Eleven people were injured after a devastating bus accident occurred in Daytona Beach earlier this month. The accident occurred at the intersection of Orange Avenue and Lincoln Street when a van collided with a Votran Bus. According to police reports, the van was driving recklessly and was reportedly stolen at the time of the accident. The van fled the scene of the accident that left 11 people injured, including a pregnant passenger and a child. All injured passengers were transported to the hospital. During the accident, a gas line was also broken, prompting TECO gas to arrive on the scene to repair the damages.
Injured in a Bus Accident, Who is At Fault?
Bus accidents can be catastrophic and can result in serious and lifelong injuries to everyone involved. If you are a passenger on a bus that was involved in an accident, you may have many concerns, including:
- Who will pay for your medical expenses?
- Who will pay for your lost wages?
- Is the bus company at fault?
- What if there are multiple parties involved?
Bus accidents carry some unique legal issues because the bus company may have certain immunities from liability. In addition, there are often multiple parties involved in the crash. If another driver is to blame for the accident, you can make a third-party claim with that driver’s insurance company. If the bus driver is at fault, however, it may be more difficult. Since many buses are operated and run by government entities, collecting compensation is tricky. There are often short windows for filing a claim and complicated rules for appealing claim denials. In addition, there are specific procedural rules that must be followed when suing the government.
If the claim is made against a public body or agent of the government, you must prove that the accident was more than just simple negligence. You must clearly show that the driver’s actions amounted to gross negligence. Since every state and municipality has different procedural rules for these types of claims, it is best to hire an experienced and skilled Florida bus accident lawyer immediately after you are injured. Your lawyer will be able to ensure that your rights to compensation are protected every step of the way and that you do not miss any critical deadlines for filing a claim.
Luckily, many Florida bus accident attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means that you do not owe any money unless your lawyer is able to successfully settle or win your case. This ensures that every injured passenger is able to seek justice – not just the ones who are able to afford it.
Have You Been Injured in a Florida Bus Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a bus accident in Daytona Beach, Florida and you believe that someone else’s negligence was to blame, it is important to know that the law is on your side. At Zimmet & Zimmet, our experienced Daytona Beach bus accident lawyers have extensive experience representing injured accident victims. Contact us today for a free initial consultation and review of your case. Call 386-255-6400 or fill out our confidential contact form and someone will call you back!
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