St. Petersburg Bus Accident Lawyer
Were you injured in a bus accident in St. Petersburg, FL? Call Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers to learn about your legal options today. An experienced St. Petersburg bus accident lawyer can help you fight for money to compensate for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Between us, our lawyers have over 50 years of experience in personal injury law. We’ve used that experience to win over $120 million in compensation awards for our clients. Contact our law offices in St. Petersburg, Florida, at (727) 787-2500 to schedule a free consultation today.
Why Trust Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers to Help Me Recover Compensation After a Bus Accident in St. Petersburg?
Even if it seems like you clearly have the right to compensation, personal injury claims are rarely cut-and-dry. That’s especially true in bus accident cases, where multiple parties and even government agencies could share blame.
Most victims have very little–if any–experience with personal injury claims. You may not know whether your settlement offer is fair. Victims are often shocked when insurance companies blame them for getting hurt.
An experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers can handle the legal challenges. Over the years, we’ve earned a Martindale-Hubbell AV-Preeminent rating and a perfect 10 Avvo rating.
Hire us, and you gain an advocate to:
- Investigate to pinpoint the cause of the crash
- Determine who is legally responsible for your damages
- Evaluate medical records, witness statements, accident reports, video footage, and any available evidence that can prove your case
- Deal with the insurance companies and negotiate for a full settlement
- Reject lowball deals and fight for you in court if necessary
Our St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers are here to help you get every cent you deserve. If you were injured because someone else was careless, let us help you get justice. Call today for more information about your options.
How Common Are Bus Accidents in Florida?
Bus accidents are relatively rare when compared to typical car accidents. Nearly 395,000 car accidents were reported statewide in 2023. Over 250,000 people were injured.
By comparison, 1,209 Florida bus accidents involving buses were reported to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
That said, buses are large and heavy and likely to cause significant damage in a crash. 954 people were injured in bus crashes, and 29 victims unfortunately were killed. In other words, over 81% of all bus accidents caused at least one injury or fatality in 2023.
At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of bus accident claims, including those involving:
- Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) buses
- School buses
- Airport transit buses
- Private charter buses
- Freebee shuttle buses
- Trolleys
- Tour buses
- Greyhound buses
- Flixbus
If you were injured in an accident involving a bus in the Tampa Bay area, our experienced attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve. All you have to do is contact us today to get started.
How Much Money Is My St. Petersburg Bus Accident Case Worth?
The value of your personal injury claim depends on the unique facts and circumstances, including:
- The overall severity of your injuries
- Your prognosis for making a full recovery
- The amount of income you’ve already lost during recovery
- Your current financial losses, including medical costs
- Your reasonably likely future costs, based on your recovery prognosis and your need for ongoing care
Our St. Petersburg bus accident attorneys will carefully examine these and other factors that are relevant to your case. With our trusted team by your side, you can rest assured that your settlement or verdict fairly reflects the losses you’ve suffered.
What Kinds of Compensatory Damages Are Available to Bus Accident Victims in St. Petersburg?
Whether you file a claim with insurance or sue the at-fault party for damages in court, your compensation should include money for economic damages and non-economic damages.
Your recoverable damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental health issues, including severe depression, PTSD and anxiety
- Humiliation
- Inconvenience
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
When assessing your damages, it’s important to evaluate all the ways the accident and injury have impacted your life. That’s because the damages you recover will depend on the specific losses you have identified.
Who is Responsible for Paying My Damages If I Was Involved in a Bus Accident in St. Petersburg?
It depends on the circumstances. Bus accidents typically happen because of negligent driving. If the bus driver was negligent, their employer can be held responsible.
Possible examples of responsible parties after a bus crash include:
- Private bus companies
- Pinellas County transit authorities and other government agencies
- Third-party drivers
- Manufacturers of defective bus parts
- Tour bus drivers
- Companies hire to inspect and maintain a bus or fleet of buses
Public transportation is generally a safe way to get around. That said, no one can ever guarantee your safety. When others are negligent and cause injuries, our attorneys in St. Petersburg are here to help you hold them accountable.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Florida?
Our lawyers in St. Petersburg work on a contingency fee basis. You only pay attorneys’ fees if we recover compensation in your bus accident case. When we do, your fees depend on exactly how much compensation we recover. When you hire us, you’ll agree to pay a flat percentage of your settlement or verdict.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for Contributing to the Cause of a Bus Accident in Florida?
Liability is shared by anyone who caused the bus accident. As an injured party, you could still share some blame for the accident. The impact on your compensation will depend on the percentage of blame allocated to you.
Under the modified comparative negligence law in Florida, you lose your right to damages once your share of fault exceeds 50%. If you’re allocated less than 51% of the blame, your compensation is reduced in direct proportion to your share of fault.
Our Attorneys in St. Petersburg Will Fight to Get Compensation for All of Your Bus Accident Injuries
Bus accident victims often struggle with serious injuries after a crash, including:
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage, including whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Knee injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Seek medical attention at the nearest hospital in St. Petersburg after an accident. Prompt medical care is the best way to protect yourself. It will also serve to link the accident to your injuries if you later file a claim for damages.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Bus Accidents in St. Petersburg?
Buses are strictly regulated as common carriers in Florida. Still, bus drivers aren’t always the most careful drivers. Human error and negligence are the most common causes of bus accidents.
More specifically, the following factors are most likely to play a role in causing a bus accident:
- Distracted bus drivers
- Fatigued bus drivers
- Speeding and ignoring other traffic laws
- Wide turns
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Inexperienced or underqualified bus drivers
- Tailgating and failure to account for the bus’ longer stopping times
- Lane departures and passing too closely
- Aggressive driving
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drug use
- Drunk driving
- Failure to maintain the bus in a safe condition
Whether you were a bus passenger, driving your own vehicle or merely walking down the street, you can count on us to determine the cause of your injuries. Get in touch today to learn more about how a lawyer can help.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Bus Accident in Florida?
Negligent driving is the leading cause of motor vehicle accidents in Florida. Negligence requires proof of four discrete elements:
- The at-fault party’s duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation, meaning that the breach caused the crash
- Damages, or the losses suffered by the victim
Our lawyers know how to locate evidence to prove these elements. While you focus on your physical recovery, we’ll be conducting our own investigation into the crash.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Bus Accident in Florida?
The statute of limitations in your case depends on the circumstances. Most personal injury victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. When government agencies are defendants, however, very specific rules apply. You could have only a matter of months to get the ball rolling.
The key thing to remember is that once time runs out, you lose your right to damages entirely.
Contact a St. Petersburg Bus Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you or a family member were injured in a bus accident, call Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for legal help today. A skilled St. Petersburg bus accident lawyer can help you fight for the money you need or deserve.