Fort Lauderdale is one of South Florida’s busiest transportation centers. Broward County Transit buses carry residents and commuters throughout the city, while private shuttles, motor coaches, and charter buses transport travelers between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Port Everglades, local hotels, cruise terminals, Downtown Fort Lauderdale, and the beach.
When a bus accident causes a serious injury, determining who is responsible can be considerably more complicated than after a typical car crash. The company whose name appears on the vehicle may not own the bus, employ the driver, maintain the vehicle, or carry the insurance responsible for the claim. An accident involving Broward County Transit can also involve Florida laws and procedures governing claims against governmental entities.
At Mesin & Co., Fort Lauderdale bus accident lawyer Eugene Mesin personally represents people injured while riding buses and those injured when buses collide with cars, motorcycles, bicycles, or pedestrians. Eugene investigates how the accident happened, identifies the individuals and entities that may be responsible, determines what insurance coverage is available, and takes steps to preserve evidence that may be important to the claim.
If you were seriously injured in a bus accident in Fort Lauderdale or elsewhere in Broward County, call (786) 944-6446 for a free consultation.
Why Bus Accident Claims Are Different From Car Accident Claims
A typical car accident often begins with two drivers and their automobile insurance policies. A Fort Lauderdale bus accident can involve an entirely different set of relationships.
The driver may work for Broward County, a school transportation provider, hotel shuttle company, private charter operator, or independent transportation contractor. One company may own the bus while another operates it. Maintenance may be performed by a separate business. Another negligent motorist may also have caused or contributed to the collision.
These distinctions can affect liability, insurance coverage, available evidence, and the procedures required to pursue the claim.
Bus operators may also possess evidence that does not ordinarily exist after a passenger-vehicle collision, including onboard surveillance footage, GPS information, electronic vehicle data, dispatch records, driver schedules, and maintenance histories.
If your injuries resulted from a conventional automobile collision, learn more about how Mesin & Co. handles Fort Lauderdale car accident cases.
Who Can Be Liable for a Fort Lauderdale Bus Accident?
Determining liability requires looking beyond the bus driver and identifying every person or entity whose conduct may have contributed to the accident.
A driver may cause a collision by speeding, following too closely, failing to yield, making an unsafe lane change, driving while distracted, or otherwise operating the bus negligently. Depending on the relationship between the driver and transportation provider, the driver’s employer may also be responsible.
Other cases involve failures that occurred before the bus ever reached the road. A transportation company may have failed to properly train or supervise a driver. A vehicle owner or maintenance provider may have failed to address a mechanical problem. Another motorist may have caused the bus to crash or forced the driver into an emergency maneuver.
Depending on the circumstances, potentially responsible parties may include the:
- Bus driver
- Governmental entity or transit agency
- Private transportation company
- Driver’s employer
- Bus owner
- Maintenance or repair contractor
- School or transportation contractor
- Another negligent driver
A thorough investigation should determine not only who caused the accident, but also which parties may be legally responsible and what insurance or other sources of recovery are available.
Types of Bus Accidents in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale’s transportation network includes far more than public buses. The city is home to a major international airport, one of the world’s busiest cruise ports, extensive hotel and tourism activity, and public transportation serving communities throughout Broward County.
The legal issues surrounding an accident can therefore depend heavily on the type of bus involved.
Broward County Transit Bus Accidents
Broward County Transit provides public bus transportation throughout Fort Lauderdale and surrounding Broward County communities. BCT buses regularly travel major local corridors such as Broward Boulevard, Sunrise Boulevard, Federal Highway, and State Road 7.
Passengers can be injured when a transit bus collides with another vehicle, but collisions are not the only source of injuries. Sudden braking, unsafe turns, boarding and exiting incidents, and collisions involving pedestrians or bicyclists can also result in serious harm.
Because Broward County Transit is operated by Broward County, these claims can involve Florida’s sovereign immunity laws and procedural requirements applicable to governmental entities.
Government ownership does not prevent an injured person from pursuing a valid negligence claim. It means the claim must be investigated and pursued under the legal framework applicable to a governmental defendant.
Fort Lauderdale Airport Shuttle Accidents
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport generates substantial shuttle and commercial transportation traffic throughout the city.
Travelers may use hotel shuttles, parking shuttles, private vans, charter transportation, and other services to travel between the airport and destinations throughout Broward County.
