Florida Attorney for School Bus Accidents
School bus accidents often bring to mind children who are passengers on the bus, but anyone can be the victim of a school bus accident. This includes other drivers who collide with a bus or adults being transported to events on a bus. Contact our Florida school bus accident lawyer to know your your rights.
Regardless of your age or whether you were a bus passenger or not, school bus accidents are often more complex than other auto accident cases.
Why School Bus Accident Cases are Complicated in Florida?
The reason school bus accident cases are often complicated is because of a legal doctrine called “sovereign immunity.” This applies whenever the bus driver was a government employee, as those who work for the government are largely protected from being sued for acts they perform within the capacity of their official duties.
This means even if you or someone you love is injured in a school bus accident as a result of negligence, making a personal injury claim against the bus driver can be difficult. There are, however, some exceptions to sovereign immunity, which the personal injury attorneys Florida at the law offices of Wolf & Pravato can help you to explore.
What Injury Claims for School Bus Accidents in Florida?
Although you may not be able to sue the bus driver, there are other potential defendants that can be held legally responsible for school bus accidents. The school board is one possible defendant, although school boards are also government entities, so there are strict procedural and notice rules that must be complied with when filing suit against school bus drivers.
Other drivers who may be responsible for the crash, such as a driver who collided with a school bus and caused an accident, are not given these types of protections and will be treated just as any other drivers would.
Likewise, if the school bus driver or company is a private company and not one operated by the government, then the special governmental immunity rules do not apply. Buses are common carriers and owe a higher duty of care than regular drivers.
How to Prove the Florida School Bus Accident Claim?
At the law offices of Wolf & Pravato, when we handle a school bus accident, we will help you to identify any possible defendants who can be held responsible for the losses you suffered. We will assist you in making a claim and in gathering the evidence you need to prove negligence and to prove your right to compensation. This will include evidence that:
- The potential defendant owed you a legal duty
- The duty was breached
- The breach led to harm
We will assist you every step of the way in using your evidence to either negotiate a settlement or to win a case in court to obtain damages.
What Damages Should I Recover in Florida School Bus Accidents?
Damages for a school bus accident can be extensive, especially because school buses are not generally equipped with seat belts and injuries can thus be more severe than in other types of accidents. These damages may include:
- Compensation for medical costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress
Getting Help from Florida School Bus Accident Attorneys
To learn more about how to make a Florida bus accident claim, schedule a consultation with the experienced injury attorneys at the law office of Wolf & Pravato today.
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