or contact us online.