A bus accident can leave its victims with life-threatening injuries and potentially permanent disability. If you or a loved one sustained severe injuries in an accident involving a public or private bus, talk to one of the West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine.
Our legal team will protect your rights and fight aggressively to get you the fair compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages. Contact us today for your no-cost consultation and case analysis.
How Negligence Causes Bus Accidents & Injuries in West Palm Beach, Florida
Bus accident injuries occur in various scenarios in which compensation might be available. Bus accidents can affect anyone, including:
- Passengers on the bus
- Drivers or passengers in other vehicles
- Bicycle riders
- Pedestrians
- Bystanders
Some possible causes of bus accidents in West Palm Beach, Florida that may entitle you to compensation include:
Driver Error
Bus drivers may become distracted behind the wheel and collide with other vehicles, pedestrians, or bicycle riders. Driver fatigue, impairment, or inexperience may all contribute to an injury accident. Drivers can also act aggressively or recklessly behind the wheel, putting passengers and other motorists at risk.
Bus Company Negligence
If the owner of the bus fails to service or maintain the vehicle properly, it could lead to a serious injury accident. Likewise, if the bus company does not provide adequate training for drivers or implement passenger safety policies, they may have liability for any injuries that result.
Roadway Obstructions
Bus accidents may occur if the vehicle strikes an obstruction in the roadway or swerves to avoid an unexpected obstacle. Common obstructions include construction equipment, highway workers, and barricades. Open trenches and even large potholes can lead to a serious injury accident.
Defective Equipment
If the bus itself has faulty components, due to design or manufacturing defects, a serious accident can result. A typical example of this scenario involves defective or recalled tires that, upon failure, can lead to severe injuries and wrongful death for passengers and others on the roadway.
The challenge that many bus accident victims face is how to identify the party who had fault for the incident and whether negligence caused or contributed to their injuries.
How Our Bus Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach Can Help You
A bus accident lawyer in West Palm Beach can help victims obtain financial compensation for injuries suffered due to someone else’s negligence.
We understand the challenges of facing off with large insurance companies who seek first to minimize the amount of their exposure for an injury accident. We also understand how painful this experience can be for the victim. Getting the medical care you need to recover can prove difficult if you lack the financial resources to pay out-of-pocket. If your injuries prevent you from working, you may not have enough money to pay your bills or support your family.
We will go to work immediately building the strongest possible claim on your behalf. To accomplish that goal, our team of investigators will gather essential evidence to support your case, which may include:
- Accident reports
- Bus maintenance, inspection and repair records
- Bus company safety policies
- Bus company accident history
- Photos or videos of the accident scene
- Witness statements
- Accident reconstruction
- Medical and safety expert testimony
We will use this and other relevant information to build your claim and submit it to the at-fault party’s insurance carrier. We can push to expedite the negotiation process to seek a settlement for you as quickly as possible.
Acting as an intermediary between you and the insurance company’s representatives, we will protect your legal rights and compel the insurer to negotiate in good faith. If they do not agree to an equitable settlement, we can file a lawsuit and prepare your case for court.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, Over 16 Years of Legal Service
Deciding on a law firm can be a daunting task. You’re putting the success of your case in the hands of another party. If you choose the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, though, you won’t need to worry.
Our team has defended and supported clients since 2006. Not only do we work well together, but we are also experts in supporting our clients. We provide a suite of perks that are designed to make your legal experience hassle-free:
- Clients receive the phone number of the lawyer tasked to their case. No more late nights stressing about unanswered questions.
- We offer consistent and prompt case updates.
- We can assist you in scheduling appointments related to your case. Our representatives can contact doctors or mechanics on your behalf.
This approach to law, one that treats clients as individuals with specific needs, has led to many satisfied clients. Our reviews speak for themselves:
- “Prompt and courteous answers to questions. Great communication from everyone involved. Phenomenal case results. A completely and thoroughly enjoyable legal experience from the beginning to the conclusion of my case. Thank you so much.” –Jos I.
- “I was very pleased with the service I received from The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. I was glad I picked this law firm to represent me. Shire was very attentive and worked hard to make sure all of my concerns were sufficiently addressed. I would highly recommend this law firm to anyone!” –Vivianna J.
You Won’t Pay a Cent Upfront to Work With Our Team in West Palm Beach
Bus accidents can be serious. Your vehicle may be out of commission, leaving you with life-altering injuries. Disabilities can reduce your earning potential.
We recognize that our clients may be coming from a difficult financial position. Therefore, we put two good-faith pricing policies in place that put our clients first:
- Contingency-fee pricing: You won’t need to pay a cent upfront to acquire our services. We work on contingency, meaning we will only get paid if you win your case.
- Free case evaluations: We’ll take the time to meet with you and discuss your case free of charge. We can use this time to understand how we can work together best going forward.
