Weston Bus and Van Accident Attorney
Consult an Experienced Injury Attorney in Weston
While many individuals drive their own cars in South Florida, some rely on public transportation or vehicles designed to carry multiple people at once, such as buses and vans. Unfortunately, accidents involving these vehicles can still happen. According to the NHTSA, there were 113 occupants killed in school transportation vehicles from 2012-2021.
If you are involved in a bus or van accident, the injuries can be significant, requiring costly medical treatment. You shouldn’t bear the financial burden of someone else’s negligence. To seek compensation for your injuries, contact a Bus and Van Accident Attorney at Justin Morgan Law. Attorney Justin Morgan has recovered over $100 million for his clients and was chosen as a Lawyer of Distinction 2023 in Florida as published by The National Law Journal.
Contact Justin Morgan Law toll-free at 1-800-9-JUSTIN (1-800-958-7846) for a free consultation.
Risks Associated with Buses and Vans
Buses and vans pose certain risks due to their design and nature of use. Factors contributing to the increased risk of accidents include:
- Size and weight: Buses and vans are much larger than passenger vehicles by design in order to transport multiple people at once. Consequently, buses and vans are more difficult to handle and maneuver, creating a higher risk of accidents, especially in tight and crowded spaces. Additionally, buses and vans have a higher center of gravity, making them more prone to tipping over.
- Blind spots: The sheer size of buses and vans creates more significant blind spots, increasing the risk of collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians.
- No seat belts: Many buses and vans lack passenger restraints, exposing occupants to dangers during abrupt maneuvers or collisions.
- Driver error: Bus drivers, all humans, make mistakes, but the consequences can be severe when transporting multiple passengers—whether due to fatigue, inexperience, or inattention.
- Improper maintenance: The constant use of buses results in wear and tear on parts, such as tires, and brakes, potentially contributing to accidents.
Liability Issues Involving Buses and Vans
Generally, all individuals owe a duty to exercise reasonable care to prevent injuring others. Someone is liable for negligence if they breach that duty of care and consequently injure someone. Liability concerns for bus and van accidents differ from ordinary passenger vehicles. Liability considerations include:
- School zones: All drivers, including bus drivers, may have a higher duty of care to exercise caution in school zones to avoid injuring children crossing the street. Reduced speed limits are posted to help ensure the safety of children. Furthermore, school bus drivers are responsible for ensuring the safety of the children riding the bus and must be extra careful to protect them from harm.
- Immunity: Certain government entities, such as school districts and County buses, have strong protections of civil liability for injuries under certain circumstances. This may involve completely barring a claim for damages or limiting the damage award for certain cases. In Florida, this protection is called “Sovereign Immunity.”
- Commercial vehicles: Like buses, there may be an increased risk of injury associated with commercial passenger and delivery vans. Factors that support a lawsuit for negligence may include driver error, poor maintenance, as well as improper loading or overloading of the vehicle. The business entity may be liable for the injuries caused in an accident involving a vehicle they own and operate.
The Role of an Attorney
Bus and van accidents often involve unique circumstances and liability issues. To achieve a favorable outcome, it is essential to hire a lawyer with experience in bus and van accident litigation. A qualified attorney is crucial for identifying case key facts, investigating evidence, and pursuing or defending a claim for liability.
If you have been involved in a bus accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other damages.
The talented litigators at Justin Morgan Law will fight tirelessly on your behalf. We’ve recovered over $100 million in compensation for our clients. Our team has been helping people get the money they need to put their lives back together for over 20 years.
Contact Justin Morgan Law today toll-free at 1-800-9-JUSTIN (1-800-958-7846) to schedule a free consultation and explore how we can assist in getting justice on your behalf.