Bus accidents, including on the popular Coral Gables trolley, can often cause severe injuries and wrongful death. They may involve multiple injured people and several potentially responsible parties, complicating your claim for compensation. Engaging a Coral Gables bus accident lawyer to help you is a wise move.
The respected personal injury attorneys at Werner, Hoffman, Greig, & Garcia help you through a difficult time, fighting for every dollar of compensation you deserve. They can ensure you have the support you need during your recovery and will speak on your behalf to the defendant’s attorneys and insurance company.
Your initial actions after a bus accident depend on how badly you are injured. If you lose consciousness or emergency responders recommend you take an ambulance to the hospital, follow their advice.
Get a medical evaluation immediately. Even if you are not yet experiencing symptoms, a healthcare provider can screen you for injuries like a TBI and begin treatment when necessary. The bus company could construe any delay in treatment as evidence that you are either exaggerating your injuries or sustained them in a different incident.
Do not speak about the accident to anyone except your healthcare provider. Do not post about it on social media or speak to the bus company or its insurance company. Instead, contact one of our Coral Gables attorneys who will handle communications with the bus company and all other parties.
Although bus accident injuries are handled initially through the no-fault system, you can pursue a claim in court if you can demonstrate that your injuries are serious enough. Florida Statute § 627.737 defines a serious injury (also known as a catastrophic injury) as one that a doctor is reasonably certain will never heal, or causes permanent impairment of a body part or system, or results in significant permanent scarring.
To win your case, you must prove that the company was negligent. Bus drivers and the companies they work for must use the utmost care to keep their passengers and others safe. Any deviation from best safety practices is evidence of negligence. An attorney in Coral Gables will scrutinize the police report, available video footage, the bus driver’s personnel file and schedule, and any other relevant information to find evidence of negligence.
When you are hurt in a wreck and another party is at fault, they must pay your losses, or damages. The responsible party’s insurer typically pays the damages, which pay for your medical care, lost income, future medical expenses, and the reduction in your earning capacity. The responsible parties may also have to pay for your physical pain, emotional anguish, temporary or permanent disability, and similar impacts on your quality of life.
Our attorneys will help you compile evidence to prove the damages you sustained in the bus accident. They will engage in vigorous negotiations, but if the bus company or other responsible party does not make a suitable offer, our legal team will not hesitate to try a case in court.
Unlike many states, Florida does not cap compensatory damages in most personal injury cases. However, if you were partially responsible for the accident that caused your injuries (such as driving while distracted on Florida State Road 953), a judge will reduce the compensation you collect to reflect your responsibility for the incident.
Punitive damages are available if you demonstrate that the bus company or its driver was grossly negligent. Your punitive damages will usually be capped at $500,000 or three times the amount of your compensatory damages, whichever amount is greater.
Bus companies, both public and private, have a responsibility to operate safely. If you were hurt in a bus accident, you may have a claim against the transportation company and other responsible parties.
Contact the experienced Coral Gables bus accident lawyers at Werner, Hoffman, Greig, & Garcia to work with someone who is unafraid of standing up for your rights. We can help you get fair compensation after a bus crash, so you can move forward in your life without worry over paying these extraordinary medical expenses, so reach out to us today.
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