When a bus accident leaves you with severe injuries, your whole world can be turned upside-down. There may be medical bills to pay, time spent away from work, property to replace, and more. To make matters worse, it can be difficult to identify who is responsible.
You do not have to face these issues alone. A bus accident lawyer in The Hammocks, FL from The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine is here to help you navigate your bus accident case. If you or a loved one was in a vehicular accident involving a bus in The Hammocks, FL, our personal injury team can help you identify liability and collect the compensation that you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation.
Identifying Liability in a Florida Bus Accident
There are a few parties who could be responsible for your damages.
Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Laws
Florida is a no-fault car insurance state. This means that regardless of fault, your insurance policy is responsible for covering your initial damages. Unfortunately, bus accidents generally involve particularly severe damages that can exceed your maximum no-fault coverage.
Filing a Third-Party Lawsuit
If your damages exceed Florida’s no-fault coverages, you may be eligible to file a third-party lawsuit against the responsible party. The first step to filing a third-party lawsuit is establishing fault. A bus accident lawyer in The Hammocks, FL from The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help with that.
There are a few entities that could be responsible including another driver, the bus driver, a mechanic, a parts manufacturer, or even the city.
Pure Comparative Negligence
It is possible for more than one party to be at fault in a bus accident. Even if another party attempts to place some of the blame on you, Florida’s pure comparative negligence laws protect your right to collect compensation for a portion of your damages.
Recovering Damages from a Bus Accident in The Hammocks, FL
Bus accidents can leave you with extensive injuries that require multiple medical procedures and extended time away from work. You might suffer broken bones, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding, paralysis, and more. Fortunately, you have a few options available to you to recover your damages.
Florida’s no-fault insurance laws will generally cover:
- Non-emergency medical bills
- Portion of lost wages
If your losses, expenses, and injuries exceed the no-fault insurance coverage threshold of $10,000, you can file a third-party lawsuit against the responsible party to pursue additional damages. Depending on the details of your case, you may be able to recover:
- Future medical bills
- Property damages
- Lost work benefits
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Rehabilitative costs
If you lost a loved one in a Florida bus accident, you and your family may be eligible for compensation to cover funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and lost future earnings through a wrongful death lawsuit.
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How a Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case
The legal process surrounding bus accidents can be confusing and complex. The best steps to take depend on the details of the bus accident. It is best to work with a bus accident lawyer that is familiar with Florida’s laws and requirements for collecting compensation.
Free Consultation
You can discuss the details of your bus accident case with a member of our team at The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine with no obligation to you. Call us today for your free consultation.
Build Your Case
When establishing a strong case to support your claim, the first thing we will need to do is identify the cause of the accident. These could include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Driving under the influence
- Poor weather
- Poor mechanical upkeep
From here, we can determine who is responsible for the negligence that led to your bus accident. Drivers on the road have a legal duty of care to your safety and driving in a way that is negligent breaches that care. Additionally, city bus drivers operate under common carrier laws, meaning that Florida holds them to a higher standard of care.
We will collect information such as the police report, witness statements, photos or videos of the scene of the accident, and driving logs. We also work closely with expert witnesses that can help us build your case as needed.
Navigate Your Legal Case
Navigating a legal case following an accident can be overwhelming. Our legal team will be there for you every step of the way. We will manage all communications, filings, and time requirements, leaving you free to focus on your recovery.
In some bus accident cases, we can negotiate a settlement. A settlement can offer you the compensation you need to move past the accident while cutting down the time and cost of a lengthy legal process. However, if the responsible party’s insurance company does not offer you a fair amount for your incurred damages, then our legal team is ready to fight on your behalf.
Florida’s Bus Accident Filing Requirements
Florida limits the time in which we can file a bus accident to just four years from the date of the accident. While this may seem like a long time, keep in mind that it can take time to build your case.
Additionally, if the city or government agency is to blame, then we have just two years to file. A bus accident lawyer in The Hammocks, FL can help you stay on track to file within the state’s guidelines.
Reach Out to a Bus Accident Lawyer in The Hammocks, FL, Today
You do not have to navigate your bus accident alone. The lawyers at The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine are ready to help you fight for the compensation that you deserve. Call us today for your free, no-obligation consultation.
