West Palm Beach Bus Accident Lawyers

If you were injured in an accident involving a bus, you could be owed significant compensation. Contact an experienced West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer right away to get the skilled legal help you deserve. With over 40 years of experience helping people like you get justice and fair compensation after a serious injury accident, we will be ready to put our experience and resources to work for you.

Call Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. for a free consultation today. We will be ready to discuss your accident and help you understand your rights and legal options.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents

Bus accidents can lead to severe or possibly fatal injuries. Passengers and others on the road depend on drivers to be well-trained and exercise care and caution when behind the wheel.  The driver and the company that employs them are responsible for following federal regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Florida state laws. When their negligence leads to an accident, the consequences can be severe.

Some of the most common causes of bus accidents include:

• Speeding
• Bus defect or mechanical malfunction
• Fatigued driving
• Failure to yield
• Unsafe lane changes
• Tailgating
• Driving too fast for road or weather conditions
• Driver impairment by drugs or alcohol
• Sudden braking
• Turning too fast

When you hire a West Palm Beach bus accident lawyer from Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A., we can review your case to determine what caused the crash and whether the bus driver or another party is at fault. You might be entitled to financial compensation for the injuries and losses you suffered.

Common Injuries Caused By Bus Accidents

Buses are large vehicles that can cause severe or catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage when involved in a crash. Some of the most common injuries associated with bus accidents include:

• Concussion, whiplash, or traumatic brain injuries
• Back, spine, and spinal cord injuries (including paralysis)
• Internal organ damage
• Broken or fractured bones
• Cuts and lacerations
• Soft-tissue injuries

If you’ve been injured, you have the right to hold the negligent party or parties accountable for the harm you’ve suffered. Many people are unaware that they could be owed significant compensation after a bus crash. The fact of the matter is, if the bus driver or another party was negligent and caused you harm, you should not have to pay out of pocket for the losses you’ve incurred.

Determining the Value of Your Case After A Bus Accident

Commercial carriers must have specific insurance coverage depending on how many passengers their buses can transport. These limits are a requirement set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. They are:

• $1.5 million – Bus with no more than 15 passengers
• $5 million – Bus with more than 15 passengers

Unfortunately, you might be limited to your own auto insurance policy’s coverage since Florida is a “no-fault” state. As a “no-fault” state, you may have to turn to your insurance company first for compensation after an accident. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is coverage all motorists must purchase with a minimum limit of $10,000. The insurance company could pay for your medical treatment, lost wages, and other costs up to the coverage listed on your policy.

Once you exhaust your PIP insurance, you might be entitled to compensation from the commercial carrier, school district, or government entity that employs the driver responsible for the crash. However, your injury must meet the serious injury threshold under Florida law:

• Significant and permanent disfigurement or scarring;
• Permanent injury;
• Permanent and significant loss of use of a vital bodily function; or
• Death.

You could recover compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Physical impairment or disfigurement
• Lost past and future earnings
• Cost of a rental car
• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Pain and suffering
• Inconvenience
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Mental anguish

If you’ve been severely hurt, you deserve compensation for what you’ve been through. An experienced bus accident lawyer could help you recover the money you need to pay your medical bills, recoup lost wages, and move on with your life.

Why You Should Hire Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A.

Our attorneys have extensive experience handling bus accident claims throughout Florida. When you hire us, we will sit down with you during a free and 100% confidential consultation to discuss what happened. We’ll then immediately commence a thorough investigation of the crash.

Gathering evidence is crucial during an accident investigation. Evidence our team will look for might include:

• Traffic crash report
• Video surveillance of the accident
• Statements from witnesses
• Your medical bills and medical records
• All available insurance policies
• The bus driver’s employee records and qualifications
• Damage estimates for all vehicles involved in the collision
• Accident scene photos

Our team will seek the maximum compensation possible for your injury claim, whether at the negotiating table or in the courtroom. Whatever it takes to get justice, we’ll demand it on your behalf.

There are strict deadlines for filing an injury claim. There’s a statute of limitations in Florida that applies to all motor vehicle accidents. If you need to file a lawsuit, you have four years from the crash date to do so. If the deadline passes, the court will refuse to hear your case. Because time is limited, don’t hesitate to reach out to an attorney for help as soon as possible.

Contact Us

If you’ve been hurt in a bus accident, Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. can help. We have the experience necessary to take on commercial carriers, government entities, school districts, or any other party responsible for your crash. Call us today at (561) 689-8180 for a free consultation and let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.