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Bus Accidents

Most people do not generally have the same trepidation driving next to a bus as they do when they are driving next to an 18-wheeler. Buses are usually thought of as slow moving obstacles for drivers to maneuver around. Buses, however, are large dangerous machines.

The dangers inherent to buses is part of the reason they are placed in the same category of vehicles as semi-tractor trailers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the governing body on large trucks.

Lawyer for Bus Accidents in Miami-Dade, FL

If you have been injured in a bus accident you may find that bringing a lawsuit can be frustrating. You may find yourself in court against a bus company, a bus manufacturer, a school district, or even a city attorney. You need to make sure that you hire an experienced litigator to be on your side; otherwise you may risk losing out on the compensation you deserve. We proudly serve clients in the greater Miami-Dade area including Miami, Homestead, Hialeah, Pinecrest, Miami Gardens, Miami Beach, North Miami, Doral, Coral Gables and Cutler Bay.

The attorneys at Abrams Justice Trial Attorneys are veteran trial attorneys who know how to fight for your rights. We are ready to help you take the next step to recovery as long as you call us at (305) 709-0880 to set up an appointment.


Miami-Dade, FL, Bus Information Center


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Bus Crash Facts

When people see slow lumbering buses on the road they usually don’t think of them as huge injury hazards but statistics paint a different story. Included below is a selection of bus accident data.

  • 35,000 people are injured or killed every year in bus accidents, often causing multiple injuries
  • 8,000 bus accidents occur every year in the state of Florida according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
  • 2,700 school bus accidents occurred in Florida in 2015 according to the (FLHSMV)
  • 195,000 – 293,000 is the range for daily Metrobus riders in Miami alone
  • 34,000 passengers were riding in buses that were involved in accidents in Florida in 2016
  • 41 percent of fatal bus crashes involve transit buses
  • 38 percent of fatal bus crashes involve school buses

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Bus Regulations and Laws in Florida

Buses, except for school buses, are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA regulations are extensive and adopted across the country including in Florida. Due to the inherently dangerous nature of having large buses on the road, the laws governing buses are much more stringent than for other drivers and they are required to operate under the same laws as 18-wheelers and semi-trucks. Below is a sample of the standards required of bus drivers:

  • Bus drivers must have a Commercial Driver’s License to operate a bus.
  • Drivers are not allowed to operate a bus if their alertness is so impaired due to fatigue, illness, or other cause if it makes it unsafe for the driver to continue operating.
  • Bus drivers shall not possess, be under the influence of, or use any amphetamines, narcotics, or any substance which renders the driver incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle.
  • Bus drivers shall not use alcohol 4 hours before going on duty or have any measured alcohol concentration or detected presence while on duty.

School buses have their own state specific statutes.

  • School buses must not exceed the speed limit, and must not exceed a speed of 55 miles per hour.
  • School buses purchased after December 31, 2000 and used to transport children pre-K through 12 must have safety belts.
  • School buses must be equipped with: first aid kits; fire extinguisher; unbroken safety glass on all windows; inside rear view mirror capable of giving the driver a clear view of motor vehicles approaching from the rear; and securely anchored seats.
  • School buses must also carry liability insurance of either $100,000 or $5,000 multiplied by the rated seating capacity, whichever is greater.

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Florida Bus Accident Resources

FMCSA Bus Regulations – The FMCSA has extensive regulations for all commercial vehicle drivers.  This link will take you to the most substantive regulations.

Florida Statutes: Support for Learning – Chapter 1006 is the state’s statute regarding various ancillary school matters such as food and health services, student discipline, extracurriculars, and transportation of students. Transportation of students is in section “E.”


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Find a Bus Accident Attorney in Miami-Dade, FL

If you have been in a bus accident you may not know where to turn for help. You need to find an attorney that is not afraid to aggressively defend your interests. We represent people injured in auto accidents in communities throughout the Miami area including North Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Doral, Homestead, Cutler Bay, Hialeah, Coral Gables and Pinecrest.

Whether it be against a major corporation or the government, you need an experienced team of trial attorneys like the attorneys at Abrams Justice Trial Attorneys. Abrams Justice Trial Attorneys always fights tooth and nail for every client as if they were family. Call in to speak with our family at (305) 709-0880 and find out what we can do to help.


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