More and more Americans are relying on public transportation to travel between work and home every day. This is especially true in large cities, such as Pembroke Pines (population >170,000 residents). There are a lot of reasons why one might opt to ride the bus. For example, gas money savings, no vehicle maintenance, and the fact that vehicle ownership is almost always an expensive endeavor... Public transportation is truly a wonderful thing. It reduces the number of cars on the road, thereby reducing congestion and the incidence of automobile collisions.
Moreover, riding the bus is statistically safer than driving your own vehicle. But, of course, public transportation accidents do happen. And, unfortunately, bus collisions are much more complicated than your average automobile accident. Why? Because when it comes to bus accidents, multiple parties may be at fault for the incident. Now, you're going to be contending with elements such as the bus driver, equipment manufacturers, the management company, and much more. Because of these nuances, you're going to need an experienced legal team to navigate the hoops and hurdles.
The Ward Law Group is one such team. Our firm is equipped with highly trained, passionate attorneys who have nearly a decade of experience in handling bus accident and personal injury claims. Additionally, our attorneys offer bilingual legal services to the Spanish community. So, if English is not your primary language, you can still get the compensation that you deserve. Get your claim started off on the right foot by contacting us today!
Personal Injury & Bus Accident Statistics For Pembroke Pines, FL
One good thing about bus accidents: You are less likely to be seriously injured than you would be in a car accident. According to the Department of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the year 2016 saw a total of 7,702 bus accidents. This figured included 268 accident-related injuries.
Again, you must consider that these cases do happen and when they occur, they're much harder to handle than your average claim. Of course, you will likely encounter more hardships than just a personal injury in your case. There are still other factors to consider, such as property damage, lost wages, and psychological trauma.
Stepping into a courtroom and fighting for anything is already a stressful situation. This fact is only compounded when you add mental trauma and bodily harm to the mix. You should never take on this challenge by yourself. Always enlist the aid of lawyers who know the lay of the land. In that regard, count on The Ward Law Group to make the whole process much smoother for you. Don't handicap yourself by adopting a DIY approach. Secure the maximum settlement possible out of your claim today!
Types of Bus Accident Injuries
One of the most common causes of bus accidents is dangerous driving conditions. According to Broward Palm Beach New Times, Pembroke Pines is America's second most dangerous city for driving. Furthermore, in 2012, Broward Intersection was named the most dangerous intersection in the country. These assessments were derived from comparative statistics and rising trends over time.
Usually, bus accident injuries are relatively minor. That being said, the number of severe and incapacitating injuries that occur from these collisions is far from negligible. Of course, any time bodily harm is added into the equation, your case only gains another layer of complexity. Types of injuries that may result from bus accidents include:
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Internal Bleeding
- Bruises & Lacerations
- Burns
- Ligament Damage
- Bone Fractures
- Herniated Disks
- Wrongful Death
- ...and more.
Naturally, these items just represent a few possibilities. Some of these may seem too minor to warrant legal action. However, in reality, you should always contact a skilled lawyer when you suffer a personal injury resulting from negligence. Look no further than The Ward Law Group for award-winning, effective, and compassionate legal consultation. We are here to make sure that you receive the maximum compensation possible for your pain.
Florida Law & Bus Accident Compensation
First of all, make certain that you file your claim within Florida's statute of limitations. You have a period of four years to file your claim in order to be eligible for compensation.
The most complicated business behind bus accident cases is determining who is at fault. For example, if the bus is owned and operated by the local government, your claims process is going to be much different than it would be if the bus was privately owned. If the transportation vehicle is privately owned, for example, you will have to file a claim with the bus company and its insurer. If the driver of another car is at fault, things become a bit more typical. You can file a claim with the driver's insurance company. Lastly, if the bus is owned by a government agency, you must meet three circumstances to file a claim:
- Your injury must have been caused by a wrongful act or negligence
- Your losses must be able to be remunerated through monetary means
- The nature of the accident resulting in personal injury must be such that the offending party would have been liable if it were a private party
All of this is pretty difficult to absorb. However, you can easily avoid a headache by turning to The Ward Law Group. They will handle all of these legal particulars and more. Of course, that's not even the best thing about recruiting an experienced team of attorneys. When you do, you'll find that you're likely eligible for even more forms of compensation than you initially assumed. In addition to property damage and medical expenses, you may also be able to receive compensation for loss of consortium, lost earnings capacity, psychological distress, and much more.
Maximizing Your Claim: Immediate Steps to Take After an Accident
The process of responding to an automobile accident of any kind is typically the same across the board. Generally speaking, your first mode of action should be to focus on your health and the health of those around you. Contact emergency responders, seek out medical evaluation, and make sure that you get treated for your injuries if you have any.
Providing that you are physically capable, absorb as much information about the accident as possible. Request a copy of the police report, exchange contact information with involved parties, and take as many pictures as you can. Snap some images of any property damage (including the clothes on your back) as well as any visible injuries. Remember, there is truly no such thing as collecting too much information.
Normally, after an accident, you would want to open up a claim with your insurance company. However, because of the complicated nature of public transportation accidents, get in touch with a lawyer first. Remember, the insurance entity that you contact will depend on who owns the bus. Your attorney will be able to help you with this process. And, of course, the sooner that you contact a legal team, the more time that they will have to collect all relevant evidence and receipts related to your accident.
How The Ward Law Group Can Help
Motor vehicle accidents take a lot out of you. They will eat up your time, causing undue stress due to their expensive nature and the possibility of personal injury. In some cases, the consequences of a bus accident may follow you around for the rest of your life.
You can't make this stress disappear overnight. But, you can fight it with the right amount of legal assistance. The Ward Law Group is here to provide you with just that. Our team of attorneys is passionate about fighting insurance companies who are out to minimize your settlement. Don't forget: We also offer our services to both Spanish and English speakers. So, don't let your primary language get in the way of pursuing your case. Contact The Ward Law Group today!