Bus accidents can lead to serious consequences, causing significant injuries to passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers. Whether the accident involves public transportation buses, school buses, or tour buses, the injuries can be severe and the recovery process long. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus accident in Orlando, it’s important to seek experienced legal help.
Tony Caggiano Personal Injury Lawyer helps victims of bus accidents get the compensation they deserve. We understand the challenges you face after a bus crash, especially when dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and long-term recovery.
Our Orlando bus accident lawyers are here to fight for you and guide you through the legal process to ensure a fair settlement. If you’ve been injured, we are ready to review your case and work towards obtaining the compensation you need to move forward.
Why You Need an Orlando Bus Accident Lawyer
A bus accident can be complicated. It involves multiple parties, including the bus driver, bus company, and possibly government entities. Having a skilled Orlando bus accident lawyer can help you understand the legal process and protect your rights.
Some of the important reasons why having a lawyer is crucial include:
Complexity of Bus Accident Cases
Bus accidents often involve complex factors such as driver negligence, poor maintenance, and issues with bus manufacturers. A skilled bus accident attorney can help identify all responsible parties and ensure that the right legal actions are taken to protect your interests.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies may try to settle your claim for less than you deserve. An experienced bus accident lawyer knows how to handle insurance companies and will fight for the full compensation you are entitled to. They understand the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts and will work to protect your financial future.
Maximizing Your Compensation
A bus accident attorney can help you recover all types of damages, from medical expenses to lost wages and pain and suffering. They will work to ensure that you receive a fair settlement for both immediate and long-term needs, including future medical care, rehabilitation costs, and emotional distress.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Orlando
Bus accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, often involving negligence or unsafe conditions. Understanding the common causes of bus accidents can help you better understand your case and who is responsible for your injuries.
Driver Negligence
Driver negligence occurs when a bus driver fails to follow the rules of the road, putting passengers and others at risk. This can include actions like reckless driving, speeding, driving under the influence, or being distracted, such as texting or talking on the phone while driving.
Negligent driving by a bus driver can lead to accidents that cause serious injuries to passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists. If the bus driver was at fault, the bus company may also be held responsible.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Poor vehicle maintenance can also be a major cause of bus accidents. If a bus company fails to regularly inspect or maintain its buses, it can lead to mechanical failures that cause crashes. Problems like brake failure, worn-out tires, or broken lights are often the result of negligent maintenance practices.
Bus companies have a responsibility to ensure their vehicles are safe and in good working condition. If the bus company neglects this duty, it can be held liable for the accident and any resulting injuries.
Road Hazards and Poor Conditions
Road hazards and poor conditions can cause bus accidents. Things like potholes, slippery roads, or uneven pavement make it harder for a bus driver to control the vehicle. If the bus driver tries to avoid these problems and crashes, it can lead to injuries.
The city or local authorities may be responsible for not fixing the road properly, which can make them liable for the accident.
Passenger or Pedestrian Factors
Sometimes, passenger behavior or actions by pedestrians contribute to accidents. Passengers who stand up while the bus is moving or act recklessly can cause the driver to lose focus or control.
Similarly, pedestrians who cross the street unexpectedly or without paying attention can cause accidents. This behavior can lead to injuries for both the passengers and others around them.
Injuries Commonly Seen in Bus Accidents
Injuries from bus accidents can vary, but they often result in serious injuries due to the size and weight of the bus. Some common injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries: Can lead to permanent paralysis or loss of motor function.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Often caused by a sudden jolt or impact, these injuries can affect memory, cognition, and speech.
- Fractures: Broken bones, especially in arms, legs, and ribs, are common in bus accidents.
- Internal injuries: Damage to internal organs from the force of the accident.
- Emotional distress: Psychological trauma, including anxiety or PTSD, may occur after a bus crash.
- Whiplash: Neck injuries that occur from the sudden stop of the bus or collision.
Determining Liability in an Orlando Bus Accident
In a bus accident case, it’s important to figure out who is responsible for the injuries. Determining liability can be complex and may involve several parties.
Here’s how liability is determined in bus accident cases in Orlando:
Bus Driver Negligence
If the bus driver was at fault, they may be held liable for the accident. This could include cases of reckless driving, speeding, or failing to follow traffic laws. In these cases, the bus driver’s personal insurance or the bus company’s insurance may cover the damages.
Bus Company Responsibility
If the bus company failed to properly train the driver or didn’t maintain the bus properly, they may be held responsible for the accident. Bus companies are required to ensure that buses are safe and that drivers are qualified and rested.
