Bus, Train & Aircraft Accidents
Fortunately, bus, train and aircraft accidents are not a daily occurrence in Florida. However, when these sorts of accidents occur, the injuries are usually severe. Commercial buses, trains, and aircraft are categorized under both Florida and Federal law as Common Carriers. In order to operate legally, these common carriers must follow a variety of state and federal regulations, which have been implemented to benefit the general public.
A common carrier is required to operate with the highest degree of care, knowledge and safety in the transport of passengers to their final destinations. The Law Offices of Marc Schiller, P.A. has successfully represented injured passengers of common carriers and those involved in accidents with a common carrier.
Commercial Buses and School Buses
Within the State of Florida there are more than 20,000 buses transporting more than 600,000 people every day. Commercial buses are broken down into two categories: (1) City/Municipality Owned and (2) Company Owned. When injuries occur on city owned buses there are Florida laws that restrict the amount of damages an injured person may recover. People injured on company owned buses such as Charter buses, are not limited in the amount that can be recovered for severe injuries. The most common causes of bus accident cases are careless and reckless driving by the bus operator, and failure of the owner to properly maintain the bus. The Law Offices of Marc Schiller, P.A. has represented many clients who have been injured either as a bus passenger or as the operator of an automobile or bicycle that was struck by a bus.
Trains
A majority of the cases we have handled involving train accidents deal with either trains colliding with automobiles or passengers who were injured while the train was in motion. At all times, a train must be operated pursuant to laws of the state in which it is passing through and federal law. Many train accidents occur as the result of careless or reckless operation by the engineer of the train. The Law Offices of Marc Schiller, P.A. has handled multiple train accident cases, which have occurred in Florida and other locations.
Airplane
Unfortunately, many airplane accidents result in the death of all the passengers. Florida has adopted laws, which allow family member survivors to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the deceased. Please view our page on Wrongful Death to learn more about your potential claim. Most commercial airplane accidents involve federal law, therefore Marc Schiller can represent victims of airplane accidents that occur in both Florida and other locations around the world.
Things You Can Do If You or A Family Member Has Been Involved In An Accident With A Common Carrier
- Obtain copies of any documents that will prove you purchased transportation on a particular Common Carrier on the date of Accident. An example would be your boarding pass or receipt for the purchase of a ticket.
- Do not discuss your case or accept any forms of compensation from the Common Carrier or its insurance company. Acceptance of any form of compensation may waive your right to sue. If possible, take pictures of the scene of the accident and the common carriers involved in the accident.
- Take pictures of any physically visible cuts, bruises, or scars you have suffered.
- Try to obtain the name of the person who operated the Common Carrier vehicle at the time of the accident. In a bus accident, it would be helpful to have the name and drivers license number of the driver.
- Obtain the names and contact information of any people who witnessed or were also involved in the accident.
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