Tampa Bus Accident Lawyers

Given their size, the number of people aboard, and the lack of safety restraints, buses are capable of catastrophic accidents which can upend the lives of people both on board and outside of the bus. Bus accidents lead to thousands of injuries and deaths every year. Many of those tragedies are the result of negligence, whether by the driver, the common carrier or government body which owns or operates the bus, or the companies responsible for maintaining the bus, to name a few. 

If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in a bus accident, you have allies and advocates at Alley, Clark & Greiwe. Our experienced and dedicated Tampa bus accident lawyers understand the struggles endured by injury victims and their families after a bus accident, from mounting medical bills and lost wages, to pain and an inability to live life as you once did.

We also understand the complexities of bus accidents and the unique liability issues involved in crashes where there are potentially numerous defendants, including claims against government entities. We are tireless in our efforts to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for our bus accident injury clients. 

Bus Accidents Take a Heavy Toll

While state and federal laws may have different definitions as to what constitutes a “bus,” generally that term refers to any motorized vehicle capable of carrying more than 10 passengers. This includes:

• School buses
• Large vans used for public transportation
• Municipal and regional transit buses such as those operated by the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART)
• Shuttle buses
• Tour buses
• Interstate buses such as Greyhound or Megabus.  

Statistics reveal the tragic toll bus accidents can have. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in 2015:

• 15,000 buses were involved in injury-causing crashes
• 24,000 people were injured in bus crashes
• 267 buses were involved in fatal crashes
• 295 people were killed in bus crashes

Bus Accident Causes and Injuries

Buses are on the road constantly, which means they endure a lot of wear and tear and require constant maintenance in order to remain safe. Similarly, Tampa bus drivers spend a lot of time behind the wheel, which can lead to overwork and fatigue. 

These are just a couple of reasons buses are involved in collisions and accidents. Additional causes include:

• Drivers operating under the influence
• Distracted drivers
• Inadequate training of bus drivers
• Failure to follow traffic regulations
• Overloaded buses
• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Faulty equipment

Bus passengers are extremely vulnerable to serious injuries. A lack of safety restraints can cause passengers to be thrown from their seats or ejected from the vehicle. Buses have a higher risk of rollovers, and passengers who may be sleeping, reading, or otherwise unaware of their surroundings may be caught particularly prone at the time of an accident.

Common bus accident injuries include:

• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash
• Burns
• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Paralysis

Bus Injury Lawsuits in Florida

Unlike car accident lawsuits in which there is usually just one defendant – the other driver – bus accidents can involve multiple parties who may be held responsible for injuries. This includes the driver, the bus company or government authority which owns and operates the bus, the bus manufacturer, and the bus maintenance company.

Understanding how to establish liability and obtain compensation for bus accident injuries or deaths under Florida law requires experience with the unique challenges involved in bus accident lawsuits. It also requires quick action by victims, as there are time limits on when claims can be filed. These limits are particularly short – and involve very strict procedures – when the claim is against a government body such as HART. 

Call Alley, Clark & Greiwe for a Free Consultation 

It is critical that you contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible after you have been involved in a bus accident. The lawyers at Alley, Clark & Greiwe have a record of success representing bus and other auto accident victims in Tampa and throughout the state of Florida. We helping our clients obtain compensation and support so they can recover from their injuries and move forward with their lives. 

Please call us today at 813-222-0977 or contact us online to arrange for your free initial consultation and case evaluation. We look forward to assisting you.