Florida is one of the top tourist destinations in the country, and tour buses are a big part of how visitors get around once they arrive. These vehicles carry large groups of passengers throughout the state and are meant to provide a fun experience for everyone involved.
However, if a tour bus is involved in a Florida accident with another car or truck, the resulting injuries can be widespread, and the legal process that follows can be relatively complicated. Continue reading to learn about what your legal rights and options may be in these circumstances.
The Heightened Duty of Care for Florida Tour Bus Companies
Florida law classifies tour bus operators as common carriers, which holds them to the highest degree of care for passenger safety. This standard requires the company to act the way a very careful operator would under similar circumstances. It applies not just to how the bus is driven, but also to how the driver was hired, how the vehicle is maintained, and how the company plans its routes and manages passenger safety during boarding and stops.
If a tour bus company falls short of this standard, injured passengers can bring a personal injury claim, as can anyone else who was injured in the collision. The common carrier classification also means the company is responsible for the actions of its driver under the doctrine of vicarious liability.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Florida Tour Bus Accident?
Florida does not place a cap on compensatory damages in cases involving private tour bus companies. Injured passengers can pursue both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover your financial losses, such as:
- Medical bills, past and future
- Lost wages
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Travel expenses related to your medical care
Non-economic damages address the personal impact of a Florida accident, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Mental anguish and trauma
Punitive damages may also be available if the tour bus company’s conduct was particularly reckless, though these require a higher standard of proof and are not awarded in most cases.
What Injured Tourists Need To Know About Filing a Claim in Florida
Many tour bus accident victims in Florida are visitors from out of state or from another country. If that applies to you, it is important to know that you still have the right to file a claim under Florida law. You do not need to be a Florida resident to pursue compensation for a Florida accident that happened here.
Florida’s two-year statute of limitations applies to your case regardless of where you live, so the clock starts running on the date of the accident, no matter what. Working with a Florida personal injury attorney makes it possible to manage everything remotely while your legal team handles your claim on your behalf.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney for Help After a Florida Tour Bus Accident
If you have questions about what to do after a tour bus accident in Florida, the best thing you can do is seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury lawyer. During your free consultation, you can get some initial guidance about your best course of action and learn more about what your case may be worth.
Contact an attorney with Elliott Law Firm today to get started by calling (800) 300-0303 or by reaching out to us online. You do not have to be a Florida resident to file a claim, and you only pay attorney’s fees if your case results in a successful recovery.