Accidents involving buses in Kissimmee, Florida, can profoundly impact the lives of those involved. Given the size and weight of these vehicles, collisions often result in severe injuries or even fatalities.
In such distressing circumstances, victims and their families face not only emotional trauma but also financial burdens from medical bills, lost wages, and other unexpected expenses.
This is where The Ward Law Group steps in. Specializing in personal injury law, our dedicated attorneys assist clients in navigating the complex legal landscape to seek fair compensation for their losses. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus accident, contact us at 855-DOLOR-55 for a free consultation.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Bus Accident in Kissimmee
Prioritize Safety
Immediately after a bus accident, your safety is the top priority. Check yourself and others for injuries and call 911 for medical assistance. If it is safe, move to a secure location to prevent further harm. Reporting the accident to law enforcement is critical, as a police report will be an official incident record.
Gather Evidence
Securing evidence is fundamental for seeking justice and compensation for any damages or injuries sustained in the accident.
Passengers or witnesses should use their phones or cameras to take pictures of the accident scene, including the bus, other vehicles involved, and any relevant road conditions or signage. Collecting contact information from witnesses is essential, as their statements could support your case.
Key types of documentation include:
- Photographic Evidence: Photos of the scene, damages, and injuries.
- Witness Information: Names, phone numbers, and statements.
- Personal Account: A written or recorded statement detailing your recollection of the event.
Contact a Bus Accident Lawyer
Seeking legal assistance as soon as possible ensures that your rights are protected and evidence is preserved effectively. The Ward Law Group's knowledgeable bus accident lawyers can provide guidance tailored to your incident.
Types of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can fall into several categories, each with unique implications for a claim:
- Collisions with Other Vehicles Often occur on highways or busy city streets.
- Single-bus accidents may involve a bus veering off the road or overturning.
- Pedestrian Accidents: When a bus strikes an individual on foot.
- School Bus Accidents: Involves minors and adheres to strict safety standards. Get in touch with a school bus accident lawyer soon!
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Identifying the root cause of a bus accident is a critical step in the claims process:
- Driver Error: Includes speeding, distraction, or impairment.
- Mechanical Failure: Poor maintenance can lead to brake failure or tire blowouts.
- Poor Weather Conditions: Slippery or obscured roads increase accident risks.
- Negligence in Safety Standards: Non-compliance with regulations can contribute to incidents.
Determining Liability
Determining who bears responsibility requires a thorough investigation:
- Bus Driver: When their negligence leads to an accident.
- Bus Company: If they need to maintain the vehicle or adequately train their drivers.
- School Districts: Specifically for school bus accidents.
- Other Drivers: If another vehicle's recklessness caused the collision.
- Parts Manufacturers: In the case of a mechanical failure due to a defect in parts.
- Government Entities: If public transportation is involved and there is improper road maintenance.
The Role of Bus Accident Injury Lawyers
Case Evaluation and Legal Representation
Our attorneys assess the specifics of a bus accident to identify liable parties, compile evidence, and determine the appropriate legal course of action. They scrutinize witness statements, traffic laws, and other pertinent details to build a robust case.
Legal representation from a skilled motor vehicle accident lawyer is crucial as they navigate the complexities of the legal system, court procedures, and the negotiation process to ensure their client's rights are protected and upheld.
Negotiating for Fair Compensation
Bus accident lawyers are adept at negotiating with insurance companies and other parties to secure fair monetary relief for victims. They calculate the compensation amount by accounting for the full extent of injuries, ongoing medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
The objective is to reach a settlement covering the victim's current and future financial needs resulting from the bus accident. If a settlement cannot be reached, the attorneys are prepared to represent their clients in court vigorously.
Calculating Damages
It is essential to accurately assess the full spectrum of incurred damages to establish a foundation for a personal injury claim. Factors influencing this calculation include:
- Medical Expenses: Immediate and long-term treatment costs, often documented through bills and expert testimony.
- Lost Wages: Financial loss due to the inability to work during recovery.
- Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages based on injury severity and impact on quality of life.
- Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace personal property, such as vehicles.
Monetary Recovery Processes
Once damages are calculated, the monetary recovery process often follows these steps:
- I am filing a Personal Injury Claim: Initiating legal action to seek compensation.
- Negotiation: Involving bus accident lawyers to negotiate with insurance companies or responsible entities for a fair settlement.
- Litigation: Proceeding to trial if a settlement cannot be reached, where evidence is presented to a judge or jury.
- Resolution: Concluding the claim through a jury verdict or settlement agreement, leading to the disbursement of funds to the claimant.