Government or Municipality Liability
In some cases, government entities like the Lynx bus system may be liable if their buses cause an accident. However, sovereign immunity laws can make it harder to file a claim against government agencies. A Tampa bus accident lawyer can help you understand your legal rights in these cases.
Third-Party Liability
Sometimes, third parties are responsible for the accident. This could be other motorists, maintenance contractors, or bus manufacturers. If faulty parts caused the crash, the manufacturer could be held liable. A skilled personal injury lawyer will investigate all parties involved to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
Compensation Available for Bus Accident Victims
Victims of bus accidents may be entitled to various forms of compensation, depending on the severity of their injuries and the circumstances of the crash.
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses: Includes hospital visits, surgeries, and ongoing treatments.
- Lost wages: Compensation for income lost due to the accident.
- Property damage: Repairs or replacement for damaged personal property.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain caused by the accident.
- Emotional distress: For the mental impact of the accident, including PTSD.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If the accident prevents you from enjoying daily activities.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded. These are intended to punish the at-fault party for gross negligence or intentional harm and to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Steps to Take After a Bus Accident in Orlando
After a bus accident in Orlando, taking the right steps is crucial to protect your health and strengthen your bus accident claim.
Here are the essential actions to take after a traffic accident involving a bus to ensure that you get medical attention and the financial compensation you deserve for severe injuries and other losses.
Call 911 and Seek Medical Attention
The first thing you should do after a bus accident is call 911 and seek medical attention immediately. Even if your injuries seem minor, some injuries, like whiplash or internal injuries, may not show symptoms right away.
It’s important to get checked by a medical professional to prevent further damage. Prompt medical attention ensures your injuries are documented, which is essential for your bus accident claim.
Report the Accident
Next, make sure to report the accident scene to the police and file an accident report. This report will serve as an official document detailing the events of the crash.
If the bus was involved in a crash with passenger vehicles or motor vehicles, the police report can help determine who was at fault and support your claim for financial compensation.
Collect Evidence at the Scene
It’s important to gather evidence at the accident scene. Take photos of the damage to the bus, other motor vehicles, and any road hazards that may have contributed to the crash.
Collect the contact information of witnesses and other involved parties. This evidence will help your bus accident claim and can be crucial in proving liability for severe injuries and damages.
Contact an Orlando Bus Accident Lawyer
Contact a skilled Orlando bus accident lawyer as soon as possible. They will help you understand the legal process and handle the complexities of dealing with insurance companies.
An Orlando bus accident lawyer will work to ensure you receive the financial compensation you are entitled to, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering from the bus accident.
FAQs
What should I do if I am injured in a bus accident?
If you are injured in a bus accident, seek medical attention immediately. Report the accident to authorities, collect evidence, and contact an experienced Orlando bus accident lawyer. They can help you pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and any permanent scarring or nerve damage you may have suffered.
Can I file a claim if my loved one dies in a bus accident?
Yes, if a loved one dies in a bus accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. An Orlando bus accident lawyer can help you understand the legal process and work towards obtaining compensation for funeral costs, loss of income, and emotional pain.
How do I pay for a lawyer if I can’t afford one?
Many personal injury lawyers, including those at Tony Caggiano Personal Injury Lawyer, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you only pay if you win your case, making legal services affordable even for those without up-front payment.
Who is liable in a bus accident?
Liability in a bus accident depends on the cause of the crash. It can be the at-fault parties, such as the bus driver, the bus company, or even government entities if the accident involved public transportation. A lawyer will investigate all factors to determine responsibility and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Can I recover compensation for emotional pain after a bus accident?
Yes, you may be entitled to non-economic damages for emotional pain and suffering. Emotional distress and the impact of permanent scarring from the accident can be part of the compensation awarded, depending on the severity of the injury and how it affects your life.
Contact Our Orlando Bus Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been involved in a bus accident, Tony Caggiano Personal Injury Lawyer is here to help you seek justice and recover compensation for your injuries. We understand how difficult it can be to deal with medical expenses, lost wages, and the emotional toll after an accident. Our legal team is committed to guiding you through the process with experienced legal counsel.
We offer a free case evaluation to help you understand your legal options and determine the best path forward. Whether you’ve suffered permanent scarring, nerve damage, or other severe injuries, we are ready to fight for your rights.
Contact us today for your initial consultation, and let us work together to build a winning case that gets you the compensation you deserve.