Buses are considered one of the safest forms of transport around, and a great many Tampa residents make common use of them. During the construction of these larger commercial vehicles, the safety of its passengers is paramount. There is only so much one can do when attempting to ensure the safety of others. Even though research shows that fatal accidents have been on the decline since 1984, bus accident fatalities have increased significantly since 2009.
If you have been involved in a bus accident in Tampa, Florida, and you think you may be entitled to compensation, then call us today at The Law Place on (888) 224-6114. One of our experienced Tampa truck accident lawyers will book you in for a free consultation to determine if you have a case.
Tampa Bus Accident Statistics
Due to the large sizes of buses, often when they are involved in an accident, they can result in catastrophic personal injury and seriously impact your quality of life. It is easy to isolate yourself and attempt to deal with this potentially life-changing accident on your own. You do not have to do it. Our personal lawyers are here for you; they will fight your corner from minute one to the end of your case.
The state of Florida has the most registered buses across the whole country. So, it should not come as a surprise that we have some of the highest numbers of bus accidents as well. The amount of people becoming victims of these accidents and suffering a personal injury due to them is on the rise.
It is imperative that we hold these bus companies to account for not providing you with the safe mode of transport they promised. In 2017 alone, buss accidents rose by a staggering 9%. Here, at The Law Firm, we are ready and waiting to support you in your battle for the compensation you deserve.
What Are the Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Tampa, FL?
While bus accidents are not even close to the most common type of accidents, they can still ruin lives and even end them. The causes of an accident are always unforeseen and often unavoidable. That being said, here are some of the most common causes of bus accidents in Tampa:
- Tired or fatigued drivers – Bus drivers are expected to drive the bus all day every day. Fatigue can become a real issue.
- Below par bus conditions – Safety regulations are stringent when it comes to public transport, but everybody cuts corners from time to time.
- Breaching the duty of care – If the bus driver or another road user has breached their duty of care, it can often lead to an accident.
- Road conditions – Poor road conditions can contribute hugely to bus accidents
Regardless of the causes of the accident, if you or any of your loved ones have been involved or suffered a personal injury due to a bus accident, you could be entitled to compensation. If the cause of the accident can be determined, assigning fault becomes much simpler. Our accident lawyers have a wealth of experience when dealing with all types of road traffic accidents and are waiting to offer you some legal advice.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day.
Duty of Care
Every driver on the road has a duty of care to other drivers. One of the easiest ways for your personal injury lawyers to determine who is at fault is to prove that one party has breached their duty of care. Proving this alone is not enough to win the case, we must further prove that the party breaching their duty of care has led to an accident.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
How Is Fault Determined in a Tampa Bus Accident?
Our priority following a bus accident in Tampa is to piece together what happened and who was at fault. There are many ways this can be achieved. Although, when it comes to bus accidents and other commercial vehicle accidents, liability can become much trickier. Have no fear; your Tampa bus accident lawyer will work tirelessly to ensure that fault is assigned to the correct party, and you will get the compensation you deserve.
In most cases, one of the following parties is at fault:
- The bus driver – The actions of the bus driver can often be the cause of the accident, whether it be due to negligence or fatigue.
- The bus manufacturer – The manufacturer of the bus is not exempt; if a faulty bus has been cleared for road use, they could be held to account.
- The bus company – The bus company may not have maintained the vehicle properly.
- Another road user – The accident may occur due to the negligence of other road users.
You can rely on our personal injury lawyers to ensure that the fault is assigned to the correct party. Our number one priority is to ensure you get the compensation you deserve and that you get the much needed time to rest in this stressful time. Contact us today at The Law Firm and book in a free consultation with one of our bus accident lawyers.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
What Damage Can I Claim for in a Tampa Bus Accident?
Damages that can be claimed for tend to be very similar across the board. Due to the size of buses, the accidents tend to be much worse, and the amounts claimed as damages, much higher. The most common are:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earnings
- Property damage
- Loss of loved ones
- Medical bills
- Future loss of earning
If you feel you have suffered one of these damages, tell your personal injury lawyer. They will devote all of their time and effort to ensuring that it can be proved, and you get your compensation.
Punitive damages are another thing you can claim for in a Tampa bus accident, but they are very hard to prove. They are intended to further punish the driver deemed at fault and are not commonly awarded in Tampa, FL. To prove that punitive damages apply, one must prove the other party has been willfully malicious or reckless if you wish for them to be included in your claim. They are notoriously difficult to prove and often are not included in claims.
What Are the Most Common Injuries Sustained in Tampa Bus Accidents?
Injuries on bus accidents ten to be much worse than a regular car accident. Due to the increased size of a bus, even a low-speed collision can be catastrophic. When a bus collides with a smaller vehicle, it is a miracle anybody in the car survives at all.
