Public transportation is an economic and efficient way to travel without having to rely on your car. To accommodate the thousands of people who take advantage of this service every day, the vehicles need to be bigger and longer than a standard passenger car. Unfortunately, these features make a collision with a bus more dangerous and likely to result in serious injuries.
If you have been hurt in a crash, you may be eligible to recover financial compensation, and a bus wreck attorney from Largey Law Firm is here to provide guidance. Our team of lawyers has been helping injured victims seek damages in Mount Dora bus accident cases for over 20 years, and we are ready to handle the legal matters so you can focus on healing.
Establishing Who Is Responsible for a Bus Crash
Before filing a claim for compensation in a Mount Dora bus crash, it is important to determine who may be held liable. Unlike a typical accident with private cars, a bus collision might involve multiple parties, including the bus operator, their employers, and other drivers. It is possible that all of them could share a portion of responsibility.
These claims typically start with the bus driver. As commercial carriers, these drivers are responsible for protecting their passengers, and operating such a large vehicle requires a significant amount of skill and attention to avoid colliding with other cars. Getting distracted, speeding, or driving while intoxicated puts everyone in danger, and the operator could be liable if this behavior results in a crash.
However, liability is often more complicated than this. Buses are typically owned by private companies or government agencies that employ people to drive. These employers could be held vicariously liable for injuries caused by the actions of their employees. However, if that employer is a government entity, such as the Lake County Transit Office, there are additional procedural steps you must follow to file a claim.
What Compensation May Be Available to Victims?
Since Florida is a no-fault state, Mount Dora bus passengers injured in a collision must seek compensation from their own insurance before filing a claim against another party. The legal case is meant to make up for any shortcomings in the victims’ personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. This may be necessary, as bus crashes are often so severe that the PIP is not enough.
Generally, victims may seek compensation for their medical treatment, rehabilitation costs, and lost income if they are unable to work in their claim. It may also be possible to recover compensation for the intangible losses, such as emotional distress, ongoing pain and suffering, and permanent scarring.
Every case is different, and the available types and amounts of compensation depend on several factors. This is why it is vital to see an experienced lawyer as soon as possible after an accident.
Contact a Mount Dora Attorney About Damages in Your Bus Crash Case
Motor vehicle collisions can happen at any time and cause serious injuries to everyone involved, but crashes involving public transportation vehicles are especially devastating. If you have been hurt in a bus wreck, the lawyers at Largey Law Firm could help you file a claim.
Determining damages in Mount Dora bus accident cases can be a complex process, but we are here to guide you from start to finish. Call Largey Law Firm for a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys.
