Boynton Beach School Bus Accident Attorney
Every day, 23.5 million children use the bus to get to and from school. In fact, when you add in the time spent on buses for extracurricular activities, the school bus system is our largest public transportation system in the country.
According to a report by the Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice (CIPP), more than 40% of school bus-related injuries are caused by accidents with other motorists. And that does not begin to take into consideration the thousands of other injuries that other motorists and vehicle passengers experience as a result of collisions with school buses.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Boynton Beach school bus accident, you are probably in pain and overwhelmed by the growing number of medical bills you’re receiving as a result of your injuries. However, if your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to hold that person responsible.
A Boynton Beach school bus accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato is here to help. Contact us today at (954) 633-8270 for a free evaluation of your case.
Common Circumstances That Cause School Bus Accidents
There are a number of circumstances that can lead to school bus crashes. A few of them include:
1. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents in Florida, often the result of a driver using his or her phone while operating a moving vehicle. A school bus crash can be caused by another motorist who was distracted by a phone or the bus driver themselves.
In some cases, it is not a phone but kids on the bus who prove to be distracting to the bus driver, causing him to take his eyes off the road and potentially get into an accident.
2. Speeding
School buses cannot stop as rapidly as other vehicles, particularly when driving in adverse road conditions. This is why driving too fast can be extremely dangerous. The bus may not have time to stop or avoid a collision or traffic suddenly changing speed or stops. Unfortunately, too often, bus drivers will push beyond the boundaries of what is safe to stay on tight deadlines for transporting students to school.
3. Drowsy Driving
Chronic fatigue is rampant among adults in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an estimated one in 25 drivers reports having fallen asleep at the wheel in the last 30 days. Among the people that the CDC notes are most likely to drive drowsy are drivers who operate vehicles like buses or tractor-trailers.
There are numerous other causes of school bus wrecks, including simple driver error, poor maintenance, or defective parts. If you have been hurt in a school bus accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Contact the Boynton Beach personal injury lawyers team at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato at (954) 633-8270 for a free case evaluation. A Boynton Beach school bus accident lawyer is ready to help.
Establishing Liability After a School Bus Crash
School bus crashes are challenging because you cannot always file a lawsuit against the driver of the bus. In many cases, school bus drivers work directly for the school district and, as government employees, are protected from lawsuits by a legal doctrine called sovereign immunity.
There are exceptions to sovereign immunity, and a school bus accident attorney in Florida can explore what options are available for recovering damages in these cases. We also understand the procedural and notice rules that must be complied with to file a lawsuit against a school bus driver.
In some cases, it is not the driver but another motorist or the manufacturer who is at-fault for the crash. Likewise, if the accident was caused by a driver who works for a privately held company, it is possible to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against them.
Recoverable Damages After a School Bus Accident
There are a number of damages that you may be entitled to recover as a result of your accident, although they will depend on the details of your case. The most common damages that victims have recovered in cases like yours include:
- Medical costs, such as ambulance rides, surgical procedures, doctor’s examinations, medication, and therapeutic treatments
- Lost wages
- Future wages, if you cannot return to work
- Pain and suffering
Wrongful Death
In some cases, the injuries that the victim sustains are so severe that he or she does not survive the accident. In those cases, you may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. Damages you may be entitled to are:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of support and protection
How a Boynton Beach School Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help
We can help you navigate the complex process to pursue compensation to the fullest extent of your injuries. We will gather evidence like video surveillance, police reports, eyewitness statements, and investigate your accident to find out who the liable party is.
Our school bus accident attorney in Boynton Beach will also calculate the full extent of your damages, including the pain and suffering you have endured because of the accident. This will help us determine the value of your case and identify what a fair settlement would look like. We will take the necessary steps to file a claim and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. Finally, if an agreeable settlement cannot be reached, we will take your case to trial.
Contact Our Boynton Beach School Bus Accident Attorneys
Our team has worked on cases like yours before, and we are proud of the results we have achieved. To get started right away or find out what options you have for recovering compensation, call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato at (954) 633-8270.