Calculating the Value of Your Bus Collision Claim
To determine the amount of your claim, we will obtain documentation that demonstrates the monetary value of your injuries and other damages. Your recoverable damages may include:
Medical Care for Your Accident Injuries
Our legal team will include the expenses you have incurred to date for medical treatment, including hospital bills, ambulance charges, medication, medical devices, etc. If your injuries require ongoing medical care, we will call on your doctors and other medical experts to determine the value of your future needs, including physical therapy and any adaptation you must make to your home, if you require mobility assistance.
Time You Took Off Work to Recover
The value of your claim will include all lost wages and benefits to date as well as the projected value of your future lost income, benefits, and opportunities. To support this aspect of your claim, we will use wage statements from your employer, industry-specific data, and relevant subject matter expert testimony.
Personal Property Damaged in the Accident
If your accident led to damage or destruction of your car, bicycle, or other types of personal property, we would include the appropriate sums in your claim.
Non-Economic Damages From Your Injuries
If appropriate, we will also include pain and suffering, mental anguish, or lost life enjoyment, along with proportionate values for any permanent disability you may have suffered.
Wrongful Death Damages
If your loved one passed away in a fatal bus accident in West Palm Beach, our law firm extends our sincere condolences to you and your family. You may be able to pursue compensation for some of the expenses and losses you incurred because of your loved one’s death.
Per Florida Statutes § 768.20, only the decedent’s personal representative can submit a wrongful death case. Our bus accident attorneys can help you determine who is eligible to file. Then, we can work with you to pursue wrongful death damages that include:
- The decedent’s accident-related medical bills
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of parental companionship and guidance
- Mental anguish felt by surviving family members
- Loss of protection
- Income the decedent lost from the time of their injury to when they passed away
- Lost inheritance
There may be other damages you can recover depending on the details of your motor vehicle accident case. Our team will explain your legal options and work through your wrongful death case with you when you call us.
Proving Negligence in Your Florida Bus Wreck Claim
After identifying the party or parties at fault for your accident, our legal team will establish liability by demonstrating the legal elements of negligence.
The Bus Owner and Operator Owed You a Duty of Care
Bus owners and operators owe a duty of reasonable care to passengers as well as the community, to ensure public safety.
The Operator or Owner Breached That Duty
If the bus company failed to maintain the vehicle properly or if the driver got behind the wheel after having a few drinks, they have breached their duty of care.
Their Breach Caused Your Injuries
If an accident occurs due to the at-fault party’s breach of their duty of care, they have liability for any damages that result.
You Sustained Damages
When claiming for compensation due to negligence, we must demonstrate your actual damages. We can provide proof of your medical care costs, lost income, personal property loss, etc.
If your injuries arose from an accident caused by a product defect, pursuing a settlement claim will require a slightly different approach, based on the nature of the defect and who is at fault.
Don’t Wait to Begin the Filing Process in West Palm Beach
Bus accident cases are personal injury cases. This means that they adhere to Florida’s personal injury statute of limitations. Per Florida Statutes § 95.11, you usually have two years after your accident to file a claim.
You have the same filing window if you are filing for the loss of a loved one. Per Florida Statutes § 95.11, your deadline is only two years after the accident in this case.
Two years may sound like plenty of time. However, sometimes bus accident cases get sidelined or delayed, and you’ll want to give your lawyer plenty of time to build a case against the liable parties. Some evidence is time-sensitive, and your accident lawyer will want all the time they can get to speak to witnesses, assess the accident scene, and file your personal injury lawsuit.
To avoid the stress of a rapidly approaching deadline, don’t wait to begin the filing process. Our team can advise you on your next steps.
What Should You Do After a Bus Accident?
The aftermath of a bus accident can be messy and stressful. Before worrying about a potential legal case, seek immediate medical attention. If you aren’t faced with any pressing medical concerns, consider taking these steps to ensure the accident is documented properly:
- Take some notes on the accident. Describe what happened and who was involved.
- Gather contact information from involved parties and possible eyewitnesses.
- File an accurate police report. This can act as your personal witness statement.
- Maintain a ledger of medical expenses and obtain contact information for your primary care provider.
- Consider contacting an attorney. They can act as a legal advisor, and their support may result in you receiving a fair settlement.
Documenting your accident is a critical step of any legal case. This evidence can be used to demonstrate the extent of your injuries and can highlight who was at fault in the accident.
Not every bus accident case is the same. If you’re unsure how you should proceed after a bus accident, our legal team can help you. We can advise you on what steps you should take.
Our Injury Lawyers Are Here to Help West Palm Beach Bus Crash Victims
To help you understand your options for filing an insurance claim or lawsuit for your injuries, the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine offers a complimentary consultation and case analysis. Let us help you fight for the financial compensation you deserve after a bus accident.
To get started with your free case evaluation with our bus accident law firm in West Palm Beach, Florida, call us today.
We Can Help.