There are many types of buses that individuals utilize as their transportation from day-to-day. These include school buses, city buses, private charter buses, and even tour buses. In just one recent year, individuals took 241 million trips on buses. If you have ever ridden on a bus, you likely believe that they are some of the safest types of transportation on our roadways. Drivers are trained to transport individuals from place to place. However, in the blink of an eye, your life could be turned upside-down by a driver’s negligence.

Bus accidents typically occur due to the negligence of bus drivers, other drivers who share our roads, and objects that are on our roadways.

Common Causes of Florida Bus Accidents 

Intoxication: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has constructed a variety of guidelines stating that the operators of buses are not permitted to engage in drunk or drugged driving. However, this does not mean that drivers of buses will always follow the rules. When a bus driver has engaged in these acts, they will suffer severe penalties and will not be able to operate a bus in the future. These accidents can very easily lead to severe harm.

Distractions: Distracted driving takes place in many accidents that happen in Florida every day. Bus drivers commonly become distracted by a variety of aspects including texting on their phones, fiddling with the radio, talking to passengers, and more. Drivers must always keep their focus on the roads before them so that these accidents do not occur and put lives at risk.

Speeding: Bus drivers have to adhere to strict schedules in many cases. This might mean that they will occasionally break the speed limit. However, even once is too much and drivers could be risking the lives of everyone on our roads if they do not follow the speed limit. 

Driver Error: Bus drivers must obtain special licenses so that they can drive these large vehicles. Even so, bus drivers can still make mistakes at times. Bus drivers sometimes disobey signs and signals, improperly pass others, and do not always watch out for other vehicles on our roads. 

Mechanical Defects: Mechanical safety is an important aspect of a bus that is used to transport passengers from place to place. Bus companies are supposed to conduct routine safety checks on buses. However, sometimes mechanical defects are missed, which can lead to severe collisions. 

Road Conditions: Streets can be made in ways that are difficult for buses to navigate. There are many types of road conditions that can lead to bus accidents including weather conditions, asphalt damage, and construction zones.

How a Florida Personal Injury Attorney Can Help 

At Sheftall & Associates, our Florida accident attorneys have assisted many victims who have fallen victim to accidents due to the negligence of others. You have the right to bring a personal injury claim on behalf of the damages that you have sustained in an accident that is not your fault. The aftermath of a bus accident can be incredibly severe and leave you with lasting injuries that impact all aspects of your life on physical and financial levels. If you have been harmed and do not know where you can turn, please contact a bus accident attorney in Florida at (904) 575-9026 for the help you deserve.