Carrollwood Bus Accident Attorney
Tampa Bay is a very popular destination for tour groups. Frequently, these tour bus drivers must wear two hats. Companies often expect them to drive safely and entertain tour groups. Either task is a full-time job. Dividing attention between the two is dangerous. Many intercity buses also roam through Tampa Bay. Other than air travel, intercity buses are the most common long-distance mass transit providers in America. On top of these things, municipal and school buses, which make frequent stops, are almost everywhere.
The diligent Carrollwood bus accident attorneys at Moore Law are well-positioned to obtain maximum compensation for these injury victims. We work hard to obtain evidence in these claims. Then, we build a negligence claim, brick by brick. Our thorough preparation usually pays off in court. In our experience, students who do their homework usually do well on the tests.
What Causes Bus Accidents?
We mentioned one cause of bus accidents, distracted driving, above. Large buses were not designed to navigate narrow city streets. But every year, these buses get bigger, in order to accommodate more passengers. Operators need to focus all their mental energy on driving to safely operate these vehicles. But many bus drivers don’t get that chance.
In addition to tour hosts, bus drivers often have other responsibilities. They must tame unruly passengers before their disagreements become violent. Drivers must also ensure that the aisle is free from debris.
Operator fatigue also causes a significant number of bus crashes. Most people are naturally drowsy during certain times of day, like late night and early morning, even if they are otherwise well-rested. Many tour, intercity, and municipal buses are on the road during these times.
Bus drivers have a very high duty of care in Florida. Under state law, these operators have a duty of utmost care. They must safely deliver passengers from Point A to Point B. So, they must take affirmative steps to avoid traffic accidents. They must also go above and beyond in terms of on-board passenger safety.
As the old saying goes, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. The higher duty of care makes it easier for a Carrollwood bus accident lawyer to prove negligence, or a lack of care.
Obtaining Compensation for Injuries
Almost all injury claims settle out of court. If the issues are clear and the evidence is one-sided, the claim might settle right away. However, such claims are few and far between. The legal issues in bus crash cases are complex, and the evidence often points in different directions.
Therefore, attorneys usually file suit in these situations. This move pressures the insurance company into settling. Furthermore, filing legal paperwork is usually the only way to protect the victim’s legal rights.
Generally, Hillsborough County judges refer contested cases to mediation. Basically, mediation is a court-supervised settlement negotiation session that usually lasts a day. A third-party mediator meets with both sides and tries to engineer a settlement agreement.
During mediation, both sides have a duty to negotiate in good faith. They cannot simply go through the motions and they cannot have a “take it or leave it” attitude toward the settlement offers they present. Largely because of this additional duty, mediation is about 90 percent successful.
Reach Out to a Diligent Hillsborough County Lawyer
Injury victims are usually entitled to significant compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced bus accident lawyer in Carrollwood, contact Moore Law by going online or calling 813-510-5400. We do not charge upfront legal fees in these matters.
