Gainesville Bus Accident Lawyers
If you suffered an injury in a bus or any public transportation-related accident in Gainesville, Florida, the team at Steven A. Bagen & Associates can help.
Our attorneys and support staff are highly experienced in these types of claims and can assist you in determining what driver or company may be held responsible for your injuries. With our assistance, you can recover the full financial compensation you deserve in the wake of this serious incident.
Your initial consultation with our law firm’s Gainesville bus accident attorney is free. We can talk to you about what you have experienced and your primary concerns and questions. We will take the time to offer you honest answers that apply to your unique case.
Gainesville Bus Accident Injury Victims Can Get Help From Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A.
Our Gainesville law firm is committed to delivering results for our clients. For more than 30 years, Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A. has helped Florida residents who have suffered bus accident injuries.
As a result of our work, injured clients have received hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation. The American Trial Lawyers Association has recognized our firm as a Top 100 Personal Injury Firm. We are also designated Super Lawyers, which applies to less than five percent of nationwide attorneys. The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys has acknowledged our commitment to client satisfaction.
Reach out today to learn how our respected legal team with over 100 years of combined experience might help in your bus accident case.
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About Bus Accidents In Gainesville, FL
Public and mass transportation offers many people throughout Florida the opportunity to travel to and from work or school cost-effectively. However, when we board a school bus, commuter bus, or any vehicle, we place our safety in the hands of the bus driver and the company itself. We are also relying on bus manufacturers to make parts free from defects. One mistake or act of wrongdoing can change our lives forever.
Even though buses are big and robust, manufacturers carefully designed them to ensure passenger safety. Despite their reputation as a safe mode of transportation, buses can be dangerous.
When one of these vehicles is involved in an accident, what happens? It’s rare for commuters to consider whether their car or body will survive a collision with a bus, but most people experience devastating outcomes.
In the aftermath of a Gainesville bus accident, you may have more questions than answers.
- Can you receive compensation for your medical bills, mental anguish, and vehicle damage?
- What can you do if you want to prove in court the bus driver or bus company is responsible?
- Are you aware of what steps you need to take to protect your rights and seek damages?
At Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., you can get answers to your questions about bus accidents in Gainesville. The help of a compassionate attorney can make a bus accident much easier to deal with.
Do You Need Help Recovering from a Florida Bus Accident? Our Team Is Here to Assist You
Following a bus accident, victims may feel pain and suffering, both physically and emotionally. The good news is that you don’t have to feel alone or isolated after suffering a serious injury. Our dedicated team is on your side.
Our Gainesville bus accident attorneys are here to help you during this difficult time. We are happy to provide you with a free consultation. Having all your legal options explored will give you all the answers you need to know.
Accidents Involving Florida Buses
Florida has one of the highest numbers of buses registered in the country, as Florida is fourth behind only California, Texas, and New York.
Thousands of buses help with public transportation and tourism but also back up traffic on Florida’s roads. Drivers encounter a variety of buses daily, and the chance for an accident always exists. The number of bus accidents in Florida has been rising in recent years, which is not surprising, and whenever a bus is involved in a wreck, it can cause severe damage to both vehicles and people.
The following types of Florida buses may cause crashes:
- School buses: During the last decade, 40 percent of fatal bus crashes involved school buses.
- Transit buses: In the last decade, 35 percent of fatal bus crashes involved transit buses.
- Intercity buses: In the past decade, 13 percent of fatal bus crashes involved intercity buses.
Causes of Gainesville Bus Accidents
Many bus crashes happen due to mistakes by the bus driver. Fatigue, distraction, undertrained drivers, and road violations all increase the risk of a bus accident. It is also possible for pedestrians and other motorists to be at fault.
In determining the cause of your bus accident, Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A. can help determine who is liable for the accident, including possibly the bus driver and the bus company. Following a crash, determining the factors that contributed to the situation and who should receive compensation requires a thorough investigation. You want the right team to handle this process for you.
What You Need to Know About Determining Fault in a Gainesville Bus Accident
Several parties can be at fault in the event of a bus accident. Understanding who can be held accountable for your accident is crucial to determining the likelihood of the case succeeding in court. At Steven A. Bagen & Associates, P.A., we determine what happened during the accident and who was at fault.
The following parties may be held responsible for a Florida bus accident:
- The bus driver
- The bus company
- The manufacturer
- A negligent driver
- A government agency running a bus operation
An accident involving a bus presents unique challenges. When it is time to file your claims, you may not know whether to hold the bus company, the driver, or someone else at fault. We will guide you through the complex process of determining liability when you hire us.
I Had a Bus Accident in Gainesville Involving a Government Vehicle. What Should I Do?
The government owns, operates, or maintains a large number of buses. This greatly impacts plaintiffs’ compensation options and court outcomes. In such cases, the law protects the government from liability, which sometimes limits victims’ recovery options.
