Do you have questions about your legal rights after a bus accident in Pensacola, FL? If someone else was responsible, you may deserve compensation. An experienced Pensacola bus accident lawyer at Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers can help you fight for fair compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and your personal trauma.
We’re prepared to put over 75 years of collective experience to work for you. Our trusted team has been successfully advocating for clients in the Florida panhandle for over four decades.
Now, we’re here to fight for a full compensation award for you. If you were injured in an accident, call our law offices in Pensacola, Florida, today at (850) 434-3333 to schedule a free consultation with a Pensacola bus accident attorney.
How Can Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers Help You Recover Compensation After a Bus Accident in Pensacola?
Bus accident claims are more complex than typical car accident claims. They often involve multiple defendants, multiple victims, and even government agencies. Someone could even blame you. Bus companies and their insurance adjusters often use these complications to their advantage.
To recover fair compensation, it’s critical to have an experienced Pensacola personal injury attorney in your corner. Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers is prepared to deal with any complication you might face.
When you hire our Pensacola bus accident lawyers, you gain an advocate to:
- Conduct an independent investigation
- Monitor and evaluate all investigations by the authorities
- Analyze your damages to determine your case value
- Work with leading experts in various specialties as we build your case
- Handle the paperwork and insurance communications
- Protect you if the insurance company blames you for your own injuries
- Negotiate with the other side for a full and fair settlement
- Take your case to court if necessary to get a fair deal
The insurance process can be extremely stressful, even in the best situations. Let our Pensacola personal injury lawyers fight for you. Contact us today to explore your legal options and rights in Pensacola, FL.
How Common Are Bus Accidents in Florida?
In Florida, 1,209 buses were involved in motor vehicle accidents during 2023. According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports, 954 people were injured, and 29 victims were killed in those crashes.
Considering that hundreds of thousands of car accidents are reported in Florida each year, bus wrecks are relatively rare. They do have the potential to be more dangerous. Based on FMCSA statistics alone, over 81% of all bus accidents in 2023 caused at least one injury or fatality.
The Escambia County transit authority operates a bus system with 1031 stops in Pensacola. That’s more stops than major cities like Orlando and Tampa. If you were injured in an accident involving a transit bus, school bus or even a tour bus, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for legal assistance today.
What Is My Pensacola Bus Accident Case Worth?
All victims are unique. The circumstances of your accident may be similar to someone else’s, but the consequences won’t be exactly the same. That’s why there’s really no “standard” settlement amount.
The value of your case will depend on details that are specific to your case, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- Your recovery time
- Whether you will suffer a long-term disability after recovering to the extent possible
- The parties involved in the bus accident
- Whether you could be partially responsible for the accident
- Whether you can return to work at the same earning level
- Your medical treatment costs and other expenses
- The impact on your daily life and activities
Our attorneys will analyze every factor that could impact your case value. We’ll work to maximize your case value, enlisting the help of experts along the way.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Personal Injury Victims in Pensacola?
Broadly, accident victims can recover compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages. The nature of your damages will depend on the losses you suffered.
Some common examples of damages in a bus accident case include:
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning potential
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
Our lawyers will work closely with you, your doctors, and other specialists to identify and document your damages. We’ll also consider the types of damages you’re likely to experience even after your final compensation award is paid.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Pensacola?
Injury victims sometimes avoid getting legal help because of the cost. In reality, most personal injury law firms in Pensacola charge contingency fees. Instead of paying upfront, you pay a percentage of your settlement or verdict once your attorney has won money in your case.
What Should I Do If I’m Being Blamed for Causing a Bus Accident in Florida?
If you weren’t a bus passenger, there’s a strong chance that you could be blamed for the accident.
Florida now has a modified comparative negligence law. You lose your right to damages entirely if you were more than 50% responsible for an accident. Even if your share of fault is less, your compensation will be reduced.
Insurance companies often try to take advantage of the shared fault laws. They know accident victims are often in a tough position. It can be tempting to accept any compensation instead of risking losing it all. Know that insurance companies often blame victims without any real evidence.
When you’re being blamed, contact an experienced attorney for a consultation. Our law firm offers a free consultation, so there isn’t any risk.
Our Team in Pensacola Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Bus Accident Injuries
Passengers typically don’t have access to seat belts–making them particularly vulnerable to injuries. Occupants in smaller vehicles are also vulnerable due to the size and weight of the bus.
We often represent bus accident victims who have sustained:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Facial injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve injuries
- Whiplash and other soft tissue damage
- Shoulder injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Crushing injuries
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
While bus accident fatalities are relatively rare in Florida, it’s always a possibility. If you lost a loved one in a fatal crash, call our wrongful death lawyers for the legal advice you deserve today.
What Causes Most Bus Accidents in Pensacola?
Most bus accidents involve some type of negligence or driver error.
Common causes of bus accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Fatigued bus drivers
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Lane departures and unsafe passing
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous and wide turns
- Ignoring traffic laws
- Driving under the influence of drugs or drunk driving
Identifying the cause of your accident is critical to recovering damages after a bus wreck. These cases can be complicated by many factors. It’s also important to remember that different parties can share fault for the same crash.
Our lawyers in Pensacola will conduct our own investigation to find out what happened. Give us a call as soon as possible so that we can start that investigation right away.
How Do I Prove Liability After a Bus Accident in Florida?
Again, nearly all bus accident cases are based on negligence. Negligence is failing to use reasonable caution under the circumstances.
The law breaks down a negligence claim into four elements:
- The defendant had a duty of care
- They breached that duty
- The breach directly caused an accident
- You suffered injuries and incurred damages due to the accident
Bus drivers are common carriers in Florida. That means they owe passengers a heightened duty to drive safely to prevent accidents. Sometimes that can make a case easier to prove.
That said, other parties can also share fault. Often, a negligent bus driver isn’t even the party who will be legally responsible for your damages. Private bus companies and even Escambia County Transit can be liable.
After a bus accident, our lawyers will review the facts carefully. Once we determine who was responsible, we can determine who is legally on the hook for your damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Bus Accident in Florida?
Assuming the defendant is a private party or company, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Once the Florida statute of limitations runs out, you forfeit your right to seek compensation from the responsible parties.
When a defendant is a government agency, like Escambia County Transit, a much shorter deadline applies. You’ll have to provide notice of your claim, and special rules will apply. That makes contacting an experienced attorney quickly even more important.
Contact a Pensacola Bus Accident Lawyer for a Free Initial Consultation
Bus accidents in Pensacola, FL, can be incredibly chaotic. The insurance company may already be asking questions. As the victim, you’re dealing with injuries on top of everything else.
An experienced Pensacola bus accident lawyer at Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers can help. Contact us today to learn more.