Actual Events Involving Bus Accidents in Florida
Bus Accidents in Florida
- Fort Lauderdale School Bus Accident (2019) In March 2019, a school bus carrying students in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, collided with an SUV at the intersection of West Broward Boulevard and Northwest 27th Avenue. Several students sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital for evaluation. The driver of the SUV was also injured.
This incident highlighted the importance of road safety and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such accidents.
- Walt Disney World Bus Collision (2019) In December 2019, a collision involving two Disney World buses at the Epcot theme park in Orlando, Florida, resulted in multiple injuries. The accident occurred near the park's entrance when one bus rear-ended another. Fourteen passengers were injured and taken to nearby hospitals.
This incident underscored the risks associated with heavy traffic and the high volume of visitors at theme parks, necessitating improved safety measures and driver training.
- Miami-Dade Transit Bus Crash (2020) In February 2020, a Miami-Dade Transit bus collided with a car at the intersection of Northwest 27th Avenue and 79th Street in Miami. The collision resulted in the bus crashing into a building, causing significant property damage.
Several passengers on the bus sustained injuries and were treated at the scene. The accident raised concerns about public transportation safety, proper vehicle maintenance, and driver attentiveness.
Bus Accident Statistics in the United States
In the United States, buses are crucial in transporting large groups of people, including children, commuting to and from school. Approximately 700 million people travel by bus yearly, expecting a safe journey to their destinations. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
While bus collisions represent a small percentage of total fatal accidents annually, their outcomes are often devastating. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), buses and other commercial motor vehicles are statistically more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than passenger vehicles.
Notable Incidents
- Carrollton, Texas (2018) A tragic incident occurred in 2018 when a drunk school bus driver collided with a dump truck, resulting in the deaths of a 10-year-old student and a teacher.
- San Diego, California (2020) On February 22, 2020, a charter bus carrying 21 passengers overturned, leaving three dead and 18 injured. This accident underscored the severe risks involved in bus travel, mainly when safety protocols are not strictly followed.
Even when bus passengers are safe, other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers of passenger vehicles, remain at significant risk due to poor sightlines and negligent driving. Historically, only about 13% of those killed in bus accidents are bus occupants, emphasizing the broader impact on the public.
Frequency and Impact of Bus Crashes
According to the data:
- Annual Bus Crashes: In the United States, nearly 60,000 bus accidents occur annually. While many of these incidents result only in property damage, hundreds of fatalities and thousands of injuries occur annually. Researchers estimate that bus accidents result in around 14,000 injuries each year.
- Trends Over Time: From 2000 to 2018, fatal bus crashes decreased by 29%, while injury crashes increased by 15%. 2000, there were 323 fatal bus crashes, compared to 230 in 2018. However, injury crashes rose from 13,000 in 2000 to 15,000 in 2018. This increase highlights the ongoing need for improved bus safety measures.
Bus Accident Fatalities and Injuries
Between 1998 and 2019, there were 6,770 fatalities and an estimated 567,000 injuries due to bus accidents. Most of the deaths and injuries were not bus occupants. During this period, less than 10% of the fatalities were bus passengers, with the majority being occupants of other vehicles or pedestrians.
State-Specific Statistics
- New York: New York reported the highest number of fatal bus crashes (156) from 1998 to 2019. One of the most notorious accidents was the 2011 World Wide Tours bus crash in the Bronx, where 15 passengers died and 17 were injured. The bus swerved off the road, flipped, and was struck by a metal sign. Driver fatigue was the primary cause, highlighting the need for stringent safety oversight.
- California, Texas, and Florida: These states followed closely with high numbers of fatal bus crashes. In Texas, a 2018 accident involving a truck and a church bus resulted in 13 deaths. The truck driver was found to be impaired by marijuana and prescription drugs.
Types of Buses Involved in Fatal Collisions
From 1975 to 2019, school and transit buses were most frequently involved in fatal crashes. During this period, both buses were involved in 4,702 fatal crashes each.
Although fatal bus crashes have declined sharply since 1975, these statistics underscore the persistent risk associated with bus travel.
Contact a Bus Accident Lawyer in Kissimmee Today
Get in touch with our lawyers for bus accidents right now!
At The Ward Law Group, we understand the profound impact bus accidents can have on victims and their families. With extensive experience handling bus accident cases, our dedicated attorneys are committed to securing fair compensation for those affected.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus accident, contact us at 855-DOLOR-55 for a free consultation. We are here to help you navigate the complexities of your case and fight for your rights.