Florida Bus Accident FAQs

Yes it does. Claims against buses owned and operated by the government fall under stricter guidelines than privately owned buses. The statute of limitations for filing a claim against Florida municipalities is generally shorter. So if you've been in an accident with a government bus or school bus, you need to move fast to file your claim.

1. Does it matter if a bus owned by the city caused the accident?

2. What should I do if I am injured in a bus crash?

Even before you contact an attorney there are a few things you should do to help you claim.

Get medically evaluated. Your health is most important.
Follow up and follow through on medical advice.
Take pictures of the crash. Many times damage done to a vehicle helps show that you were physically injured.
Get a police report. Police reports can identify witnesses and sometimes reveal the cause of the crash.

Depending on who owns the bus that caused the accident, there are multiple parties that you might be able to recover damages from in you bus accident injury claim.

The bus driver, the owner of the bus (a company or the government), the company that provides maintenance on the bus, or even the manufacturer of the bus (if the bus was defective).

3. Who is liable in my bus accident case? (Who should you sue?)

4. What kind of compensation can I recover if I am injured in a bus accident?

If the accident was cause by a city bus, note that there may be a limit to the amount you are allowed to recover because of "sovereign immunity." Basically the law protects the government. Florida is liable up to $200,000, but if you claim is worth more than that you may have to recover it from other parties.

If a privately owned bus causes the accident, then the normal rules applying to auto accidents and personal injury claims applies. You have to prove negligence.

5. Do I even need a bus accident attorney?

Not every bus accident claim requires the use of an attorney. Claims that involve only personal property damage can probably be settled on your own. However, it doesn't hurt to consult with an attorney. You need to protect yourself in case injuries manifest later. We offer free bus accident consultations and we'll help you find the right attorney even if we can't take your case.

Areas Served in Florida

Will it Impact My Case If I Do Not Immediately Seek Treatment?

Florida Bus Accident Lawyer

If An Injury Does Not Manifest Until Later, What Are My Options for Filing a Claim?

If you have immediately apparent injuries or injuries that manifest later due to the bike accident, then not seeking immediate medical attention will most likely impact your case negatively.

A common occurrence is when a victim of an bus accident has seemingly minor injuries and they can feel fine after the accident. Instead of taking the ambulance to the hospital, they get a ride home. Later on, however, the pain manifests. It could be that night, or days later.

Once the adrenaline from the accident wears off and your body starts to feel pain, you might realize you have a claim for auto accident damages in Florida. It is important to seek medical attention as soon as pain manifests if you haven't already been treated.

When seeking medical attention, it is important to tell your doctor that you have been injured in an auto accident and that the accident is listed as a cause of the pain. Medical providers and insurance companies use specific coding when treating injuries and auto accident victims tend to receive similar types of care.

So if you have sustained a back injury, neck injury, or other type of injury in an auto accident, it is important that the physician notes that in your medical records.

Because there is a shorter statute of limitations in filing a claim against a municipality, you need to make sure you act fast in treating your injuries if you are going to seek compensation for your injuries suffered in the bus accident.