Public and private transport companies are held to a higher standard of care to ensure the safety of their passengers, so they must abide by specific rules and regulations.
Yet, despite strict operational policies and practices, bus accidents still occur and result in severe injuries for victims. If you’ve been injured, our Panama City bus accident attorneys may be able to help.
If you were injured in a bus accident in Panama City, Florida, and it was not your fault, you may wonder if you can recover compensation. The short answer is most likely yes, but the claims process can be complex. Our Panama City personal injury lawyers can answer that question in more detail. Contact Ged Lawyers today for a free consultation.
How Ged Lawyers Can Help After a Bus Accident in Panama City
After an accident, you may be dealing with physical pain alongside the stress of your accident trauma and financial burdens. Our personal injury lawyers are here to take on the legal process so that you can take on the task of recovering.
We will:
- Investigate your accident to build a well-supported claim and determine all liable parties
- File all necessary paperwork
- Communicate with insurance adjusters and other insurance company representatives
- Negotiate for fair compensation
- Guide you through the settlement process
- Represent your case in court if needed
We’ve recovered over $26 million for our clients, and we will advocate for you to receive the maximum compensation you qualify to receive.
While PIP Is Convenient, It Does Have Several Drawbacks in Bus Accident Cases
It can be difficult to determine who is responsible for a bus accident and how to pursue the compensation you need afterward, especially while coping with your injuries.
Florida follows a no-fault system, so injured passengers can submit claims with their auto insurance personal injury protection (PIP) up to the policy limits. Otherwise, you could file an insurance claim with the bus company’s liability policy. However, the claims process can get complicated if it is a public bus.
If you are a motorist suffering injuries after a bus hit you, you would use your own PIP insurance coverage. As a cyclist or pedestrian with PIP, you are covered if you are injured in a bus accident.
While PIP coverage can alleviate some of the frustration of settling straightforward personal injury claims, it does have several limitations, such as:
- Injuries and other losses from bus accidents can easily exceed your policy limits
- Some treatments and procedures are not covered under PIP
- Pain and suffering damages (such as emotional trauma) are not included in this type of coverage
- PIP will only pay 80% of your medical costs and 60% of your lost wages up to policy limits
- There may be deductibles, depending on your policy plan
An additional option could be your uninsured/underinsured motorist option. With Florida having such a large population of uninsured drivers, we highly recommend that drivers carry this optional policy.
If Your Case Is Complex, Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit May Be Necessary
Unfortunately, most bus accident claims are not straightforward. In cases involving serious injuries and multiple negligent parties, such as the bus driver, their employer, or another negligent party, it may be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit to pursue the full financial recovery of your losses.
Using this recovery method, you will need to prove the other party’s negligence, which can be challenging due to the amount of evidence necessary to support your case. Further, the other side will likely fight hard to avoid settling in your favor, but you should not have to suffer for someone else’s mistake.
Our bus accident attorneys serving Panama City have the dedication, commitment, focus, and resources to pursue complex injury cases. Our job is to cut through the legal jargon and make compensation claiming as stress-free as possible for our clients. Founded in 1995, we have plenty of experience to draw from, which can help bring peace of mind that your case is in capable hands.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered by a Panama City Bus Accident Attorney?
You may qualify for compensation that covers a range of both economic and non-economic losses. These include:
- Pain and suffering, which includes damages for your physical pain and also any emotional trauma caused, such as insomnia, anxiety, or PTSD
- The cost of your medical bills, treatment, and rehabilitation
- Ongoing healthcare if your injuries are permanent
- Loss of earnings, present and future, due to the injuries caused in the accident
- Other financial losses, such as property damage or travel costs for medical appointments, as a direct consequence of the accident
We will determine your full range of damages and seek a settlement that will address your current losses and possible future needs.
Who Can File a Personal Injury Claim?
The following parties can claim injuries sustained in an accident involving a bus where the driver or another third party was negligent:
- Passengers on the bus
- Parents on behalf of children hurt in a bus accident
- Pedestrians
- Cyclists
- Other motorists injured by a negligent bus driver
We will investigate your accident to identify fault and liability.
What Injuries Can You Seek Compensation for?
The risk of serious injuries is often greater as a passenger on a bus since these vehicles do not have or enforce the use of seatbelts. You can file a claim for any physical or emotional harm caused in the accident; however, some of the most common types of injuries we encounter are:
- Whiplash injuries
- Concussion and other traumatic brain injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Deep cuts and lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
These are just a handful of the many potential injuries that can result from a bus accident. If you have questions about your injuries or are unsure if you have a case, it can be beneficial to learn about your legal options through a free case review.
There is no obligation in doing this, and it can be helpful to know your rights before talking with an insurer.
Your Time to Seek Compensation Is Limited
Though you may seek compensation through an insurance claim, there is a time limit that will affect you. Filing a personal injury lawsuit is typically only two years, per Florida Statutes§ 95.11. If we are unable to secure a fair settlement for your losses through negotiations with the insurers, we will want to take your case to court.
If the two-year statute of limitations expires, you will be unable to sue. Then, whatever settlement the insurance companies do offer, you will be left to cover the difference in your losses.
You don’t have to let this happen to you. We can keep your case on track, but you must contact us as soon as you can.
How Can You Afford a Personal Injury Attorney in Panama City?
After an accident, money worries can be at the top of your mind. You have medical bills, lost income, and other considerations on top of your daily expenses. We know how hard it can be to commit to yet another expense, so our personal injury team works on a contingency-fee basis.
As well as providing a free initial consultation, our no-win, no-fee pay structure means we fund the cost of building and pursuing your injury case. This agreement means we only recover our fees when we receive a favorable settlement or trial verdict on your behalf.
Our Panama City Bus Accident Lawyers Fight Tirelessly for the Compensation You Deserve
At Ged Lawyers, our Panama City bus accident attorneys understand how frustrating it is to have your life suddenly upturned in an accident caused by someone else. We know the challenges you face and the worries you have.
We also know how to help you get your life back on track and fight for the compensation you deserve. You do not have to face this difficult time alone. We will be at your side every step of the way.
Call for a free consultation with our team today if you have questions or want to know more about your legal options.
