Miami Accident Lawyer Blog
On Friday, August 3, a “World of Kids Transport” bus crashed on Interstate 595, in Davie, FL. The bus was transporting members of the West Pines Community Church group, who were heading to visit foster children and put on a free car wash. It was to be a day for the teenagers to volunteer in the community. The accident occurred in the eastbound lane, west of University Drive. A bus passenger, Nicole Salomon, said she saw two cars try to cut in front of the bus. Two cars skidded, turning all the way around before colliding with the bus. Ultimately, the crash involved the bus and three other cars. Four adults and 14 minors were transported to Plantation General Hospital and Broward Health medical Center due to minor injuries. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, including speaking with witnesses and gathering surveillance footage from nearby businesses. If your child was injured in a bus accident in Broward or Miami-Dade County, do not hesitate to speak with an attorney about your options. Our car-bus collision lawyers at Gerson & Schwartz P.A. are here to review your situation and advise you on your right to pursue compensation. Contact us at (877) 475-2905.
Bus Crash Statistics
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) gathers statistics on bus accidents along with large truck accidents. Based on the most recent 2016 data, 4,440 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes. The number of buses, specifically, involved in fatal crashes was 227 in 2016, a decrease of 14 percent from 2015. Between 2002 and 2016, on average, inter-city buses accounted for 13 percent of fatal accidents. School buses accounted for 40 percent, and transit buses made up 34 percent of fatal crashes. Thankfully, not all bus accidents are fatal. In 2016, there were an estimated 15,000 injury-causing crashes involving business. These accidents led to approximately 35,000 people suffering injuries.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents are far more rare than typical vehicle collisions. However, they occur for many of the same reasons. Bus accidents can be caused by negligent bus drivers. A bus driver may be overly tired, distracted, or in rare cases, intoxicated. Distraction is a serious issue, particularly for bus drivers with a full load of children. There are also situations in which a bus driver is simply careless while behind the wheel and does not drive to the standard taught through their training. The driver may drive faster than the weather or road conditions allow. They may ignore traffic devices and signs. While a negligent bus driver puts passengers and other vehicles at risk, many bus accidents are caused by other vehicle drivers. Cars do not always give large buses the space they need on the road. They may try to speed around the bus, cut in front of it, or ride in their blind spots. All of these issues can lead to a car-bus collision, which can harm the bus passengers.
Pursuing Compensation After Suffering Bus Accident Injuries
If you or a loved one were injured in a bus crash, whether it was a school bus, a charter bus, or some other bus, you should contact a car-bus accident lawyer at Gerson & Schwartz P.A. Buses rarely have seatbelts, and when they do, very few people wear them. Bus seats are designed to be safe in minor-to-moderate accidents. However, in serious crashes, the padded seats may not be enough. Bus passengers can be significantly or catastrophically hurt. Bus passengers can suffer broken bones, neck and back injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and much more.
When a bus passenger suffers harm in a crash that was another person’s fault, they should speak to an experienced personal injury attorney about seeking compensation for their injuries. At Gerson & Schwartz P.A, we will thoroughly investigation a bus accident to determine what went wrong and who is liable. Bus drivers are typically employees, and if they caused the accident, we will pursue compensation from their employer.
We can help bus accident injury victims obtain compensation for their:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Mental anguish
- Physical pain
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Reduced earning capacity
To learn more about your right to compensation after a bus accident, contact Gerson & Schwartz P.A. at their Broward Office at (954) 845-0535 to schedule a free consultation.