West Palm Beach Bus Accident Attorneys

Bus Accident Injuries You May Have Suffered

Bus accidents often result in serious injuries due to the immense size and weight of these vehicles and the lack of included safety features, such as seat belts for passengers. Our veteran West Palm Beach attorneys work with victims suffering from all of the following types of injuries:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): The violent motion of a crash can cause passengers to hit their heads against windows, seats, or other hard surfaces.
• Spinal cord injuries: The extreme forces of a collision can damage the spinal column, potentially leading to temporary or permanent loss of mobility.
• Broken bones and fractures: Multiple fractures are common in bus accidents, particularly when passengers are thrown from their seats during impact.
• Internal organ damage: The blunt force trauma from a bus accident can create serious internal injuries that may not be immediately apparent.
• Whiplash and neck injuries: The sudden impact can cause soft tissue damage in the neck and upper back, leading to long-term pain and limited mobility.
• Other spine and back injuries: Damage to vertebrae and discs can lead to chronic pain and reduced mobility and may require surgical intervention.
• Cuts and bruises: Broken glass and twisted metal can produce deep lacerations and severe contusions that may require extensive treatment.

Any of these injuries could leave you dealing with intense discomfort, limited physical capacity, and an inability to work, making fair compensation vital.

Compensation Available After a West Palm Beach Bus Accident

Following a bus accident arising from negligence, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including:

• Past and future medical costs: Including emergency services, hospitalization, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and any necessary long-term treatment.
• Pain and suffering: Damages for the physical pain and emotional distress experienced during the accident and your subsequent recovery.
• Lost income and earning capacity: Compensation for wages lost during recovery and reduced future earning potential if your injuries prevent returning to your previous role.
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation expenses: Coverage for ongoing therapeutic treatments needed to regain function and mobility.
• Property damage: Reimbursement for personal belongings damaged or destroyed in the accident.
• Home modifications and specialized equipment: The cost of necessary adaptations to your living environment and medical devices required for daily living.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Repayment for the inability to participate in activities and hobbies you enjoyed before the accident.

A qualified attorney can accurately calculate your cumulative losses, both financial and otherwise, and document the impacts they’ve had on your life.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Injuries?

Identifying who bears legal responsibility for the injuries you’ve sustained is crucial to obtaining fair compensation. Establishing liability means determining which party (or parties) must pay for the harm done to you and your property.

Multiple parties may share liability in bus accident cases, including:

• The bus driver
• The transportation company or agency
• Other motorists on the road
• Vehicle or parts manufacturers
• Government entities responsible for road maintenance
• Third-party maintenance contractors

One of your lawyer’s main duties will be to assign liability to all applicable parties and compile evidence demonstrating their failures.

Determining Liability in Bus Accident Cases

To establish that a particular person or entity is legally responsible for your injuries, our attorneys must demonstrate the following:

Duty of Care

The at-fault party had a legal obligation to act reasonably to prevent harm. As common carriers, bus operators are held to an especially high standard of care toward their passengers.

Breach of Duty

The responsible party failed to uphold their duty through negligent actions or omissions. Examples include a bus driver texting while driving or a maintenance company failing to properly service a vehicle’s brakes.

Causation

The breach of duty directly led to the accident and your subsequent injuries. We’ll work to show a clear link between the negligent behavior and the harm you suffered.

Compensable Harm

You experienced injuries, financial losses, and other negative effects as a result of the accident.

At South Florida Justice, we recognize the critical importance of personal injury claims after events like bus accidents. We’re committed to advocating for you and upholding your right to seek fair compensation throughout each phase of the legal process.

Florida Bus Accident Laws You Should Know

Familiarizing yourself with applicable state laws can improve your chances of a successful claim. Here are a few specific regulations you should be aware of:

Statute of Limitations

Under Florida Statute 95.11, you generally have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if your claim involves a government entity (such as a public transit bus), you might have as little as three years to file a Notice of Claim. It's imperative to contact an attorney promptly to protect your rights.

Comparative Negligence

According to Florida Statute 768.81, you may still be eligible for financial recovery even if you bear some responsibility for the bus accident. However, the court will decrease your compensation in direct proportion to your assigned degree of fault in causing the incident.

Government Immunity

Florida Statute § 768.28 outlines sovereign immunity provisions for government entities operating public transportation. These laws create additional procedural hurdles and could potentially limit your recovery.

Our attorneys understand these specialized requirements and can help you take the proper steps to navigate the state’s complex legal pathways.

No-Fault Insurance Laws

Florida Statute § 627.736 establishes the state's personal injury protection (PIP) system, which requires you to seek compensation from your own insurance before pursuing claims against other parties. For serious bus accident injuries, our attorneys can help you step outside this system to pursue comprehensive compensation.

Caps on Damages Against Government Entities

Florida Statute § 768.28(5) limits damages against government entities to $200,000 per person or $300,000 per incident. Our legal team can explore legislative claims bills and other strategic options in catastrophic injury cases.