Florida Bus Accident Lawyers

According to a report from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there are over 800,000 buses registered in the United States, varying from school buses and transit buses to private charter, cross-county and intercity buses. With the large number of buses on our roads and highways, it is no surprise that bus accidents are a common occurrence.

In Florida, a bus is classified as a common carrier. In order to operate within the state, any common carrier is required to adhere to specific industry regulations in order to keep the general public safe and protected.
School buses, public transit buses and other similar vehicles tend to have a higher center of gravity because of their tall height. When combined with the vehicle’s massive weight and the amount of skill needed to operate it safely, the risk of an accident is very possible.

A bus typically carries anywhere from 16 to 50 passengers at any given time. For this reason a bus accident is deemed more tragic than the average auto wreck because of the larger number of individuals who sustain a serious injury or who are killed as a result of a collision. Injuries commonly associated with bus accidents are spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, broken bones, neck injury, deep-tissue injury, and burn injuries.

If you are involved in an accident involving a common carrier, consult with an experienced bus accident lawyer as soon as possible. The personal injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Philip DeBerard aggressively pursue fair and full compensation on behalf of their clients in South Florida and the Treasure Coast.

Florida Bus Accident Causes

There are countless things that can cause an accident to occur. Among the common causes of bus accidents include:

• Driver error, recklessness, and negligence
• Lack of driver training
• Poor bus equipment conditions
• Improper maintenance
• Mechanical failure
• Poor road conditions
• Bad weather

Establishing liability in bus accidents can be a complex undertaking since a thorough investigation of the facts is necessary. More than one party can often be held liable in such cases, which makes the claim more complicated.
According to the FMCSA, research showed that the majority of the leading causes were driver-related. This includes drivers who did not pay attention to the road, who traveled at fast speeds, followed a vehicle too closely, or failed to observe conditions surrounding the vehicle.

Bus Company Liability

Companies who operate and own commercial buses are legally obligated to ensure that all their vehicles are properly maintained and serviced according to national and state regulations. Failing to do so is considered an act of negligence, as it could possibly take the life of an innocent individual. Bus companies are also required to ensure drivers are properly trained and not overworked.

Free Consultation

Individuals involved in a bus accident may be entitled to a substantial amount of financial compensation. At Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, we will ensure you are given the attention, time, and resources you need in order to maximize the amount of compensation recovered on your behalf.

We have helped thousands of accident and injury victims from all over South Florida and have offices in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, Okeechobee, Palm Beach Gardens and West Palm Beach. Call us toll-free at 1-800-299-8878 or complete our contact form and allow us to put our 40 years of experience to work for you.