Did you or someone close to you get hurt in a bus accident in Orlando, Florida? Whether you got hurt as a bus passenger or the occupant of another vehicle, you could be eligible for compensation for your injuries. The money you receive from a successful bus accident claim can help you cover medical bills, wage losses, and other unforeseen expenses you have incurred due to the accident.
If another party was at fault for the bus accident that injured you, Michael T. Gibson, P.A., and his award-winning legal team of bus accident lawyers could help. We provide intelligent and effective representation to injury victims throughout Orlando, and we’re ready to take immediate action on your behalf. Contact our firm now to learn more in a free initial case review.
Why Choose Michael T. Gibson, P.A.?
Accident victims throughout Orlando trust Michael T. Gibson, P.A., with their auto accident injury cases. Attorney Michael T. Gibson and his dedicated staff help bus crash victims like you face the many challenges of filing an insurance claim or lawsuit and demanding fair compensation after preventable bus accidents.
We believe that if you got hurt in an Orlando bus accident that wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to worry about the financial consequences of the crash. Our firm is ready to represent you in insurance claims and injury lawsuits to help you pursue the money you need to pay for medical care, replace lost wages, and cover other unplanned costs. We have secured millions of dollars in fair compensation for deserving clients throughout Orlando, and we want to help you maximize your financial recovery.
Our talented and compassionate team is here to answer your questions and listen to your story whenever you are ready to talk. Contact us today to get started with your free consultation session in English or Spanish. You can visit our Orlando office location near Baldwin Park to meet with us in person during business hours or call us anytime, 24/7/365, to speak with us via phone or video chat.
How Much Is My Bus Accident Case Worth?
If you get hurt in an Orlando bus accident, you could have the right to seek financial compensation for your losses.
When you work with a skilled bus accident lawyer in Orlando, you can file an insurance claim, civil lawsuit, and other types of legal actions to demand reimbursement for:
- Medical expenses you have incurred in treating your bus accident injuries
- Projected medical costs you will likely incur in the future due to your injuries
- Incidental costs, such as the costs of traveling to and from doctor’s appointments
- Wage losses you incur from missing time at work during your recovery period
- Projected losses in earning capacity due to long-term or permanent impairments
- Subjective losses, such as injury-related pain, suffering, and lost quality of life
If an at-fault party behaved with extreme recklessness or intentional malice, you could also receive “punitive damages” from a personal injury lawsuit. In rare cases, judges order at-fault parties to pay punitive damages as punishment and to discourage similar behavior from happening in the future.
There is no guarantee that you will receive specific types or amounts of compensation for injury in an accident claim. But the best way to hold at-fault parties accountable and get the most money for your claim is to retain the services of a skilled attorney. Contact Michael T. Gibson, P.A., for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options and the potential value of your claim.
Orlando Bus Accidents Facts and Statistics
Fortunately, bus accidents are rare, but when they happen, they often have catastrophic consequences. Buses are large vehicles that can carry dozens of people, so bus accidents frequently affect multiple drivers, passengers, and other road users.
Per recent reports from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):
- In one recent year, buses were in 23,000 crashes that resulted in property damage only and 7,000 crashes that resulted in reported injuries.
- Roughly 14,000 people reportedly got hurt in U.S. bus accidents that year.
- That year, the U.S. also recorded the lowest number of bus accidents since it began keeping track in 1975. Still, 155 fatal bus accidents occurred nationwide.
Sadly, bus accidents occur all the time in Florida. They’re especially common here in Orlando, thanks to a steady supply of resort guest buses, tourist charter buses, and the city’s ubiquitous LYNX and LYMMO public transit buses.
Consider these statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV):
- In one recent year, more than 4,000 bus drivers and nearly 13,000 bus passengers were in Florida bus accidents that resulted in injuries.
- Of those bus drivers, 137 suffered possible injuries, 43 suffered non-incapacitating injuries, and seven suffered incapacitating injuries.
- Of those bus passengers, 701 suffered possible injuries, 154 suffered non-incapacitating injuries, and 19 suffered incapacitating injuries.
If you get hurt in a bus accident in Orlando, one or more of the following Florida Statutes (F.S.) could apply to your injury case:
- F.S. § 316.003: This law defines a bus as any motor vehicle, other than a taxicab, designed to carry and transport more than ten persons.
- F.S. § 316.0815: This law requires motorists to yield the right of way to public transit buses ren-entering traffic from designated pullout bays.
- F.S. § 316.0817: Apart from school buses, this law prohibits buses from stopping to load or unload passengers in a way that impedes the flow of traffic.
- F.S. § 316.159: This law requires bus drivers to stop before any rail crossings, look both ways for oncoming trains, and proceed only when it is safe to do so.
- F.S. § 316.172: This law requires motorists to stop upon approaching a school bus with its stop sign up and remain stopped until the sign goes down.
- F.S. § 316.6145: This law requires all new school buses sold after December 31, 2000, to have appropriate safety restraints for each individual student.
- F.S. § 768.81: This law permits you to file an injury claim against an at-fault party even if you are as much as 99 percent responsible for your own injuries.
- F.S. § 95.11: This law gives you four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against an at-fault party.
Remember that the procedures and laws that apply when filing a bus accident injury claim often vary based on jurisdiction and circumstance. For instance, you have only three years to file injury claims against Florida government agencies, and such claims are subject to more complex and strict requirements than standard injury claims. Each local court system also has its own administrative quirks and practices.
