Palm Beach Gardens Bus Accident Lawyer

Riding the bus may not seem like a dangerous activity. But like any motor vehicle, a bus may be involved in a serious accident due to operator error or some other form of negligence. If you have been involved in such an incident, the skilled Palm Beach Gardens bus accident lawyers at Steinberg Law can represent you in seeking financial compensation from the bus driver, bus operator, and other at-fault parties.

Is a Florida Bus Accident Covered by My No-Fault Insurance?

One thing you may not realize is that if you are injured as a bus passenger in Florida, you still may need to turn to your auto insurance policy first to receive compensation. Florida’s no-fault insurance rules generally cover bus accidents. This means that if you are covered by an auto insurance policy, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits will pay for 80 percent of your medical bills and 60 percent of your lost income up to the limits of the policy.

However, if you sustained a more serious injury in a bus accident–such as a permanent disability or disfigurement–you can file a civil lawsuit against the negligent parties responsible for your injuries. Keep in mind, a personal injury claim allows you to seek full compensation for your accident-related losses–including non-economic damages like pain and suffering–that are well beyond what no-fault PIP benefits cover.

So who can you sue for a bus accident? Depending on the specific facts of this case, potential defendants include:

• Bus Driver — Like anyone who operates a motor vehicle on public roads, bus drivers are negligent if they cause an accident by failing to follow the “rules of the road” or engaging in reckless behavior, such as driving too long without taking an adequate rest break
• Bus Operator — A private or public bus operator is vicariously liable for the negligent acts of their drivers and other employees. The operator may also be liable for negligent training and supervision of staff, as well as failure to properly maintain their buses. One thing to note is that if you sue a public bus operator, such as PalmTran, you will need to follow special rules for personal injury claims against government agencies.
• Other Drivers — If your bus was hit by a negligent driver, that person and their insurance company can be held liable for your damages. The same rules apply here as if you were hit by a negligent driver while driving your own car.

Contact Steinberg Law Today

Bus accidents are typically more difficult to sort out than the typical two-car crash. For one thing, there are often more than two vehicles involved. And there are potentially dozens of victims who sustained serious injuries requiring compensation. And as previously noted, when the bus belongs to a public agency, there are additional rules and red-tape that can delay the processing of personal injury claims.

So if you have been the innocent victim of a bus accident, it is important to be proactive in asserting your rights under the law. Your first step should be to speak with a qualified Palm Beach Gardens bus accident lawyer. Contact Steinberg Law today to schedule a consultation.