Buses are generally a very safe form of transportation; however, seatbelts and other safety measures are not commonly used in buses.  Additionally, buses are extremely heavy, weighing about the same as an unloaded semi-truck.  So when bus gets into an accident it often ends in severe injuries and/or death.

City buses, county buses, trolleys, tour buses, charter buses, school buses, sightseeing buses, and commercial charter vans are all considered "common carriers" therefore owing a high standard of care to their passengers.  In some bus accidents vicarious liability can be pursued.  This means that the bus company can be held liable for the negligence of its employees that caused injury.  Other bus accidents may involve vehicle defects or manufacturing defects, where the equipment company can be held liable for selling unsafe products.

There are many reasons bus accidents can happen, including restricted views and blindspots in pedestrian-dense areas and roadways, unsafe driving conditions, inadequate driver training, malfunctioning brakes or steering, inadequate maintanence, and impatient drivers in other cars who refuse to stop when a bus is loading/unloading passengers or stopping at railroad tracks.  

Bus accident cases are very complex.  Protect your legal rights and maximize your recovery with an experienced attorney, and call The Law Offices of Reese Harvey today at (561) 691-4511 for a free, no obligation consultation.  We investigate the details of your accident and the facts leading up to it to ensure that you get all the money you deserve and need for your injuries or death of a loved one.

BUS ACCIDENT FAQs

• The Palm Tran bus I was riding was in an accident.  I don't know who was at fault.  I'm feeling sore and stiff, what should I do?  See a doctor right away.  In Florida, buses owned by the government are not requited to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance.  Unless you own a car with PIP or qualify as a resident relative of a person who has PIP, then you will not be entitled to PIP benefits.  However, depending on who was at fault for the accident, you could have a claim against the government entity that owns the bus, the at-fault driver of the other vehicle, or both.  At The Law Offices of Reese Harvey we will gather the evidence (i.e. police report, videos and pictures) necessary to protect your case and fight to get the most money for your injuries.
• I was rear-ended by a tour bus.  The adjuster for their insurance company offered me a settlement the following day, should I accept?  No.  Don't be surprised if you are approached while you are still recovering from your injuries to quickly settle your case.  Even though the amount the insurance company is offering you may sound reasonable, don't be fooled.  Inital offers by insurance companies are typically very low and used to convince victims to sign documents that ultimately sign away their rights to hold anyone responsible for any pain, suffering, loss of income, loss of function, and rehabilitative care.  The insurance company is hoping that you don't understand the law, your legal rights, and aren't going to hire an experienced, well-respected law firm like The Law Offices of Reese Harvey.  Call us at (561) 691-4511 to protect your rights and make sure that you get ALL the money you deserve.   
• A school bus crashed into my car.  Now I have a bad neck injury and might need surgery.  Is there a limit to how much money the government has to pay for my injuries?  Yes. Florida Statutes 768.28 says that the state, its agencies, and political subdivisions may pay up to $200,000 per person or $300,000 per accident.  This means that if your medical bills are over $200,000 the government does not have to pay more than $200,000.  If you have uninsured/underinsured motorists insurance coverage on your vehicle policy then we can make an additional claim for these benefits.  At The Law Offices of Reese Harvey we investigate EVERY possible avenue of recovery making sure that you get all the money available for your injuries, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and lost wages.

* The answers to these questions are not legal or medical advice and should not be relied upon or used as a basis for any particular course of action.  Feel free to call The Law Offices of Reese Harvey.  We will be happy to answer your questions and explain your rights.