In light of these complexities, you might feel overwhelmed and uncertain about your next steps in the aftermath of a bus accident, but don’t panic. Let Michael T. Gibson, P.A., and his team of legal professionals handle every aspect of your bus accident injury claim while you recover. When you’re ready to get started, contact our Orlando personal injury law firm for a free case review.
Types of Bus Accidents and Bus Accident Injuries
Our auto accident justice team has handled numerous bus accident cases throughout Orlando.
We’re ready to take on personal injury cases stemming from the following types of bus accidents:
- School bus accidents
- Public transit bus accidents
- LYNX bus accidents
- LYMMO bus accidents
- Tour bus accidents
- Sleeper bus accidents
- Charter bus accidents
- Shuttle bus accidents
- Airport bus accidents
- Passenger van accidents
- Intercity bus accidents
Buses are heavy vehicles that carry many passengers and take up lots of space on the road. Many buses also lack safety features that are standard in other vehicles, like seat belts and side-impact airbags.
For these reasons, bus accidents commonly result in numerous severe injuries, such as:
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Abdominal and internal injuries
- Dislocated or broken bones
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Amputation and loss of limb
- Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
- Road rash and other burn injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Filing an Insurance Claim After a Bus Accident
Before you file an insurance claim after any traffic accident in Orlando, you should know that Florida follows a no-fault insurance system for car accident injury claims. In a no-fault system, you must file your initial injury claim with your own insurance provider after an accident, no matter who was at fault. However, there are exceptions to the no-fault system that allow you to file claims against other parties.
For one, the no-fault restrictions only apply to injury claims. If another road user damages your vehicle in an Orlando bus accident, you have the right to file a property damage claim against them, no matter how minor the collision.
Another exception could apply if you meet the criteria for a serious injury. Florida law defines a serious injury as any injury that causes permanent impairment, permanent loss of bodily function, or extensive scarring or disfigurement. If you have a serious injury, you can sidestep the no-fault rules and file a third-party injury claim against the at-fault party.
The rules and requirements that apply to bus accident injury claims in Florida vary considerably from case to case. Many bus accident claims are also more complex than other accident claims due to the number of potentially liable parties. Those parties could include the bus driver, the bus company, other road users, and even government entities, each with its own unique filing procedures and deadlines.
If you are suffering from the financial and personal consequences of an Orlando bus accident, dealing with an insurance claim might seem daunting and overwhelming. But you can face these challenges with confidence when you work with a knowledgeable bus accident injury lawyer. Your attorney can help you demand accountability and reasonable compensation for your losses by preparing a strong legal claim.
What to Do if You Get Hurt in an Orlando Bus Accident?
If you got hurt in an Orlando bus accident, you have probably already seen a doctor. If not, seek medical attention as soon as possible for treatment and an official diagnosis.
You can also take the following steps to protect your health and your legal rights:
- Record your recovery journey in a “pain journal” each day
- Gather evidence, such as photos and witness statements
- Keep important documents, like medical bills and proof of lost income
- Watch what you say to others before you speak to a lawyer
- Avoid posting on social media while your claim is pending
- Contact a local bus accident attorney as soon as possible
Orlando Bus Accident FAQs
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions about bus accident injury cases in Orlando, FL:
Who Is Liable if My Child Is Hurt in a Bus Accident?
If your child sustains injuries in an Orlando school bus accident, multiple parties could be liable, including your child’s school or school district. Claims against public schools or districts are subject to numerous unique limitations, so it’s best to work with a local attorney who knows what they’re doing if you think you have this type of claim.
How Long Will My Bus Accident Case Take?
Every injury claim is different. You could resolve a straightforward, inexpensive claim within weeks, while a more complex, high-dollar claim could take months. Just remember that a speedy claim settlement is not always a good one. If you want the best possible results, work with a patient attorney who will take as long as they need to maximize your compensation.
What Should I Do if The Insurance Company Offers Me a Quick Settlement?
In most cases, accepting the first settlement offer you receive is not a good idea. Many insurance companies will make lowball initial offers, hoping claimants who are desperate for cash won’t notice how much money is still on the table. The only way to be sure a given settlement offer adequately makes up for your losses is to hire a knowledgeable lawyer who knows the true value of your case.
Contact an Experienced Bus Accident Lawyer in Orlando, FL
If you are struggling financially in the aftermath of an Orlando bus accident, don’t despair. Contact the auto justice attorney, Michael T. Gibson, P.A., for answers at (407) 490-1271.
Our attentive team can review your case, answer your questions, and offer professional guidance during your free initial consultation session.
Michael T. Gibson P.A.
2420 S. Lakemont Avenue
Suite 150
Orlando, FL 32814
Phone: 407-422-4529
Testimonials
My sister recommended this law firm after I was involved in a car accident and I am so happy that I did! Wanda and Angie were so incredibly helpful and made sure to keep me updated throughout the whole process. Todd is an incredible attorney, I recommend him without any hesitations or doubts. Very knowledgeable, aggressive, strategic with a few tricks up his sleeve. When I saw him in action I immediately knew why he was named partner. This has been the best experience I’ve had with any law firm and will be the only law firm I recommend to my family and friends!
– Jessica R. | Car Accident in Orlando
407-422-4529