Any kind of motor vehicle collision could have devastating effects on everyone involved, from serious physical injuries to emotional trauma. If the collision is with a large bus, the impact can be much worse than a crash between two regular passenger cars. The larger size of the bus means it will hit the car with more force than another car would, and you also need to consider the impact to the passengers, both in the car and on the bus.
If you have been hurt in a bus collision—whether you were in the car, a passenger on the bus, or a pedestrian— a Pinellas Park bus accident lawyer can provide guidance on your legal options. Our experienced personal injury attorneys at Herman & Wells are ready to help you with your case.
Operating a large and heavy vehicle, such as a bus, requires a significantly higher level of skill and awareness than a standard passenger car. The enormous size and weight of such vehicles make it easier for the driver to lose control if they are not careful, so simple driver error is a common cause of bus accidents.
There are countless ways a bus driver could make a mistake that, unfortunately, results in a collision. Some of these errors are the same as those made by car drivers, such as:
Because of their role in providing a means of mass transportation, bus drivers also have responsibilities to their passengers and to any nearby pedestrians. As such, bus operators must be constantly aware of their surroundings to avoid hitting a pedestrian or causing a passenger to fall while on board.
Such errors come under the legal term of “negligence.” This is when someone owes others a duty of care but breaches that duty, and someone else gets hurt. Anyone behind the wheel of a motor vehicle owes a duty to everyone else on the road to drive safely, and failing to do so could be a breach of that duty. As buses are generally considered common carriers, drivers owe a higher duty of care and diligence to other vehicles and their passengers.
Proving negligence requires a careful and thorough examination of the facts and circumstances of an accident. An attorney can help by gathering evidence and talking with witnesses to determine if the bus driver was responsible for causing a collision in Pinellas County.
A large bus is generally not a vehicle that most people own or drive on a regular basis. The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), which is a government agency, manages and operates the fleet of buses, routes, and schedules. As a result, filing a claim for injuries from a bus accident can be more complicated because the PSTA could have sovereign immunity that prevents it from being a party to a civil claim.
However, under the Florida Statutes § 768.28, the state and its agencies waive some of their sovereign immunity for liability claims caused by negligence, so a bus crash victim could file a claim if driver error caused the accident. While there will still be challenges, a lawyer can help victims of bus accidents in Pinellas Park navigate these challenges and represent their interests.
If you have been hurt in a bus crash, you may be able to recover financial compensation for your hospital bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. An injury case based on a bus collision presents some complexities, and a Pinellas Park bus accident lawyer can provide you with expert advice on your options.
At Herman & Wells, we have plenty of experience and are compassionate about helping those in need, so you can feel confident and secure having our legal team on your side. Call today to schedule a free meeting with one of our attorneys.
