When you ride a bus, you put your safety into the hands of a driver who is usually a total stranger. Also, most buses lack standard safety features, such as seatbelts and airbags.
A bus’s size and sturdiness give it the appearance of being safe. However, Fort Lauderdale bus accident lawyers do happen, and they often involve serious injuries. The sheer number of people crammed onto many buses can worsen the injury situation. It can also make it difficult to sort out liability and pay damages to victims of the crash.
If you were a passenger in a bus accident, you can file a personal injury claim to recover compensation. The South Florida attorneys at the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine can help you understand your legal options.
We focus on personal injury law. We have helped many bus accident victims recover compensation for their injuries. We can put our knowledge and resources to work in your case and help you get the money you deserve. Call us today at 800-747-3733 for a free consultation.
Can I File a Personal Injury Claim After a Bus Crash?
You can file a personal injury claim if you suffered injuries in a bus crash. There are very few situations in which you cannot seek damages through a claim.
With quality legal representation, you stand a higher chance of winning compensation after a bus crash. Under state law, bus operators must carry much more comprehensive insurance than drivers of standard automobiles. This insurance covers not only the driver and the bus itself, but all the passengers on the bus.
That means we can generally seek higher damages after a bus crash. That is good news for crash victims, who generally suffer worse injuries due to the vehicle’s size and lack of safety equipment.
That said, there are a lot of nuances to how bus insurance policies pay for damages in a crash. Some policies cover each passenger up to a certain limit. Others allocate a pool of money to all passengers involved, and each passenger must file a claim against this pool. This setup can make it more difficult for passengers with severe injuries, such as spinal cord injuries or head trauma, to get their fair share of compensation, as the pool might not have enough money to cover all their damages.
For these reasons, contacting our office as early as possible is a good idea. A Fort Lauderdale bus accident lawyer can examine the bus company’s insurance policy, determine what limits and conditions apply, and determine how to work the policy’s terms to your benefit. Suppose you must recover economic and non-economic damages and move on with your life after the incident. In that case, our attorneys can help you initiate and finish the legal process successfully so you get the compensation you deserve.
Legal Rights of Bus Accident Passengers
When individuals travel by bus, they entrust their safety to the bus driver and the service company. However, accidents can occur, and passengers can suffer significant injuries when they do. In Fort Lauderdale, the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine provide legal guidance to those involved in bus accidents. They emphasize that passengers can file personal injury claims to seek compensation for their injuries. Filing such a claim can be intricate, especially when determining liability and navigating insurance policies. The firm’s expertise in this domain ensures that victims receive the compensation they deserve.
The aftermath of a bus accident can be overwhelming for passengers. Immediate medical attention is paramount, even if no injuries are apparent initially. Some injuries, like internal trauma, may not manifest symptoms immediately but can have long-term consequences. Documenting the accident, gathering witness testimonies, and following medical advice are crucial steps post-accident. The legal team at Anidjar & Levine advises victims to be diligent in their medical care, as the defense can use any gaps to downplay the severity of injuries.
Potential compensation for bus accident victims can cover various damages. Medical expenses, current and anticipated, lost wages due to missed work, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering can be claimed. The firm’s attorneys are adept at evaluating the full extent of damages and negotiating with insurance companies to ensure victims receive a fair settlement. If you’ve been a passenger in a bus accident and are considering legal action, seeking the counsel of experienced attorneys like Anidjar & Levine can be instrumental in your pursuit of justice.
What Should I Do After a Bus Accident?
The first thing you should do after any Fort Lauderdale car accident is to seek immediate medical attention. If you are reading this days or weeks after your accident and have not yet seen a doctor, schedule an appointment immediately.
You should do this even if you feel fine and do not appear injured. You might have internal injuries that are not visible. Such injuries need treatment as quickly as possible. Also, the sooner after the crash your doctor diagnoses them, the easier it is to connect your injuries to the accident when we pursue compensation.
After a bus crash, writing down as much information as you remember from the event while it is fresh in your memory is also essential. If you spoke to any witnesses at the scene, document what they said and note any names or other contact information you collected. We can use this information to bolster your personal injury claim.
Lastly, keeping up with any medical care your doctor recommends is crucial. Failure to do so gives the at-fault party leeway to claim your injuries are less severe than you claim.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Bus Crash?
Depending on the circumstances of the crash, you could be eligible for several types of damages.
Medical Bills
We can pursue the bus company and any other responsible party for your current and expected future medical costs. This includes hospital bills, doctor visits, medication, physical therapy, and more.
Lost Wages
If you have to miss work due to your injuries, the responsible party is liable for the money you cannot earn during this time. The same is true if your injuries from the bus crash reduce your capacity to make a living in the future.
Pain and Suffering
You might be eligible to recover non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, after a bus crash. We can help you win the largest possible award.
How Can I Talk to a Lawyer About My Bus Crash Claim—For Free?
If you suffered injuries in a bus crash, the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine is here to help. Let us put our extensive resources to work for you. To schedule your free consultation, call 800-747-3733.
We Can Help.
