Different Types of Bus Accidents
Whether you rely on public transportation to commute to and from work or your child is a student who rides a bus to school every day, we depend on buses every single day to help us in our daily lives. Many Polk County residents also trust services like Citrus Connection to transport them throughout the city at an affordable cost while avoiding traffic. There are many different options available to fit the different needs of Florida’s varying populations.
However, the diverse and varying options also mean more opportunities for accidents. Some of the most common types of buses involved in Florida bus accidents include:
- Public transportation buses: City buses are essential for commuters and those without personal vehicles or transportation. However, these buses frequently operate in congested areas, like busy highways or urban streets.
- School bus accidents: Florida sees plenty of school bus accidents every year, which are particularly troubling due to the fact that many of the passengers on board are children. However, many school bus accidents also involve other pedestrians and drivers. These accidents may happen on the way to and from school, during a field trip, or at a bus stop.
- Charter buses: Tourists and Winter Haven residents alike may rely on charter and tour buses for transportation to and from certain events. Florida has no shortage of tourist destinations, and charter buses offer a convenient way to carry dozens of passengers at a time.
- Shuttle buses: Many shuttles, just like most buses, often lack protective gear like seatbelts. Shuttle buses are commonly used to transport passengers to and from places like the airport, hotels, or tourist attractions.
While most bus accidents occur either on public transportation or school buses, an accident can happen to anyone at almost any given time. Regardless of what type of bus you were in at the time of your accident, you may be entitled to compensation when another party’s negligence causes you injury. For more information about how the team at Kemp Injury Law can help after a Winter Haven bus accident, call us today and schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
What Causes Bus Accidents in Winter Haven?
Bus accidents happen every single day throughout the country, with thousands of accidents occurring every year. All vehicles on the road are at risk of being involved in an accident at any second, and buses are certainly no exception. Many different types of buses operate throughout the city of Winter Haven and Polk County every day and face the same risks and challenges that other vehicles on the road face.
Most bus accidents are shown to be caused by driver error, though there are a number of different factors that could contribute to a collision. The most common causes for bus accidents in Winter Haven and throughout the state of Florida include:
- Driver negligence: Negligence encompasses a wide range of driver errors behind the wheel. A negligent bus driver may engage in dangerous activities that put their passengers and other drivers at risk. Bus drivers are expected to responsibly provide safe transportation to passengers, though when they participate in reckless behavior, it can lead to serious accidents. Common forms of negligence among Florida bus drivers often include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving (texting and driving)
- Fatigued driving
- Aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Mechanical failures: Not all bus accidents can be blamed on the driver of the vehicle. Rather, some accidents may be caused by improper maintenance or a complete mechanical failure. Brake failures and tire blowouts may cause a driver to lose control of the bus, resulting in an accident.
- Other drivers: Many drivers struggle to drive alongside large trucks and buses and even though other vehicles are generally much smaller, they can still be responsible for causing an accident. Other drivers on the road may fail to yield or pass a bus illegally, putting themselves and others at risk.
- Poor conditions: While many accidents are avoidable, poor conditions and hazards on the road can greatly increase the chances of being involved in a collision. Potholes and uneven roads, as well as poorly marked roads and adverse weather conditions, can greatly impact a bus operator’s ability to safely maneuver the vehicle.
These are just a few of the common causes of Florida bus accidents, though every accident is different and may be influenced by a variety of different challenges. Sometimes, even unruly passengers on the bus can cause a distraction or injure themselves by standing and being reckless in the back of the bus. Sudden stops and sharp turns can also cause passengers to injure themselves. A lack of proper training for operators can also be a factor.
Regardless of the cause of your injury, you should not have to pay and suffer because of another party’s negligence. If a bus operator or another reckless driver on the road has caused you or a loved one harm in a Winter Haven bus accident, the team at Kemp Injury Law is prepared to help you pursue your rightful compensation.
Common Injuries in a Winter Haven Bus Accident
While some victims may be lucky enough to walk away with seemingly minor injuries, bus accidents can lead to serious and even fatal injuries depending on the circumstances. According to the FMCSA, there were
19 fatal bus accidents in the state of Florida in 2024, resulting in 26 total deaths. The size and weight of these vehicles, especially when traveling at high speeds, make them incredibly dangerous in the event of a collision, not to mention the lack of seat belts or protection inside the vehicle.
After being involved in a Winter Haven bus accident, you may experience a wide range of injuries, some of the most common including:
- Head and brain injuries: The impact of a bus accident may cause victims to violently hit their heads against the windows or interior of the bus, causing potential head and traumatic brain injuries. Victims are often thrown around during a bus crash and the lack of seat belts makes head injuries a common occurrence.