After an accident, it may not be immediately clear who actually operated the vehicle. The company arranging or advertising the transportation may be different from the business that owns the shuttle, employs the driver, or maintains the applicable insurance.
Identifying those relationships can be an important part of determining who is responsible.
Port Everglades and Cruise Shuttle Accidents
Port Everglades creates another transportation environment that is particularly relevant to Fort Lauderdale.
Cruise passengers are regularly transported between the port, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, hotels, parking facilities, and other South Florida destinations. Transportation may be provided by cruise-related businesses, charter companies, shuttle operators, hotels, or independent contractors.
When an accident occurs, the investigation should determine which company actually operated the vehicle and employed or controlled the driver. Contracts and business relationships between transportation providers may also become relevant when identifying responsible parties and applicable insurance coverage.
Private Charter and Tour Bus Accidents
Private charter buses and motor coaches may carry dozens of passengers at once. A single serious collision can therefore result in multiple injury claims involving the same transportation company and available insurance.
Charter operators may also be headquartered outside Fort Lauderdale or outside Florida. The company operating the vehicle, company owning it, driver’s employer, and entity responsible for maintenance may not necessarily be the same.
Depending on the circumstances, relevant issues can include driver qualifications, training, scheduling, vehicle inspections, maintenance, and company safety practices.
Fort Lauderdale School Bus Accidents
School bus accidents require particular attention because children may be injured during a collision, while boarding or exiting, or because of unsafe transportation practices.
A school bus operating in Fort Lauderdale may involve a public school system, private school, transportation contractor, or another provider. Identifying who owned and operated the vehicle is therefore an important part of determining which legal requirements apply.
When a child suffers a significant injury, the damages analysis must also consider the future. Permanent scarring, orthopedic injuries, neurological impairment, and other serious conditions may affect a child long after the accident itself.
Bus Passenger Injuries Without a Collision
A passenger does not necessarily have to be involved in a collision to suffer a serious injury on a bus.
Many buses permit passengers to stand or move through the vehicle. A sudden stop, acceleration, or turn can cause someone to fall or be thrown against a seat, pole, window, door, or the floor.
Whether those circumstances support a negligence claim depends on why the movement occurred.
A bus driver may have been reasonably responding to another vehicle that unexpectedly entered the bus’s path. In another case, surveillance footage or witness testimony may show that the driver’s own unsafe operation caused an unnecessary abrupt movement.
Because the physical movement of the bus is often disputed in these cases, onboard surveillance footage and independent witnesses can become particularly important.
Accidents Involving Pedestrians, Bicyclists, and Motorcyclists
Some of the most severe bus accident injuries occur to people outside the bus.
A pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist has little protection when struck by a large passenger vehicle. Unsafe turns, failure to yield, intersection collisions, distracted driving, and unsafe lane changes can result in catastrophic injuries.
Investigating these accidents may require examining traffic signals, right-of-way, driver visibility, vehicle positioning, witness accounts, surveillance footage, and electronic information from the bus.
If you were injured while walking, learn more about Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident claims. Mesin & Co. also represents victims in Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident cases and Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accidents.
Common Causes of Fort Lauderdale Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can result from the same driving errors that cause other motor vehicle crashes, but commercial and public transportation can introduce additional safety issues.
Potential causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Following other vehicles too closely
- Failure to yield
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper turns
- Driver fatigue
- Inadequate driver training
- Unsafe hiring or supervision
- Improper vehicle maintenance
- Mechanical failures
- Negligence by another motorist
Determining the cause can require more than reviewing the police report. Driver records, video, vehicle information, maintenance documents, and other evidence may reveal circumstances that were not apparent at the accident scene.
Evidence That Can Be Important in a Bus Accident Claim
Bus accident cases can generate substantial evidence, but much of it may remain under the control of a transit agency or private transportation company.
Depending on the circumstances, relevant evidence may include:
- Interior and exterior surveillance footage
- GPS and location data
- Electronic vehicle information
- Dispatch communications
- Driver schedules and trip records
- Driver qualification and training materials
- Vehicle inspection reports
- Maintenance and repair histories
- Internal incident reports
- Police reports and photographs
- Nearby business or traffic-camera footage
- Passenger and independent witness statements
Some records may be retained for only a limited period. Identifying potentially important evidence and taking appropriate steps to preserve it can therefore be critical after a serious Fort Lauderdale bus accident.
