Bus Accidents Category Archives - South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg Published by Miami Accident Attorneys

Multiple Injuries Reported in Florida School Bus Crash

Published on: August 23, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

We trust school buses to safely transport our children to and from their destinations. If your child has been injured while riding on a school bus, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. Establishing liability in school bus accidents can be complicated, and having the right attorney on your side can make a difference in your case. At our Law Offices, our Miami school bus accident attorneys can analyze the facts of your case and help you understand your legal rights and options.Last week, more than a dozen children were injured in an accident involving a school bus on Interstate 595 in Davie. Specifically, 18 people were sent to the hospital, including 14 minors. Thankfully, no one suffered any serious injuries. The bus crashed with three other cars in the eastbound lane just before the University Drive exit. There is no word from officials as to what caused the crash. The bus was one of seven carrying hundreds of South Florida middle and high school students on an annual mission trip with West Pines Community Church.

More than 450,000 school buses transport children to and from school each day across the country. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school bus-related accidents send 17,000 children to emergency rooms each year. While Florida is one of a handful of states that have implemented safety belt requirements for school buses, injuries continue to take place when school buses crash with other vehicles on the road. Some common causes of school bus accidents include but are not limited to driver negligence, dangerous roads, adverse weather, defective parts, and improper maintenance.

Filing a bus accident case can be complex because there may be a number of liable parties. If a third party caused the school bus accident, you may be able to recover compensation through a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver. However, if the bus driver caused the crash, the process can become a little trickier. In these cases, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the bus company that employs the driver. In many cases, the government operates the bus, and any lawsuits against the government are more difficult and have a shorter statute of limitations. In other cases, the bus accident may have been a result of a mechanical failure, such as a brake or steering defect. In these instances, you may be able to recover compensation through a product liability claim against a manufacturer.

Truck Collides with Florida School Bus, Who is Liable?

Published on: December 21, 2017 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

If your child has been injured in a school bus accident, it is imperative to speak to an experienced Miami motor vehicle collision attorney who can assess the merits of your case. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we can investigate the accident and provide you with an honest assessment of your claim. You can rest assured that we are committed to pursuing the compensation you deserve for your harm.

Earlier this month, a school bus in Highlands County flipped on its side after a crash with a semi truck, which smashed into pieces. Fortunately, all 39 of the students on the bus made it out of the accident alive, although at least 22 people were taken to the hospital following the wreck. The school bus was traveling north on US 27 in the right lane just before 8 a.m., and the tractor-trailer was traveling north on US 27 in the right lane as well, some distance behind the bus. At one point, the bus came to a stop at Lake Ridge Drive to permit students to load the bus. Even though the bus had its flashing lights on, warning other drivers that it was stopped, the truck failed to stop in time and hit the bus.

A number of parties may be liable for a bus accident. In the case at hand, the truck driver who hit the bus would likely be considered negligent and be liable for the crash and any resulting injuries. Negligence occurs when an injury or death occurs due to a person or entity’s failure to use reasonable care. Reasonable care is defined as how a prudent person would act in the same or similar circumstances. Here, a truck driver using reasonable care would have been more vigilant in maintaining a reasonable speed and braking distance and thus would have been able to come to a complete stop when the bus stopped. It is important to note that under Florida law, in some cases, the truck driver’s employer may be liable for the truck driver’s negligence as well.

Taking Legal Action After a Florida Bus Accident

Published on: December 2, 2014 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

The injuries sustained in a bus accident are typically much more severe than those that result from other types of automobile accidents. When bus accidents happen, the consequences can be extremely severe. If you or someone you know has been injured in a bus accident, we can help you take legal action against the at-fault party and get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. We understand that this is a stressful time for your family, which is why you can expect the utmost compassion from our entire team.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported that 11,616,105 vehicles were registered as large trucks and buses across the United States in 2010. Approximately 70,000 of those vehicles were involved in wrecks that same year, which caused injuries to about 106,000 people. On top of that, the FMCSA estimates that almost 4,000 deaths that year were due to large truck and bus accidents. The FMCSA defines a bus as a vehicle that can transport 10 or more passengers at one time.

There are a number of reasons why bus accidents can happen. In some cases, bus accidents are a result of driver negligence. This refers to the failure to take proper care in doing something. Put another way, negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care in one’s actions or omissions. Reasonable care is defined as how a typically pragmatic person would act in similar circumstances. Thus, what is considered ‘reasonable’ will vary depending on the situation. Continue Reading ›