School Bus Accident Lawyer Fort Lauderdale
School bus accidents can be devastating for everyone involved, from the children on the bus to other motorists. If you or someone you love has been hurt—or worse—in a school bus accident, you may be in pain or feeling anger towards the at-fault party for causing the destruction.
The Fort Lauderdale school bus accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato understand that representing the victims in school bus accidents requires specific knowledge and skill. For a free evaluation of your claim and to get help in determining what options you have for recovering compensation for your losses, contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato at (954) 633-8270.
Common Causes of School Bus Accidents in Fort Lauderdale
While there are numerous causes for school bus accidents, some of the most common causes include:
Distracted Driving
Distractions, like misbehaving students or loud noises on the bus, can cause school bus drivers to take their eyes off the road and thus can lead to an accident. Cell phones can also be highly distracting, both for the driver of school buses as well as for other drivers who may be involved in—or who may even have caused—the school bus accident.
Driver Fatigue
An estimated one out of 25 drivers report having fallen asleep while behind the wheel in the last 30 days. School bus drivers often have to start their mornings extremely early, which can impact how alert they are when on the road. A fatigued driver may not check blind spots properly or react as quickly if the flow of traffic suddenly slows or stops. Since school buses require more time to stop because of their enormous size, this can lead to catastrophic injuries.
Speeding
School bus drivers are expected to stick to tight schedules. Delays in picking up students or traffic delays can compel drivers to push the limits and operate the bus at speeds that are unsafe.
Condition of the Bus
It is important that school buses remain in perfect running condition at all times. However, even when schools perform regularly scheduled maintenance on buses, technicians can make mistakes that cause accidents. Parts may also prove to be defective product, causing devastating accidents with potentially catastrophic injuries.
Proving Liability After a School Bus Accident
The most challenging part of a school bus accident can be establishing liability. There are a number of parties who may be liable during an accident, including:
- The school district that employed the driver.
- Another motorist who potentially caused the accident with negligent behavior.
- The maintenance company that improperly maintained the school bus.
- The company that manufactured a defective part that caused the accident.
A Fort Lauderdale school bus accident lawyer can investigate the details of your accident and determine who is responsible for your injuries. We understand the procedural and notice rules that must be followed when filing lawsuits against school bus driver and other at-fault parties and can help you avoid potentially time-consuming and costly errors.
For a free review of your claim, contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato at (954) 633-8270.
Damages You May Recover After a School Bus Accident
There are a number of types of damages that you may be able to recover after a school bus accident. We cannot estimate your damages you may recover or the value of your case without examining the details related to the accident, but common types of damages recovered in cases like these include:
- Medical expenses, including ambulance rides, surgical procedures, doctor’s examinations, medication, and physical therapy
- Lost wages from time away from work
- Future wages, if you have lost your earning potential
- Pain and Suffering
If your family member did not survive the accident, you may be entitled to recover your losses in a wrongful death lawsuit. Damages related to this type of claim include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of support and protection
- Loss of companionship
How a Fort Lauderdale School Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help
Our Fort Lauderdale school bus accident lawyers understand the enormous pain that families experience as a result of bus accidents. Approximately 17,000 children are treated in emergency rooms each year for injuries associated with school buses, and more than 40% of school bus injuries are caused by collisions. That does not take into consideration the injuries that other motorists incur because of accidents involving these massive buses.
At the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato, our personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can help you identify all of the possible defendants responsible for the accident. We conduct an in-depth investigation, gathering evidence like police reports, eyewitness statements, video surveillance, and medical records in order to determine what happened in the moments leading up to the collision and who is responsible.
Our Florida school bus accident attorney will use bills, receipts, and other documents to determine the full extent of your financial losses and calculate the value of your case, including the cost of your pain and suffering. We will also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to pursue compensation to the fullest extent of your injuries.
Contact Our School Bus Accident Attorney Fort Lauderdale
To have a member of our team review your case and find out what options you have for recovering compensation, contact the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato at (954) 633-8270.
