Many people in St. Petersburg rely on buses and public transportation to go about their daily activities. This mode of transportation helps people commute everywhere, from work to the grocery store. These vehicles are designed to increase efficiency, so they’re equipped to carry up from 50 to 100 people. Yet, due to their capacity, these methods of transportation can be extremely dangerous in the event of an accident.
Operating companies and bus drivers have a duty of care for all passengers on board. If an accident occurs due to the bus driver’s negligence or operating company, those passengers have every right to seek counsel from a personal injury attorney and seek compensation for their injuries. Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi of Marsalisi Law is a bus accident lawyer that works with victims in St. Petersburg to investigate what caused the accident, apportion liability to the responsible parties, and fight for just compensation from private and public busing companies or other at-fault parties.
Identifying Parties At-Fault is Essential
In most motor vehicle accidents involving two parties, determining which party is at fault is generally straightforward. Assigning blame on the defendants in bus accidents, however, are much more involved. Buses and public transportation are often owned by municipalities and cities. Sometimes, private companies own and operate them. Who you may be able to take legal action against dictates the legal process that follows.
How are Bus Accident Injury Claims Handled When Private Companies are Liable?
Bus accident personal injury lawsuits in St. Petersburg are simplest when private companies are liable, rather than the city. If a private company owns the bus, that company is solely responsible for its employees’ actions. This means that any claim for injuries will be against the bus driver that caused the accident and the private parent company. These claims are often resolved in a reasonable time through insurance policies.
It’s important to note that there is a strict deadline for injured victims in a St. Petersburg bus or public transportation accident to file an injury claim. According to Florida’s Statutes of Limitations § 95.11, victims have four years starting from the date of the accident to file a civil lawsuit for compensation.
How are Bus Accident Injury Claims Treated When Public Entities are Liable?
Injury claim lawsuits become much more intricate and complicated if the city or municipality owns the bus or public transportation that caused the accident. Traditionally, injured victims are not able to sue the government for damages because of protections through sovereign immunity.
Modern laws, however, allow citizens to take legal action against the government for their injuries using the government agency’s own claims system. This claims process looks different in every town and city. While the statute of limitations still remains the same at four years, a claims notice must be filed correctly with the public entity within three years so that they can investigate the claim. If notice is not properly filed within the three years, you may very well forfeit your right to recovery. Additionally, damages are typically capped to $200,000.00 for claims against a sovereign immune entity. Hiring a St. Petersburg bus accident lawyer or public transportation accident lawyer can ensure all filing deadlines are met, and the injured client’s damages are properly accounted for.
Common Injuries in Bus Accidents in St. Petersburg
Buses are enormous vehicles that can cause a lot of damage in the event of an accident. Any crash would move with a great deal of momentum and exert/wield acute forces when they crash with other vehicles or objects on the road. Consequently, bus passengers and people inside smaller vehicles can experience devastating injuries that include:
- Broken bones;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Disc herniations;
- Head trauma;
- Brain damage;
- Concussions;
- Broken teeth;
- Separated joints;
- Death;
Injured victims can seek compensation for their injuries, along with lost wages, property damage, and other damages. A knowledgeable bus accident attorney in St. Petersburg can work with prospective clients and offer more insight into the full value of their injury claim and fight for maximum compensation.
Turn to an Experienced Bus Accident Lawyer in St. Petersburg
Bus drivers have a duty of care to drive carefully and be proactive to protect other motorists and passengers aboard, regardless of whether a private company or government entity owns the bus. If the bus driver violates this duty of care and others are injured in a bus accident, both the driver and parent entity in charge is liable for damages incurred. We have also asserted claims of negligent hiring against both public and private entities. This type of lawsuit can be brought when the bus driver responsible for the accident had a poor driving record, and the entity knew or should have done their due diligence to discover the poor driving history of the bus driver.
A knowledgeable bus accident lawyer can assist you by proving fault and showing evidence of your resulting injuries, including pain and suffering, lost wages, and physical harm. Whether you were injured in an accident involving a city bus or a private bus, you deserve full and just compensation. At Marsalisi Law, Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi works personally with clients to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve. Frank has been awarded as St. Petersburg “Top 3 Personal Injury Lawyers” of 2019. To schedule a free consultation and speak with Frank personally, complete our contact form or call (727) 800-5052.
Marsalisi Law is Where Law Gets Personal!