If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, you could be facing hundreds of thousands in damages. From medical bills to lost wages to lost quality of life and so much more, a bus crash is likely to have a significant, life-altering impact. For many Americans, their financial circumstances simply cannot support the weight of these expenses, but you don’t have to bear these costs alone. The party responsible for the crash should foot the bill, and under Florida law, you may be entitled to collect compensation from them.
A North Lauderdale personal injury lawyer at Ged Lawyers, LLP can help you file a claim or lawsuit. Once you give us a call for your free consultation, an injury lawyer can help you get started, explaining rights and legal options. You only pay for your bus accident lawyer if we win your case.
What’s the Average Settlement in a Bus Accident Case?
Unfortunately, we can’t give you a number for the average settlement of a bus accident because every case is different. Your individual settlement will depend on multiple factors, most notably the injuries and losses you’ve suffered and the outcome of negotiations in your case. In general, the law in Florida gives people who are injured the right to recover both economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault party. Together, these categories account for financial losses and unquantifiable physical or emotional losses like fractured vertebrae or post-traumatic stress.
Injured Bus Accident Victims Can Suffer Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in Damages
According to a cost study from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the average cost per crash with injuries for a bus accident was $77,043 in the year 2000. The costs presented in the study represent the value of all costs over a victim’s expected life span, including health-related costs, emergency services, property damage, loss of productivity, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life. Translated into 2023 dollars using the inflation calculator from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, that amount is $139,256.
The takeaway is that you could be facing damages of more than $100,000 due to a bus crash. Your settlement could bring more than that or less, but in either case, obtaining the financial compensation you deserve is difficult without a legal advocate.
Damages We Help You Recover
A North Lauderdale bus accident attorney at our firm can build a case that includes losses, such as:
- Emergency medical services
- Surgical procedures
- Hospital stays
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Vehicle damage and other property damage
- Rental car, rideshare, and other transportation expenses
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Diminished quality of life
- Punitive damages
Wrongful Death Damages for Families of Bus Accident Victims
In cases where the bus accident is fatal, surviving family members of the victim may be able to file a lawsuit for wrongful death. Our personal injury lawyers have experience building claims for families and helping them recover compensation for losses like:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical care expenses prior to the victim’s passing
- Lost economic support
- Loss of services
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of protection
- Loss of parental guidance
- Pain and suffering
Do I Need a North Lauderdale Bus Accident Attorney to Help Me With My Case?
The law in Florida doesn’t require you to utilize the services of an attorney when filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit, but you may strongly want to consider it. Beyond lacking the physical or emotional capacity to take on the rigors of building a case, most accident victims are not equipped with the requisite legal knowledge or insight into the injury claims process.
Choosing to pursue a case on your own could leave you vulnerable to insurance company tactics intended to take advantage of your situation and result in you receiving an inadequate settlement.
Your North Lauderdale bus accident attorney knows the laws pertaining to bus regulations, insurance practices, and accident liability in Florida. We are here to protect your rights and help you recover the money you deserve.
Two Years to File a Bus Accident Claim in Florida
Florida provides two years from the date of the accident to pursue a lawsuit for damages under the HB 837 bill, effective March 24, 2023. The time you have may vary if you have a case against the government or if your injury occurred prior to the new law’s effective date. It’s a good idea to reach out to a bus accident lawyer in North Lauderdale as soon as possible to nail down your legal deadline and avoid losing our right to file a claim.
Who Is Liable for My Bus Accident?
Liability in a bus accident depends on the type of bus involved, who owns it, and the at-fault party in your case. Bus accidents caused by the driver of a heavy-duty vehicle are generally covered under the bus company’s insurance. Crashes involving a Broward County Transit bus are the responsibility of the county government, but government liability is limited in the state of Florida to $200,000 or $300,000 if multiple government agencies are liable. Broward County school district-another government entity-may be liable for school bus accidents.
Can I Sue the Bus Driver?
You cannot sue a government employee unless their actions in causing the crash were in bad faith, malicious, or exhibited wanton and willful disregard for the rights, property, or safety of others. When private companies own and operate buses, there are fewer liability restrictions and you may be able to hold the driver personally liable for the crash. In general, liable parties in bus accidents in North Lauderdale can include:
- Broward County Transit
- Broward County School District
- Individual schools in a private or charter school bus accident
- Bus fleet company, if bus drivers are under a third-party contract
- Charter bus company
- Bus manufacturers
- Third-party vehicle drivers
Call Ged Lawyers, LLP for a Free Consultation With a North Lauderdale Bus Accident Lawyer
Regardless of who is liable for your bus accident, Ged Lawyers will fight hard for you. We have dedicated nearly 30 years to helping injury victims and families recover after devastating accidents. Our accident lawyers have obtained millions for clients who have been in situations like yours. Call us today for a free consultation if you need a North Lauderdale bus accident lawyer.