Insurance Coverage After a Fort Lauderdale Bus Accident
Determining insurance coverage can be more complicated in a bus accident than in a conventional car crash.
Depending on the circumstances, an injured passenger may have access to Personal Injury Protection benefits under Florida law. A private bus or shuttle operator may carry commercial liability coverage. If another driver caused or contributed to the collision, that driver’s insurance may also become relevant.
Multiple companies connected to the transportation service can create additional coverage questions. The company whose name appears on a shuttle may not be the entity that owns the vehicle or employs the driver.
The insurance investigation should therefore follow the actual ownership, employment, and transportation relationships rather than assuming that only one policy applies.
Common Injuries From Bus Accidents
The size and weight of a bus can produce substantial forces during a collision. Passengers inside the bus may also be thrown against hard interior surfaces, particularly when they are standing or otherwise unrestrained.
Serious bus accident injuries can include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Herniated discs
- Fractures
- Torn ligaments and tendons
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Nerve damage
- Internal injuries
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
Some victims recover after a period of treatment and rehabilitation. Others require surgery or are left with chronic pain, neurological impairment, permanent physical limitations, or an inability to return to their previous employment.
Compensation Available After a Fort Lauderdale Bus Accident
The value of a serious bus accident claim is not determined solely by the amount of the medical bills.
Depending on the circumstances and applicable Florida law, damages may include compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Surgery and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability or impairment
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage when applicable
A victim who makes a complete recovery after conservative treatment presents a different damages claim from someone who requires surgery, cannot return to the same occupation, or will require future medical care.
When a bus accident results in death, surviving family members may have claims under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act. Learn more about Fort Lauderdale wrongful death claims.
Special Rules for Claims Involving Broward County Transit
Claims involving Broward County Transit require particular attention because Broward County is a governmental entity.
Florida Sovereign Immunity and Bus Accident Claims
Florida law permits negligence claims against governmental entities under specified circumstances, but those claims are subject to statutory procedures and limitations that differ from ordinary lawsuits against private defendants.
When Broward County Transit is involved, identifying the proper governmental entity and determining which statutory requirements apply should occur early in the case.
Notice and Presuit Requirements
A claim against a governmental entity can require notice and compliance with presuit procedures before a lawsuit may proceed.
These requirements are separate from the ultimate statute of limitations. Waiting until the lawsuit deadline approaches can therefore create unnecessary complications.
There is also a practical reason to act promptly: important evidence can disappear much sooner. Onboard surveillance footage may be overwritten, witnesses can become harder to locate, and electronic or operational records may become more difficult to obtain.
How Long Do You Have to File a Fort Lauderdale Bus Accident Lawsuit?
For most Florida negligence claims arising from a bus accident, the statute of limitations is two years.
The deadline can become more complicated when Broward County Transit or another governmental entity is involved because additional notice and presuit requirements may apply.
The two-year statute of limitations should not be treated as a reason to wait. Evidence necessary to prove the case may disappear long before the legal deadline expires.
What to Do After a Bus Accident in Fort Lauderdale
The steps taken immediately after an accident can help protect both your health and your ability to document what occurred.
- Seek medical attention. Some injuries may not be fully apparent immediately after the accident. Appropriate medical evaluation also creates documentation of the injuries and treatment.
- Report the accident. Make sure the incident is reported to the driver, transportation provider, law enforcement, or other appropriate entity.
- Identify the bus. Preserve the route number, vehicle number, license plate, ticket, receipt, reservation confirmation, or any other information identifying the bus and transportation company.
- Document the scene. If you are physically able, photograph the vehicles, surrounding area, visible injuries, and other relevant conditions.
- Identify witnesses. Obtain contact information from passengers or other witnesses rather than assuming their information will appear in an official report.
- Be careful with insurance statements. Before providing a detailed recorded statement, understand who is requesting it and why.
How Eugene Mesin Investigates a Fort Lauderdale Bus Accident
At Mesin & Co., a serious bus accident case begins with determining exactly what happened rather than simply waiting for medical treatment to conclude and forwarding records to an insurance company.