There is good news for victims: Florida has shifted some of these rules (to an extent). In certain cases, the state has waived sovereign immunity, which protects the government from liability. Florida accepts liability for claims up to $200,000. Our Gainesville bus accident lawyers can help you determine which defendants to name in court if your damages exceed this amount.
How Can Florida Bus Accidents Injure You?
There is little comparison between the size of a bus and most cars and other vehicles on the road. The potential damage caused by a collision with a bus is much greater than that caused by a car accident. In bus accidents, the outcome is almost always unfavorable for parties in small passenger vehicles. In most cases, people view survival as a success.
You may have suffered many injuries in your bus accident. It is possible to sustain lacerations, broken bones, and catastrophic injuries.
Here are a few examples:
If you suffered an injury in a bus crash, you should seek the compensation you need and deserve. Victims can seek damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and mental anguish, among other losses.
Compensation Options for Victims
If you’ve suffered an injury in a bus accident, you may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of damages. Your vehicle, your body, or anything else you own is likely to sustain damage due to the crash.
You can recover compensation for the following and other damages if your case settles or wins in court:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death
Act Quickly After a Bus Crash
After a bus accident, act quickly if you want to seek compensation. If you’re losing money due to the accident, you might even receive compensation before the costs become prohibitive if you quickly speak with a lawyer about your accident.
After a bus accident, the best thing to do is to contact a lawyer immediately.
Under Florida law, plaintiffs have four years to file their claim in civil court after a crash.
If victims do not come forward in four years, the court may not hear their case. Most insurance companies will also stop negotiating settlements once these years have passed. Keep in mind the four-year deadline to avoid losing your right to compensation.
What Is the Average Number of Injuries Caused by Florida School Bus Accidents?
The number of fatal accidents involving school buses in Florida is not published. However, the NHTSA provides national statistics for school transportation-related crashes. There are two types of school buses: traditional school buses and other vehicles that function as school buses.
Based on ten years of national statistics on school bus transportation, here are the numbers:
- There were 121 deaths related to school transportation each year.
- Pedestrians and occupants of other vehicles sustained most of the fatal injuries.
- A total of 249 school-aged children died in school transportation-related accidents during the study period: 52 bus occupants, 92 occupants of other vehicles, 100 pedestrians, four cyclists, and one “non-occupant.”
- School buses and vehicles used as school buses struck 48 percent of the killed pedestrians that were school-aged.
- There were 66 passengers and 55 drivers killed in school vehicles.
- Most fatally injured school-aged children were between the ages of five and ten.
Is it Safe for Children to Ride Florida School Buses?
School buses are subject to safety regulations. According to the NHTSA School Bus Safety Page, children who ride a bus to and from school are 70 times more likely to arrive safely than children who drive.
That said, there is always the risk of a serious bus accident. A bus might collide with something or roll over, and child passengers without seat belts can sustain serious injuries.
Further, children are most in danger when they approach or exit a bus. They might get hit by the bus or another vehicle during this time.
What Compensation Can You Seek After Your Bus Crash and Injuries?
There is no simple answer to this question, as there is no one-size-fits-all calculation for accidents and injuries.
Ultimately, how the bus accident and injuries affected you determine the value of your claim. When calculating your losses, our attorneys will consider factors unique to you, such as medical bills, personal circumstances, income, and family circumstances.
Furthermore, how hard you push for a higher settlement will depend on what the other party offers, what you accept, and how much you accept. It also depends on the quality of your legal representation.
Can an Attorney Help Me With My Bus Accident Claim in Gainesville?
Gainesville Bus Accident Lawyer
You will have a better chance of achieving your desired settlement outcome when our bus accident attorneys are on your side. Injury claims are hard to file. Self-insured companies use seasoned insurance claim handlers.
Our bus accident attorneys understand the legal issues and can properly assess and negotiate injury claims. We can also file a lawsuit if necessary.
A free consultation with our attorneys does not oblige you to hire us immediately. It’s as simple as telling us about your accident and determining your legal options. Whether to hire our firm is completely up to you, and you have nothing to lose by seeking a case evaluation.
At our law firm, we represent victims of bus accidents throughout Gainesville, including passengers on buses and other motorists, pedestrians, or bicyclists. We can help you with an insurance claim or lawsuit against whatever person or entity was responsible for causing the accident and your injuries, helping you recover the money you need to rebuild your life.
Contact a Gainesville bus accident lawyer at (800) 800-2575 today for a complimentary initial consultation.
Client Testimonial
“My experience was beyond satisfactory, from the first call with Mr. Bagen for consultation, to working with Megan to achieve the end goal. I definitely want to thank them for their hard work and dedication to my case along with the warm and friendly care. My calls were always returned in a timely manner, and no matter the question I had Megan always helped. I would highly recommend.
Once again I can’t thank you guys enough!” – Teresa S.
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