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Bus accidents can result in serious injuries given the size and weight of these vehicles. On top of a difficult recovery process, injured victims also have to deal with the fact that the legal avenue for bus accident compensation is different from traditional car accident claims.
When you are injured in a wreck with a large bus, the best option is to seek help from a bus accident attorney in Fort Myers Beach. A lawyer from Viles & Beckman can help you navigate the legal claims process, gather and preserve evidence of your injuries, negotiate with opposing parties, and take the claim to court if necessary.
Time Limits in Bus Crash Cases in Fort Myers Beach
The deadline for filing a lawsuit for compensation after a Fort Myers Beach bus accident depends on the specific circumstances surrounding your wreck. Car accidents that result in bodily injury typically must be filed within four years of the incident, per Fla. Stat. § 95.11.
However, this can be shortened to a three-year time limit if your crash is with a bus operated by city or municipality employees, according to Fla. Stat. § 768.28. Additionally, you will need to provide an Intent to File notification and then wait 180 days before filing your official lawsuit.
Get in touch with a Fort Myers Beach personal injury law firm as soon as possible after your accident in order to determine the exact time limits that could apply to your case.
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How Much Is Your Bus Accident Claim Worth?
One of the most common questions after a serious injury is how much compensation your lawsuit could result in for you and your family. Unfortunately, there is no set answer to this. It depends on the value of your damages, which are split into two categories: economic harms and non-economic ones.
Types of Compensable Economic Harms
For starters, you can get compensation for any damages that directly affect your finances. These economic harms include items such as:
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical expenses related to your injury
- Car repair or replacement costs
- Lost wages due to injury-related absences from work
- Lost earning capacity due to disability or reduced ability
Non-Economic Harms You Can Get Compensation for
You can also get compensated for damages that don’t just apply to your economic situation. For example, more subjective, emotional, or mental harms fall into this category. Types of non-economic damages include:
- Physical pain
- Mental and emotional suffering
- Loss of consortium with your spouse
- Loss of enjoyment in life
This type of harm is typically much more difficult to place a value on. However, experienced bus accident attorneys in Fort Myers Beach can help you catalog your compensable damages and determine the total value of compensation you should fight for in your case.
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How Fault Is Determined in Fort Myers Beach Bus Accidents
“Fault” is the legal term that denotes who is liable for paying the injured person’s compensation. In bus accident claims, fault typically is attributed to the relevant causes of the accident. Bus accidents can have a wide range of causes, but some of the most common include:
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Failing to yield to traffic
- Running through stop signs or red lights
- Drunk or impaired driving
In your Fort Myers Beach bus crash claim, the court will weigh the various causes of the accident and determine how much fault lies on each party. Possible parties who could share blame for the wreck include:
- You
- The driver of the bus
- Government organizations
- The bus company
- Contractors responsible for building or maintaining the road
- Bus part manufacturers
If you are partially responsible for the accident in which you were injured, the good news is that you may still be able to sue the other party or parties for compensation. Florida uses a method called modified comparative negligence when handling personal injury claims. This means that as long as you are less than 50% responsible for the accident, you can still seek compensation.
However, your compensation will be reduced by the same percentage as your percentage of fault. So, if you are found to be 25% at fault, your compensation would be lessened by 25% as well.
Click To ContactGet a FREE Consultation With Experienced Fort Myers Beach Bus Accident Attorneys
At Viles & Beckman, we have experience handling bus crash claims in Fort Myers Beach. It costs you nothing to talk to a lawyer today, as we provide all potential clients with a FREE, no-obligation consultation to discuss the details of your accident and legal case.
If you are injured and looking for the compensation you deserve, get in touch with our bus accident lawyers in Fort Myers Beach today. Fill out the form on our contact page to schedule your free consultation or call our office to speak with a compassionate representative.
Call or text (239) 334-3933 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