Eugene Mesin personally handles every bus accident case accepted by the firm. The investigation may include identifying the owner and operator of the bus, determining the driver’s employment relationship, evaluating other potentially responsible parties, locating applicable insurance coverage, obtaining available records, and taking steps to preserve evidence.
The medical side of the case develops at the same time.
As treatment progresses, Eugene evaluates the diagnoses, objective findings, procedures, prognosis, future medical needs, work limitations, and permanent effects of the injuries. When appropriate, medical, economic, accident reconstruction, or other qualified professionals may be used to address disputed issues.
The objective is to build the case around two fundamental questions: why did the accident happen, and how has it affected the client?
Why Hire Eugene Mesin for a Fort Lauderdale Bus Accident Case?
Bus accident cases can involve governmental entities, commercial transportation companies, multiple insurance policies, complicated business relationships, and evidence that must be preserved early.
At Mesin & Co., you work directly with Eugene Mesin.
The firm intentionally limits the number of cases it accepts so that Eugene can remain personally involved in the investigation, strategy, negotiations, and significant decisions affecting each client. Your case is not simply handed from intake personnel to a revolving group of case managers.
A former United States Marine and University of Florida-trained attorney, Eugene approaches serious injury cases with careful preparation, straightforward communication, and litigation in mind from the beginning.
That approach is particularly important in bus accident cases, where determining the proper defendants and securing evidence early can materially affect the strength of the claim.
Learn more about Eugene Mesin and Mesin & Co. or review the firm’s case results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Lauderdale Bus Accident Claims
Can I file a claim if I was injured while riding a bus?
Potentially. A passenger injured because of another person’s or company’s negligence may have a claim against the responsible parties. The bus driver is not necessarily the only potential defendant, so the circumstances of the entire accident should be investigated.
What if another driver caused the bus accident?
You may still have a claim even when the bus driver was not responsible. If another motorist caused the collision, that driver and the applicable insurance coverage may become the primary sources of recovery. Some accidents involve negligence by multiple parties.
Can I sue Broward County Transit after a bus accident?
A valid negligence claim may be pursued against Broward County when the facts and Florida law support it. Because Broward County is a governmental entity, however, sovereign immunity, notice requirements, and other statutory procedures can affect how the claim must be handled.
Can I have a claim if the bus never crashed?
Possibly. Passengers can be seriously injured during sudden braking, acceleration, turns, or other movements without the bus colliding with another vehicle. Whether there is a viable claim depends on why the movement occurred and whether negligence caused the injury.
What if I was injured on an airport, hotel, or cruise shuttle?
The claim may involve the company that actually owned and operated the vehicle rather than simply the hotel, cruise-related business, or other company associated with the transportation. Identifying the vehicle owner, driver’s employer, transportation contractor, and available insurance is an important part of the investigation.
How much is a Fort Lauderdale bus accident case worth?
There is no standard settlement amount. The value depends on factors including the severity and permanence of the injuries, medical treatment, future care, lost income, reduced earning ability, pain and suffering, available insurance coverage, and the parties legally responsible for the accident.
How long do I have to file a Fort Lauderdale bus accident claim?
Most Florida negligence lawsuits arising from bus accidents must be filed within two years. Claims involving Broward County or another governmental entity can also involve additional notice and presuit requirements.
Because surveillance footage, electronic information, and other evidence may disappear much sooner, a serious bus accident should be investigated promptly.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Bus Accident Lawyer
After a serious bus accident, the transportation company, government agency, or insurance carrier may begin investigating immediately. Determining who is responsible and preserving evidence should not be delayed while you are dealing with medical treatment and recovery.
At Mesin & Co., you work directly with attorney Eugene Mesin. Eugene personally investigates the accident, identifies potentially responsible parties and available insurance coverage, communicates with the insurers and entities involved, documents the full extent of the injuries, and prepares the case for litigation when necessary.
If you were injured while riding a bus, struck by a bus, or involved in a collision with a Broward County Transit bus, school bus, airport shuttle, cruise transfer, hotel shuttle, charter bus, or other passenger transportation vehicle in Fort Lauderdale, call (786) 944-6446 or contact Mesin & Co. online for a free consultation.
There are no attorney’s fees or costs unless we recover compensation for you.
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Eugene Mesin is fluent in Russian and welcomes inquiries from Russian-speaking clients throughout Florida