(213) 596-0265
·
info@teninalaw.com
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Mon - Fri 09:30am-6:00pm
(213) 596-0265
·
info@teninalaw.com
·
Mon - Fri 09:30am-6:00pm

Bus Accident

Bus Accident attorney

A California Bus Accident Attorney You Can Trust

With over 20 years of experience and a 98% success rate, our lawyers have helped thousands of California residents and won millions of compensation. If you suffer from an injury, contact us now!

At Tenina Law, our car accident lawyers understand the gravity of injuries resulting from bus crashes, which can often be more severe compared to other types of vehicle accidents. The absence of crucial safety measures, such as seatbelts, puts passengers at significant risk of sustaining serious injuries. If you have been injured in a bus accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. However, obtaining the compensation you deserve can be a challenging process.

Many buses are owned and directly operated by government entities, which means filing a claim can be subject to stricter rules and shorter deadlines for legal action, particularly in Florida municipalities. This complexity can pose difficulties for attorney who are not well-versed in the intricacies of the claim process.

Fortunately, our experienced attorney at Tenina Law have a proven track record of successfully handling bus accident claims against both private parties and government entities. We are committed to ensuring our clients receive the full compensation they are entitled to.

Whether you were a passenger on the bus or a third party affected by the accident, you may be eligible for compensation for the damages you have suffered. We invite you to reach out to our bus accident lawyers for a complimentary consultation, where we can discuss your case with no charge or obligation.mous phone caseelf bar 1500elfbar romanias10 phone casetelefoonhoesje fiets

 

Our Bus Accident Process

Documentation

Your assigned legal team will first gather all the records related to your claim, including medical records, bills, and insurance policy information. These documents will help your lawyer understand the extent of your injuries and build a strong compensation case.

Investigation

Your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident, collecting all necessary evidence. This may involve reviewing dashcam footage, security camera recordings, and police records to support your case.

Negotiation

Your attorney will skillfully negotiate with the defendant outside of court to secure the compensation you deserve. If settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, your attorney will be fully prepared to take your case to court.

Ready to talk to our Bus Accident Lawyers?

Bus Accident FAQs

How Can a Bus Accident Attorney Help Me?

A bus accident lawsuit can be a complex process due to the involvement of multiple parties who may be responsible for the crash. If a third-party driver caused the accident, your attorney can assist you in seeking compensation by filing a lawsuit against the negligent driver and their insurance company. However, if the bus driver is at fault, the process becomes more intricate.

In cases where the bus is owned and operated by the government, your attorney will strive to negotiate with the government’s insurance company. If your claim is rejected, you may need to file a lawsuit against the government. To ensure that you receive full compensation for your losses, it is crucial to engage an attorney with expertise in handling such lawsuits.

Florida imposes strict deadlines and rules that must be adhered to to be eligible for compensation. Without legal representation, you may risk losing your chances of recovering damages.

At Tenina Law, our attorney have extensive experience in handling third-party personal injury claims, negotiating with insurance companies, and pursuing claims against the government. We have established connections with leading experts in various fields, including medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and automotive safety experts, to bolster your case.
We will:

  • Examine accident and police reports
  • Interview other passengers and witnesses
  • Take pictures of the accident scene and any injuries you sustain
  • Medical reports can be analyzed
  • Experts recreate accident scenes and scenarios
  • Answer correspondence from opposing parties and their insurance companies

 

Liability and Lawsuits for Bus Accidents

 

Negligence

The majority of bus accident lawsuits are rooted in negligence, which occurs when a person fails to act responsibly in a given situation, leading to harm to another individual. Bus drivers have a higher duty of care compared to regular motorists, making it potentially easier to establish negligence. Your attorney will gather compelling evidence to demonstrate that the other party acted irresponsibly, supporting your compensation claim. They will use this evidence to prove your lack of responsibility for the accident.

Product Liability

If your vehicle or the vehicle involved in the accident had a defect at the time of the incident, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the car manufacturer. However, this is only applicable if the defect played a role in causing the accident. Your attorney will thoroughly investigate the case to determine if any defects were present in the vehicles and, if so, whether those defects were a contributing factor to the accident.

Additionally, they will collaborate with experts to assess if the vehicle had manufacturing flaws, labeling issues, or other related problems. To succeed in a product liability lawsuit, plaintiffs must demonstrate the following:

  • The defective part or bus was “unreasonably hazardous”
  • The bus was operated according to its intended purpose
  • The performance of the bus has not changed since it was purchased

Some product liability suits against manufacturers were based on defective brakes, tires, seats, windows, and fuel systems.

Wrongful Death

If you have lost a loved one in a bus crash, you may have the right to seek compensation through a legal claim. Our attorney understand that no amount of money can bring back your loved one, but it can potentially help alleviate the financial hardships you may face as a result of the tragedy.

In most wrongful death cases, the claim will typically be filed based on negligence or product liability. In certain situations where the death resulted from a deliberate or malicious act or a blatant disregard for life, punitive damages may be awarded.