- Spinal cord injuries: One of the most severe and traumatic injuries that a bus accident victim can suffer is a spinal cord injury. These injuries can be life-altering, often resulting in paralysis and requiring lifelong medical care.
- Broken and fractured bones: The force of a bus crash often causes broken or fractured bones, especially if the victim is a pedestrian or an individual in a smaller vehicle. However, passengers and bus operators are also at-risk of breaking or fracturing bones during an accident.
- Neck injuries: Neck injuries, like whiplash, and back injuries are especially common in auto accidents, particularly bus accidents. Even in somewhat minor accidents, the impact of the collision commonly causes passengers' necks to jerk back and forth quickly, causing stiffness in the neck, headaches, and limited mobility.
- Lacerations and soft tissue injuries: Glass or metal debris from the accident can easily cut a victim, causing soft tissue injuries and bleeding. Bruises, sprains, strains, and torn ligaments are also common soft tissue injuries.
- Internal injuries: Finally, victims may not immediately notice, but internal injury and organ damage are common after a serious auto collision. Victims may have punctured lungs or be suffering internal bleeding without even noticing, highlighting the importance of seeking medical attention promptly after an accident. Even if you think you walked away without a scratch, internal damage could be life-threatening if left untreated.
Again, these are just a few examples of the many injuries that victims may suffer in a Winter Haven bus accident. It is also important to note that many victims involved in these accidents experience great mental and psychological distress after a serious collision, often experiencing feelings of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When injuries are severe enough, a victim may even experience a complete loss of enjoyment of life. Injuries like TBIs and spinal cord injuries are often life-altering and require consistent medical attention.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a Winter Haven bus accident, do not hesitate to reach out to our qualified team of personal injury attorneys. At Kemp Injury Law, we take great pride in helping injured victims and their families recover from serious injuries and claim the compensation that they need to move forward.
How Can an Attorney Help After a Winter Haven Bus Accident?
After suffering a serious injury or losing a loved one in a Winter Haven bus accident, taking legal action may not necessarily be the first thing on your mind. Most victims prioritize their recovery and are focused on healing from their injuries, rather than immediately seeking a payout. However, the team at Kemp Injury Law is here to step in and take the weight off of your shoulders when it comes to seeking justice. We take the stress of communicating with insurance companies and investigating your case out of your hands so you can focus on getting better.
There are a number of different ways in which we are prepared to step in and help after your Winter Haven bus accident. For example, an experienced bus accident attorney can help by:
- Investigating your accident: There are several parties that may share liability for your injuries. Our team will work diligently evaluating your case and collecting important evidence such as driver records, maintenance logs, surveillance footage, witness statements, and police reports to identify a responsible party and hold them accountable for their actions. It’s not always the bus operator who is automatically responsible. Other liable parties may include:
- Bus companies
- Other drivers
- Passengers
- Manufacturers
- Maintenance companies
- Negotiating with insurance companies: It is not uncommon for insurance companies to either attempt to deny your claim or minimize your payout as much as possible. Fortunately, Adam Kemp and the personal injury team at Kemp Injury Law have a wealth of experience communicating and negotiating with insurance companies and understand how to reach a fair settlement.
- Maximizing your compensation: We aren’t interested in reaching a quick settlement; we want to make sure that our clients are appropriately compensated and taken care of after an accident. That’s why we work tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation available for your injuries. We fight to claim compensation for our clients for things like:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and future earnings
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death
Having an experienced and dedicated Winter Haven bus accident attorney by your side can make all the difference in your case. We proudly serve injured victims in Winter Haven and beyond, offering our expertise not only in bus accident cases, but other personal injury cases such as:
Kemp Injury Law is here to help when you or a loved one has been seriously injured. Come see how our team can help make a difference in your case and take the first step toward justice today.
Contact Kemp Injury Law After a Winter Haven Bus Accident
If you have been seriously injured or have lost a loved one as a result of a Winter Haven bus accident, you need an attorney who will stand by your side every step of the way, offering you the personalized care and attention that you need to secure your compensation and recover.
At Kemp Injury Law, we proudly stand beside injured victims, working endlessly to fight for the maximum compensation and help victims and their families get their lives back on track. We offer the compassionate and personal legal support that many larger firms in Florida are unable to. Don’t wait;
call Adam Kemp and the team at Kemp Injury Law today and schedule a free consultation if you have been injured in a Winter Haven bus accident. Trust our team to provide you with the legal support you need to get back on your feet.
