Hollywood Bus Accident Attorney

In 2016, Florida bus accidents caused five deaths and at least 421 injuries. The majority of victims were bus passengers, not drivers. As common carriers, bus companies and their drivers owe passengers the highest standards of care. If someone breached this standard, resulting in a bus accident and injuries in Hollywood, Florida, contact us. Our Hollywood bus accident lawyers want to help you seek retribution from the at-fault driver, bus company, and/or other parties.

Common Carrier Laws

“Common carriers” are vehicles that provide transportation to passengers as part of a business. Federal and state common carrier laws regulate vehicles such as buses, taxis, trains, cable cars, and ferries to ensure the safety of passengers. Disobeying common carrier laws is a common act of negligence that contributes to bus accidents in Florida. Common carrier laws regulate how a bus company and all of its staff members must treat passengers, operate the vehicle, maintain buses, and more. Common acts of negligence that breach these rules include:

• Bus drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Drowsy bus drivers
• Distracted driving/texting and driving
• Speeding and breaking roadway rules
• Failing to maintain buses in a fleet
• Hiring incompetent drivers
• Failing to properly train new drivers

Any of these actions could result in a bus accident in Hollywood. Bus passengers are the ones most at risk of injuries in bus accidents. While bus drivers typically have seatbelts, most public and private buses do not have seatbelts for passengers. An accident involving a city bus, school bus, charter bus, taxi bus, or party bus could cause injuries to dozens of people at once. Victims of bus accidents should discuss their cases with personal injury attorneys to learn their rights.

What to Do After a Bus Accident in Hollywood

Bus accidents can be especially harrowing and confusing traffic collisions for victims. They often involve dozens of passengers, many different traffic statutes, and several possible liable parties. Hiring an attorney can help you sort through the intricacies of your bus accident case in Hollywood. Fischer Redavid PLLC knows how to investigate these cases to our clients’ best advantage. Here are the steps we recommend you take after a bus crash:

1. Call the police. Call 911 and report the crash if it caused injuries or expensive property damage. The police can file an official report documenting your accident, as well as start an investigation into its cause.
2. Request an ambulance. If you or other passengers are injured, request an ambulance when you call 911 or visit a hospital as soon as possible after leaving the scene of the crash. Keep copies of all your medical records and bills.
3. Document your crash. Start recording the details of your accident from the start. Get the name of the bus company, the bus driver, and the insurance information. Write down as much as you can about the accident, including eyewitness information and your description of how it happened.
4. File an insurance claim. As a bus passenger, you will file an insurance claim with the bus company in charge of the bus that you were on. An insurance claims adjuster will review your case and either accept or deny your claim.

If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, call our attorneys today. We’re more than happy to walk you through what to do after a bus accident right from the start. Our assistance could result in much greater compensation for you, and help cover all your damages from the crash. You may have grounds to file a personal injury claim against the driver, company, and/or another party.