Potentially Liable Parties

  • Bus driver
  • Florida State, private companies, and other government entities are all considered to be the owner of the bus.
  • Bus maintenance company
  • Bus manufacturers or bus parts manufacturers
  • The Florida municipality where the accident occurred
  • Negligent third parties

Florida State Government Liability Limited

Recovering compensation may be more challenging if the bus involved in the accident was owned, operated, or maintained by the government. Sovereign immunity provides the government with protection from liability, potentially limiting the amount of compensation you can receive or even preventing any recovery at all.

However, in Florida, there are certain circumstances where the state has waived its sovereign immunity, making it liable for specific claims up to a certain limit. Currently, Florida is responsible for claims up to $200,000. It’s important to note that claims exceeding this amount are not protected by sovereign immunity. If your damages are sought to surpass $200,000, your claim may need to include multiple defendants to pursue the full extent of compensation.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents

Buses are commonly perceived as a safe mode of transportation. Bus drivers are considered common carriers and have a legal duty of care towards their passengers. Moreover, buses also should exercise care towards all other vehicles on the roads. If a bus driver fails to fulfill this duty and an accident occurs as a result, the driver may be held accountable for the resulting damages. In Florida, bus accidents can be caused by various factors, such as:

  • Fatigued bus drivers
  • Driving under the Influence
  • Distracted drivers
  • Bus drivers who are not adequately trained
  • Traffic regulations not being followed
  • Overloaded buses
  • Poor bus maintenance

To establish negligence on the part of the bus driver, the injured person must demonstrate the following elements:

  • Duty of Care: The bus driver had a legal obligation to exercise care towards their passengers or other vehicles on the highway.
  • Breach of Duty: The driver either failed to fulfill this duty by not taking necessary actions or took actions that breached their duty of care.
  • Causation: The breach of duty directly caused or contributed to the occurrence of the injury.

School Bus Accidents

Children being transported in school buses are classified as common carriers, and they are entrusted with the duty to safeguard their passengers. The law acknowledges that children require special attention and additional protection. Bus drivers are obligated to operate their vehicles following all relevant rules and regulations, prioritizing the safety of the children under their care. While the liability typically applies when children are on board the bus, there are circumstances where the driver must ensure their safety even outside the bus.

If the school entity, school bus owner, or bus driver fails to fulfill any of the following responsibilities, they may be held accountable for any injuries suffered by a student:

  • Use the bus with care
  • While students are boarding and leaving the bus, activate safety measures such as flashing red lights and stop signs.
  • Before allowing a child out of the bus, make sure that traffic has stopped.
  • Monitor the safe crossing of a road by a child.

The liability will be determined by the specific duties that are in place in the district where the accident happened for drivers and school buses. The claims process may be complicated, and a bus accident attorney may need to assist you. This is because the personal injury protection insurance (PIP) that a parent carries may cover some costs associated with the injury sustained by their child in a school bus accident.

Common Bus Accident Injuries

Lack of safety measures for passengers on buses increases the risk of serious injury or death in an accident. Bus accidents can result in injuries such as:

  • Brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Whiplash
  • Burns
  • Broken bones
  • Lacerations
  • Seizures
  • Paralysis
  • Death

 

What Compensation Can Be Recovered?

A bus accident victim who is involved in negotiations or litigation with an insurance company, Florida state, other government agencies, or negligent parties may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical Expenses in the Past and Future: These may include hospitalization, surgeries, assistive devices, and fees for emergency rooms.
  • Loss of Wages: Bus accident victims who were injured may be entitled to compensation for the wages they would have earned if the accident hadn’t happened. If the victim was not working at the time of the accident, they could be entitled to lost wages as long as they can prove that they had the potential to earn during this period.
  • Suffering and Pain: This is compensation for physical pain resulting from injuries sustained during the accident. When determining the amount of damage, factors such as the severity of the injury and the expected duration of pain are taken into consideration.
  • Mental Pain: The victims may be compensated for the emotional pain they have suffered as a result. It can be used to compensate victims for emotional distress such as fright, anxiety, embarrassment, and grief. Parents may not be able to recover damages for emotional distress resulting from an injury that their child suffers in a bus accident. Only certain cases allow recovery.
  • Loss of Consortium: A spouse who is not injured by a bus accident can recover damages due to the loss of marriage benefits, sexual relations, and affection.

 

Contact Our Accident Attorney for a Free Case Evaluation

If you or a loved one have been involved in a bus accident, the skilled legal team at Tenina Law is here to provide the dedicated representation you deserve. Our experienced attorney understand the complexities of bus accident cases and will work tirelessly to protect your rights and seek the compensation you need for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. With our commitment to achieving justice, you can trust Tenina Law to guide you through every step of the legal process. 

Contact us today for a consultation and let us fight for your rightful compensation.

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If you need any helps, please feel free to contact us. We will get back to you with in 1 business day. Or if in hurry, just call us now.

Call :
213-596-0265

info@teninalaw.com Mon – Fri 09:30-18:00

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