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By its very nature, Florida is a state that courts tourists from around the world and encourages them to relax, cut loose, and keep an open tab. Our economy thrives on people who want to visit and have a good time, and there are plenty of businesses here happy to bring them in and take them around so that they do not have to worry about trying to drive or walk from place to place.
For the most part, this is a smart choice for visitors to make. Traffic of all kinds is intense in our state, and anyone who is going to be drinking alcohol should avoid getting behind the wheel at all costs. Taking a bus or calling a limo is by far the safer decision to make.
But the attorneys at the Law Office of Andrew Winston know that just because something is safer, that does not make it safe. While the vast majority of people who come to Florida and use professional transportation do not have any problems, accidents still occur from time to time, and often they are due to overzealous drivers from these companies who are trying to get you from place to place as quickly as possible so that they can collect a tip and move on to their next job.
At the Law Office of Andrew Winston, we do not believe that this is right. If you are injured in an accident because the driver of your limo or bus was acting in a reckless or negligent manner, you should not be the one who foots the bill for your recovery. You deserve compensation, and we promise to fight for you until you receive what is owed to you.
You might think that a bus or limousine accident will be handled just like a regular car accident, but in reality that is not the case. There are confusing, complex rules and regulations that govern the operation of these kinds of vehicles in the South Florida area which can greatly impact your insurance claim or legal case.
Beyond this, the situation is far different from dealing with an individual driver and his or her insurance company because bus and limo companies are big businesses in this state, and you can be sure that they will do all that they can to protect themselves, including bringing in the best legal team that money can buy.
That is why you want to make sure that you have professionals on your side with just as much experience and knowledge. The legal team at the Law Office of Andrew Winston has successfully handled all kinds of injuries stemming from accidents involving professional drivers and companies, including people hurt in limousines and buses, and we can help you, too. We know the statutes that apply in these kinds of cases backwards and forwards, as well as how to best use them to win you compensation.
When limousines and buses get into accidents, even seemingly minor fender benders can cause serious injuries. Why? Because people ride in these types of vehicles differently. Most of the time, passengers do not have the benefit of seat belts or other types of restraints, so a simple bump can send someone flying. There is also more danger because of the increased number of people – often it is not just one person who gets tossed around, but several. Flying and flailing limbs can cause just as much harm as the actual crash, and you need to work with lawyers who understand this and how to use it to benefit your case.
Some of the most serious injuries involving buses and limos do not necessarily involve passengers, but the vehicle or pedestrian that was hit. Because both of these types of vehicles are far bigger than the average car out on the road, damage tends to be far more severe. Many people end up suffering permanent injury, and it is not uncommon for victims to die after being hit by one of these vehicles.
There are obviously all kinds of things that can cause a bus or limousine to get into an accident, but a surprising number are due to various kinds of negligence or recklessness, either by the driver or the company that is employing them. Here are some of the most common reasons that limos and buses crash:
Fatigued drivers. Some companies expect or encourage their drivers to work long shifts in order to get passengers where they want to go as quickly as possible, and some drivers choose to do so because they make more money this way. Unfortunately, this often causes drivers to become overtired and may lead to mistakes on the road.
Lack of qualifications. Sadly, it is not unheard of for bus and limousine companies to hire drivers who simply are not qualified to be driving around a large group of people in a large vehicle. If this is the case in your situation, the business needs to be held responsible to make sure they do not do this again and hurt someone else.
Distracted driving. Even though they are supposed to be professionals, that does not stop limo and bus drivers from engaging in many of the same distracting behaviors that cause regular drivers to get into accidents. If the driver was using his or her cell phone while behind the wheel or was distracted for some other reason, make sure to notify your lawyer immediately.
Reckless driving. Was the driver speeding? Did he or she neglect to check blind spots? Did they turn onto a road where buses are forbidden? There are all kinds of bad behaviors that professional drivers display that increase their chances of getting into an accident.
Improper maintenance. Sometimes, the driver does not make a mistake at all, but because the company did not properly maintain their vehicle, something goes wrong at the worst possible time and people get hurt. A good lawyer will know to look into the maintenance history of the responsible vehicle to see if there are any issues.
After a bad bus or limo accident, reaching out to personal injury attorneys is probably the last thing on your mind, but if you want the compensation you need to get your life back on track, you cannot delay. The earlier our lawyers at the Law Office of Andrew Winston can start working on your case, the better your chances at a positive outcome.
Contact us today for a free initial consultation where we can discuss the details of your case and go over potential strategies. You can get in touch by completing our short online case review form, emailing awinston@aywlaw.com, or calling:
Toll-Free: 866-306-9606
South Florida: 954-606-6606