Buses are used in many environments. In Florida theme parks, buses are used to transport tourists to attractions. Around cities, they are used as mass transit. Church groups, schools, airports, and other organizations all rely on these motor vehicles to transport people.
Yet while bus accidents are less common than car accidents, these collisions do happen. Common types of bus accidents in Cooper City and the surrounding area include:
- Passenger bus accidents. Passenger vans can hold up to 15 people and are often rented by organizations for special events. These vehicles have a low center of gravity and are subject to rollovers. In fact, The Department of Transportation has issued warnings about 15-person passenger vans because of the risk.
- Shuttle bus accidents. Shuttle buses are smaller vans which are used to transport people to airports and attractions. Tour operators use them for small groups, too. Some of these buses have airbags and seatbelts, which helps reduce the risk of serious injury. However, many of these buses also transport heavy luggage, which can become airborne in an accident and cause serious injuries.
- School bus accidents. Children who are on school buses are at risk of accidents if the bus rolls over, crashes into another vehicle, or is in a collision. School buses do not have seatbelts and children may not always know how to stay safe in the event of a crash.
- Inter-city buses. Buses like Greyhound transport people from city to city and across states. They are an environmentally-friendly and affordable form of transit, but the long hours on the road can mean driver fatigue and can lead to crashes.
- Public transit bus accidents. Buses provide an alternative to cars and taxis, and city bus drivers are trained extensively to operate the vehicles safely. Since city buses are sharing busy Florida roads with others, however, accidents can and do happen.
What Kinds of Injuries Are Common?
Injuries from bus accidents can range from minor to life-threatening. These injuries include:
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Contusions and bruises
- Facial injuries
- Fractures
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Amputations
- Crushing injuries
Do I Have a Claim?
If you have been in a bus accident and have sustained injuries or losses, including property damage and loss of income, you may have a claim if negligence played a role in the accident or your injuries. For example, if someone hired an unqualified driver or if another driver on the road was driving drunk and this caused the crash and your injuries, you may have a claim.
Often, it is not immediately apparent exactly what caused an accident. In addition, a bus accident is likely to be complex. There may be multiple liable parties and some of the defendants may be large companies or even government agencies. For all these reasons, you may want experienced legal representation in your case.
If you have been injured in a bus accident, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with our legal team. We have more than 60 years of combined experience and have already secured over $100 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients. Contact us today to find out if you may have a claim.