Accidents involving buses tend to lead to serious personal injury, but the severity of them varies massively. You may be one of the lucky ones and escaped with only minor cuts and scrapes. Some are not so lucky and suffer life-changing injuries or, worse, lose their life entirely. These are some of the most common injuries suffered in a Tampa bus accident:
- Neck injuries, specifically, whiplash.
- Head or brain trauma/injuries.
- Broken bone or fractures.
- Damage to internal organs.
- Cuts, abrasions, and burns.
- Spinal cord injuries.
If you are suffering from an injury like these, you need not suffer in silence. Contact a Tampa, FL bus accident lawyer at our law firm today and find out if you are eligible for a claim. Injuries of any kind can be debilitating, we are sympathetic to your plight and are happy to share the burden with you while you get back on your feet.
What Should My First Step Be After a Tamp Bus Accident?
We advise that you contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as you feel able after your crash. If you call us, you will be offered a free consultation to assess the validity of your claim. Following this, we advise you to go to the ER and get a doctor to look at your injuries and document them. These documents can be used as evidence in the case to come.
What Can a Tampa Bus Accident Lawyer Do for Me?
The experienced attorneys at our law firm are well equipped to take on these bus companies. They will be in your corner every step of the way and ensure you are not taken advantage of in this vulnerable time.
Upon calling us, you will be offered a free consultation. In which you will be asked a series of simple questions to determine whether or not we can proceed with your case. You will be offered some non-obligatory advice, following which you can decide whether to allow us to take your case. If you decide you would prefer another law firm or wish to go it alone, that is fine. If you do decide to continue with us, we will book you in for an in-depth consultation. During this meeting, we will explain our fee structure to you, so you will not receive any surprise bills.
Our team of attorneys will conduct an onsite investigation of the crash site. They will look for anything you may have missed during the period of shock following your bus accident. They will look for skip marks on the road or sidewalk, collect eye witness accounts, look for obstructed stop signs, and whether any surveillance footage that covers the area. All of this information will be compiled, and a case will be built to ensure you get every penny you are due.
When the other party’s insurance company gets wind that you have decided to enlist the help of a Tampa injury lawyer, it is very likely they will contact you. They will attempt to resolve the case quickly and offer you a settlement that is much lower than the one you are due. They will try to devalue and even disregard your claim entirely. We advise that you do not agree to anything over the phone as they may try to get you to waive any rights you may have had to a claim. If this happens, we advise you to contact an accident lawyer immediately, and they will handle all correspondence from that point onwards.
How Should I Deal With a Tampa Insurance Company?
It is imperative when dealing with an insurance company that you be very careful what you say. They will have teams of claim adjusters and bus accident lawyers, ready and waiting to discredit your claim. Just like any big business, they are trying to save money and avoid paying out on any claim they can.
By law, you are required to notify your insurance company when you have been involved in an accident. Your contract will state the amount of time you have to do so, usually 24 hours. If possible, we advised that you speak to a personal injury lawyer before you contact them. If that is not possible, we advise that you keep your statements short and stick to the facts. Avoid divulging information about your injuries as you may not know the full extent of the at the time. Anything you say over the phone to your insurance company will be recorded and used against you if possible, so always watch your words when dealing with them.
How Much Will a Tampa Bus Accident Lawyer Cost Me?
All of our Tampa bus accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that you will not be charged a penny upfront, and all of our fees will be recovered from your settlement upon winning the case. We will perform a free care review to determine whether or not you have a case. Following this, one of our bus accident attorneys will be by your side every step of the way through your case. In the event that your case is taken to court, you need not worry. Our bus accident lawyers are well versed in the courtroom and will never give up the fight.
All contingency work is monitored by the State Bar Associations; they regulate how much an attorney can charge and for what. We abide by the rules they set down stringently and will help ensure that you are not taken advantage of in this difficult time.
Contact One of Our Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Have you been in an accident that was not your fault? Have you suffered personal injuries that may also affect your quality of life? Do you think you may be entitled to compensation? Then call us today on (888) 224-6114 and book in a free consultation.
Here, at The Law Place, our attorneys have over 75 years of experience dealing with road traffic accidents such as yours. We are set apart from other law firms because we work together so you can benefit from the collective experience of all of our lawyers. After you have called us, you need not worry about a thing. Our team will take the reins and ensure that you get every penny of the compensation you are due. The actions of the bus driver can often be the cause of the accident, whether it be due to negligence or fatigue.
You can rely on our personal injury lawyers to ensure that the fault is assigned to the correct party. Our number one priorities are to ensure you get the compensation you deserve and that you get the much needed time to rest in this stressful time. Contact us today at The Law Place and book in a free consultation with one of our bus accident lawyers.
