BUS ACCIDENTS LAW FIRM FORT LAUDERDALE
In Florida, bus accidents occur on both highways, local roads and on school grounds. They range from school bus accidents, charter bus accidents and commercial bus accidents, involving such companies as Greyhound and Trailways. Here at the law firm of Berman and Tsombanakis, LLC, we have many years of experience handling these types of accident cases. Bus accident cases can occur while only the bus driver is on board and at many other times when the buses are loaded with passengers and even small children.
SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENTS
School bus accidents are very unfortunate and they occur in subdivisions, local roads and major highways. The job of the school bus driver is a very serious one and one that involves a lot of attention and care to both the children and the buses that they are driving. When you think of defensive driving, one should think of the role of a bus driver on a daily basis. Many bus accidents occur right after the driver has unloaded passengers. These accidents that sometimes results in death, often happen when a child walks in front of the bus, shortly after departing the bus and the bus driver does not see them. In March of 2012, a tractor trailer truck collided with a school bus, and 5 children were critically injured and a Principal’s child died during this accident. The bus was equipped with seatbelts but the authorities were not sure at the time of the accident, if the children were indeed wearing their seatbelts.
COMMERCIAL BUS ACCIDENTS
Commercial Bus Accidents often occur in Florida on our major highways, such as I-95 and the Florida Turnpike. Like car accidents, sometimes weather and other road conditions are factors. In some cases driver fatigue is a factor. Commercial bus driver have driver logs very similar to truck drivers. These driver logs are very important and are enforced by the federal government to ensure that the driver is well rested and to protect the safety of the driver, passengers and other vehicles with passengers that are traveling those highways as well.
THE USE OF SEATBELTS BY PASSENGERS ON BUSES
Over the past 20 years or so, there has been an increase in the concern of installing seat belts on buses and in particular school buses. Currently California, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, and Texas have seatbelt legislation for school buses. New York was the first state to pass seatbelt laws for children on school buses and New York was also the first state in 1984 to pass seat belt laws for vehicles. Florida Law governing seatbelts was passed in 1999. It requires that any school buses that were purchased on or after January 1, 2001, must have seatbelts and the children are required to wear them. Also in Florida, a priority is given to elementary students when allocation buses to schools with seatbelts. These laws also limit the liability of the school district and its employees if a child does not wear their seatbelt and an accident occurs. It exempts the state, counties, school districts and school bus operators and their agents, including teachers and volunteer chaperones, from liability for personal injury to a school bus passenger caused solely because the passenger was not wearing a seat belt
INJURIES (SOFT TISSUE VS. DEADLY INJURIES) ON BUSES
When accidents occur on buses, just like motor vehicles there maybe injuries involved. In many cases the injuries are severe and sometimes life ending if the passengers are not wearing their seatbelts. Not wearing your seatbelt increases the likelihood of whiplash, concussions, spinal injuries and other very serious injuries head and back injuries. When bus passengers where there seatbelts it does not prevent the accident from occurring. HOWEVER, wearing your seatbelt in an overwhelming number of cases, REDUCES ones injuries.
BUS ACCIDENTS LAWYER FORT LAUDERDALE
If you have been injured in a bus accident, truck accident or any motor vehicle accident, please email or call one of the lawyers at the Injury and Accident Law Firm of Berman & Tsombanakis, LLC. at (954) 764-6099 or (954) 728-8885. We provide free consultations and can meet you at our office in downtown Fort Lauderdale, or at your residence or any other convenient location to fully discuss your case and form a plan to insure that you are fully compensated for your injuries.