New Port Richey Bus Accident Lawyer

March 4, 2022 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman

Bus accidents may be few and far between, but when they happen, they can have devastating consequences for those involved, as evidenced by Tampa Bay Times reporting. If you or a loved one was hurt in a bus accident in Pasco County, Florida, a New Port Richey bus accident lawyer at Dolman Law Group could help you collect compensation. 

We are a nationwide personal injury law firm based in the Greater Tampa Bay area, operating across the state and beyond. Our attorneys take on motor vehicle accidents, including bus accidents, truck accidents, drunk driving accidents, wrongful death accidents, and all other forms of auto accidents.

Our duty to our clients is to provide committed and personal legal service. Other big firms promise dedication, but you never hear from them after hiring them. You probably never even speak to those attorneys handling your case. 

That's not the way we operate. We give you the personal cell phone number of your attorney. If you've had a bus accident in New Port Richey or surrounding areas, our personal injury legal team is there with you every step of the way. We never charge you upfront fees, either. Our legal services include:

  • Keeping you up-to-date on your case 
  • Investigating the cause of your bus accident
  • Determining the negligent parties
  • Speaking with insurance companies, witnesses, and other necessary parties
  • Obtaining medical records and essential documents
  • Filling out and submitting paperwork pertinent to your case 
  • Negotiating a proper settlement
  • Filing a personal injury lawsuit, if needed
  • Protecting your rights in court

New Port Richey Bus Accident Attorneys at Our Firm Pursue Fair Compensation

Injuries sustained in a bus accident can be serious or fatal. That's why we dedicate ourselves to pursuing the compensation you need. Broken or fractured bones, traumatic brain injuries, herniated discs, and internal organ damage are just a few of the possible physical injuries you could suffer during a bus accident.

You may have also suffered emotional or psychological injuries and emotional distress. These types of injuries are categorized under pain and suffering. The lawyers at our firm can help you collect fair and full compensation for all your losses, including:

  • Medical treatment expenses
  • Future medical treatment
  • Lost wages
  • Diminished earning capacity
  • Physical rehab 
  • Vehicle repair/replacement
  • Property damage
  • Accessibility modifications at home
  • Pain and suffering damages 

Dolman Law Group Has a Track Record of Success in Auto Accidents

Headed by award-winning trial attorneys,  our track record of strong advocacy for our clients has won many settlements and jury verdicts for fair compensation. While case results do vary, we are proud to acknowledge the many high-value awards we've helped clients like you win in auto accidents. Amongst them:

  • $5 million for a car accident resulting in burns 
  • $3.85 million for a victim with brain injury from a semi-truck accident 
  • $1.4 Million for motorcycle accident victim with multiple injuries 

Your Lawyer Will Prove Fault for Your Bus Accident

The at-fault party depends on the bus accident. The type of bus heavily affects who may be responsible for any resulting negligence. In a bus accident, this could be any number of individuals or entities, such as:

  • The bus driver
  • The bus company
  • The company that contracted the bus company
  • The company that contracted the bus driver
  • The city or municipality
  • The school district (if you or your child suffered a school bus accident)
  • Bus manufacturers
  • Pedestrians
  • Passengers
  • Other motorists on the road

Fault can be a complex subject. Our legal professionals will investigate thoroughly to discover all negligent parties in your bus accident. Our New Port Richey lawyers will also gather the evidence necessary to hold them accountable. 

You Could Recover Monetary Awards After a Public Transportation Accident

Your accident could have involved public transit, like a city or county bus, with the driver at fault. In this situation, the city or county transit company would likely be held responsible via vicarious liability. Public transit buses in Florida must adhere to certain regulations for the safety of the public. If any of these rules are violated, the driver or transit system can be found negligent. 

Regulations that must be followed include:

  • Not permitting a driver to operate a bus if his license is canceled, revoked, or suspended
  • No driving under the influence
  • Performing annual inspections on the buses per Florida Statutes § 341.061(2)(b)
  • Hours of service limits (bus drivers can't drive more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period)
  • Daily inspections of auto parts necessary for safe operation (tires, brakes, horn, steering, etc.)

A School Bus Accident That Harms You or Your Child Is Compensable

Fault in a school bus accident is a bit more tricky. Potentially negligent parties in a school bus accident may be:

  • The school district
  • The bus driver
  • A third party contracted to hire the bus driver

In many cases, school districts own their buses and drivers, so they would naturally be accountable for those drivers. However, school districts are also known to contract third-party agencies to hire drivers. In that case, the hiring agency may be responsible for the driver's negligence. Further, the driver himself can also be responsible.

Bus Insurance Laws in Florida That Could Affect Your New Port Richey Case

School buses are required under Florida Statutes § 316.615 to maintain insurance for  $5000 times the seating capacity of the bus or $100,000, whichever is greater. 

Nonpublic sector buses, like charter buses, must provide insurance protection for bodily injury and property damage of at least $300,000. However, these companies could instead provide proof of ability to pay for bodily injury or death in the following amounts:

  • $100,000 for one person
  • $300,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people
  • $50,000 for property damage

You Would Usually Start By Filing a Claim With Your Own Insurance Company

Florida is a no-fault state, so you are entitled (and even required) to file a car accident claim with your insurance company, but there are conditions. You are covered by your PIP (personal injury protection) if:

  • You are hit by a county or city public bus or a school bus
  • You or your child is injured on a school bus 

You cannot file a PIP claim if you are injured while riding public transportation like a city or county bus. Per Florida Statutes § 627.732, mass transit vehicles like city buses are not considered motor vehicles. So, bus companies do not have to provide insurance to passengers. Your bus accident claim would be made against the transit company.

Our accident attorneys can explain which insurance laws apply to your case and how much compensation you could pursue. Our goal is always to obtain fair damages for our clients. We've dealt with major auto insurance companies and numerous smaller parties. 

Strong advocacy and total accessibility are the cornerstones of Dolman Law Group's representation style. Call us now at (727) 477-9660 if you've been injured in an auto accident involving a bus in the Pasco County area. A New Port Richey lawyer is ready to go to work for you.

New Port Richey Office
5924 Main St
New Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 477-9660

 

Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits.  Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

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