A bus accident can be devastating. After all, a typical transit bus weighs up to 44,000 pounds when carrying passengers. In contrast, a car weighs only about 3,000 pounds. All that added weight, speed, and unsafe road conditions can significantly damage your body and car.
A bus driver's negligent actions, especially when injuries are involved, may entitle you to significant compensation. Of course, navigating the legal system for your personal injury case isn't easy. Paperwork has to be filed at just the right time. Negotiating with insurance companies can be a headache. All the while, you're dealing with painful injuries and mounting bills.
Luckily, you don't have to fight for a settlement alone. A personal injury lawyer can take care of all the paperwork, communications, and litigation so you can focus on your recovery. As a result, there is a good chance you'll receive a significantly higher settlement than trying to battle the insurance companies alone. You can use this money to pay medical bills, compensate for lost work, and keep your family afloat during this difficult time.
The Ward Law Group knows how difficult it can be for regular people to obtain a fair settlement. Our firm is dedicated to helping English-speaking and Spanish-speaking individuals living in or near Miami Lakes.
Personal injury law is complicated. An unknowing mistake or two can cost you thousands of dollars. Wouldn't you rather entrust your claim to someone with intimate knowledge of the insurance companies and their "tricks"?
Bus Accident Statistics for Miami-Dade County
Automotive technology continues to improve, making driving safer and reducing the chance of significant injuries. Unfortunately, unsafe road conditions, human error, reckless driving, and being under the influence of drugs and alcohol still puts drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at risk. This is especially true in heavily populated or metropolitan areas like Miami-Dade County.
In fact, in 2017, Miami-Dade County had the highest total crashes in the state. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 65,986 reported vehicle crashes involving 32,389 injuries occurred. By comparison, Broward County-number two on the highest crash list-had only 41,337 crashes with 24,762 injuries. Broward County had a 1% reduction in crashes compared to the previous year, while Miami-Dade County saw crashes increase by almost 3%.
Of course, bus accidents only account for a small percentage of these crashes. Miami-Dade County, however, experienced a 7.40% increase in commercial motor vehicle (including bus) crashes from 2016 to 2017.
Heavily congested areas don't make life easy for bus drivers. As mentioned earlier, a transit bus carries much more weight. And, let's face it: bus drivers are prone to making errors, just like we are. Unfortunately, given the size and weight of their vehicle, their margin of error needs to be much smaller to avoid an accident.
With car and commercial vehicle accidents rising in Miami-Dade County, you need to know what to do if you are injured in a bus accident. Contacting The Ward Law Group may be necessary to sort out the facts and file your claim properly.
Types of Bus Accident Injuries
We've all seen those huge buses on the roads and highways. A pedestrian or small car is no match for the size of a transit bus. A person involved in a bus accident can sustain severe injuries or even death. These injuries can keep you from work or leave you permanently disabled. As a result, your life becomes turned completely upside down.
Common Injuries Associated with Bus Accidents
If you survive a bus accident, then consider yourself lucky. Of course, you may be dealing with significant injuries, including:
- Broken Bones
- Whiplash or neck problems
- Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Bulging or ruptured intervertebral discs
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Nerve damage and paralysis
- Muscle damage
- Broken ribs
- Burns and abrasions
These serious injuries can affect your life well into the future. While you worked hard to establish your life, raise a family, and earn a living, everything changed in a fraction of a second. When you suffer an injury from a bus accident that wasn't your fault, The Ward Law Group can help you recover expenses and secure compensation for your pain and suffering.
Florida Law & Auto Accident Compensation
Florida's law is different from that of many other states. It has a "no-fault" car accident policy. What does this mean for you? If you are involved in an accident involving injuries, you must file a claim with your insurance policy under your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. Unfortunately, your PIP only covers a specific dollar amount, and that's after you pay your deductible.
The "no-fault" law doesn't apply to damage to your car. You can file a claim with the other driver's insurance if your vehicle is damaged.
But what if you have significant or permanent injuries? If your PIP coverage isn't enough to pay for medical bills and other expenses related to a bus accident, then you can sue the other party for damages. Of course, this can be a tricky process. Florida is a "pure comparative negligence state." This means if the case goes to trial, a judge or jury will consider all this information and calculate the percentages of fault for each driver. For example, if you are seeking $5,000 for medical bills, but you were found to be 20% at fault, then you will only receive $4,000.
This is precisely why you need an experienced personal injury lawyer to review your case and determine how to secure appropriate compensation. A lawyer may find aspects of your claim that you accidentally overlooked. After all, the bus company and manufacturer may also be to blame because of faulty equipment, failure to maintain the bus, and inadequate policies or safety procedures.
Why Choose The Ward Law Group for Your Personal Injury Claim?
Gregory Ward used to work for insurance companies. He saw how deserving families suffered because of their greed. He knew this was wrong. After all, families affected by a serious car or bus accident need more money than insurance companies already raking in record profits. This is why he started The Ward Law Group.
When you call The Ward Law Group, you will have an ally throughout your claims process. The Wards will investigate your case and determine how to obtain compensation to pay for your injuries, property damage, pain and suffering, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity. The Wards will work tirelessly to secure your family's future, allowing you to focus on recovering from your injuries.
Maximizing Your Claim: Immediate Steps to Take After a Bus Accident
A bus accident is a seriously traumatic event. Your health and safety should be your number one concern. If you are injured, then seek medical help immediately. Even if you aren't experiencing pain or other symptoms, it is best to get checked out by your doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries don't exhibit symptoms until days or weeks after an accident. Also, reports from a doctor are necessary pieces of information when filing a successful claim.
If possible, have someone take pictures of the scene and request the contact information of any witnesses. The more evidence you collect, the better your chances of securing a successful claim.
When your injury results from someone else's negligence, don't accept a quick (often lowball) settlement from the insurance companies. Consult with a personal injury lawyer. An attorney can get the claims process started, allowing you to relax. After all, who wants to deal with complicated paperwork and long hours on the phone (usually on hold) while struggling with pain and health issues?
How The Ward Group Can Help
Insurance companies make money by paying the least amount possible for a claim. They may immediately deny your claim, ignore your correspondence, and starve you out of compensation until you settle for less. Spanish-speaking individuals involved in a bus accident may be more vulnerable to getting short-changed by insurance companies. After all, even those fluent in English have a hard time understanding the claims process. Insurance companies know this, and you can believe they use it to their advantage.
The Ward Law Group will ensure this won't happen to you. The Wards have extensive knowledge of Florida laws and insurance companies' tricks to diminish your settlement. With both English and Spanish-speaking attorneys, The Ward Law Group helps residents of Miami Lakes work through tough times and still come out on top.
The law limits the time you have to file a personal injury claim. In Florida, you have four years to file from the date of your bus accident. Don't hesitate to get the help you need. Calling 855-DOLOR-55 will start securing your family's future!