Did you suffer injuries while using public transportation in Clearwater, FL? Mass transit injury cases can be complex. Multiple injury victims may be involved, and you’ll likely have to deal with a commercial insurance company.
An experienced Clearwater mass transit accident lawyer can deal with the legal issues and fight for compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and more. Our team at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers has already recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
We bring over 119 years of combined legal experience to the table. To learn more about how we can help, contact our law offices in Clearwater, Florida, at (727) 493-4418 for a free consultation today.
How Can Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers Help With My Clearwater Mass Transit Accident Claim?
Victims of mass transit accidents often find themselves dealing with large corporations, government agencies, and their insurance companies. These agencies have virtually endless resources. Unfortunately, they often use their power to bully victims into taking far less than they deserve.
Hiring an experienced Clearwater personal injury attorney is the best way to even the playing field.
At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re relentless when it comes to helping injury victims get just compensation. Injury victims across the Tampa Bay area have trusted us for legal representation since we opened our doors in 2001.
You can trust our lawyers to:
- Determine the cause of your accident
- Identify all parties who are legally responsible for your damages
- Work with respected experts who can strengthen your case
- Defend against any claims that you somehow caused the accident
- Assess your losses and calculate your case value
- Negotiate with the insurance company, defense lawyers, and at-fault parties
Our Clearwater personal injury lawyers won’t stop until we’ve recovered the maximum compensation possible in your case. We’re ready to get started today, so give us a call to schedule your free, no-obligation case review today.
How Common Are Accidents Involving Mass Transit Vehicles in Florida?
According to preliminary data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), at least 1,209 bus accidents occurred across Florida in 2023 alone. Of that total, 954 people were injured. Another 29 people were killed.
At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of mass transit accident cases, including those involving:
- Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) buses
- SunRunner buses
- Suncoast Beach trolley services
- Central Avenue Looper trolley services
- Trolley Park & Ride services
- Jolley Trolley tours
- Amtrak passenger train services
Public transit is typically a great way to get around Clearwater. However, when accidents do happen, the resulting injuries can be severe. That’s especially true when pedestrians are involved.
If you were injured in an accident involving a bus, train, or trolley, our lawyers in Clearwater are here to help. Give us a call today to learn more about your legal options.
What Is My Mass Transit Accident Case Worth?
A range of factors can impact the value of your personal injury claim, including:
- The seriousness of your injuries
- Your current expenses, including medical treatment costs
- Anticipate future expenses for medical care, rehabilitation, assistance, and more
- Any lost income during your recovery
- Whether any long-term disability will reduce your future earning power
- How the injury will change the way you live
- Your age and life expectancy
- Physical pain and emotional trauma
- Whether your own acts played any role in causing the crash
Every crash and every victim are different. Speaking to an experienced attorney about your case is important before agreeing to an insurance settlement.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Mass Transit Accidents in Clearwater?
If someone else caused your injuries, you should be able to recover compensation for all of your losses. In Florida, that includes economic damages and non-economic damages.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be entitled to money for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Specialized therapies
- Nursing assistance
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- PTSD and fear
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
In Florida, you can only receive punitive damages if you can prove the defendant’s acts were intentional or amounted to gross negligence. In other words, punitive damages are only available if the defendant’s acts were especially shocking or reckless.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Clearwater?
Our law firm handles cases on a contingency fee basis. Like most personal injury lawyers, we don’t charge hourly rates, and hiring us will cost you nothing upfront. Our attorney’s fees are a set percentage of the compensation we recover for you, which means we only get paid if we successfully handle your case.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Partly To Blame for Causing a Mass Transit Accident in Florida?
It’s always possible that someone will blame you for causing your own injuries. Under Florida law, your compensation award will be reduced if you share any fault for the crash.
With Florida’s modified comparative negligence law, you can lose your right to damages entirely if you’re found to be more than 50% responsible. Our lawyers will work hard to minimize the level of fault assessed to you and aim to recover as much money as possible.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Mass Transit Accident Injuries
Accidents involving mass transit vehicles can cause a variety of injuries. At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, we know that even a relatively “minor” injury can make life difficult. When you suffer severe injuries, you could struggle with the consequences for years.
That’s why we handle all types of personal injury claims, including those involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Whiplash injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
We want to make the process as easy as possible; give us a call, and we’ll arrange a time to discuss your case at your convenience.
What Causes Most Mass Transit Accidents in Florida?
Like any car accident, mass transit accidents tend to happen because someone is careless. People who operate mass transit systems are human like anyone else. When they’re careless and make mistakes, however, they’re much more likely to cause widespread damage.
Some specific examples of why mass transit accidents occur include:
- Distracted drivers and operators
- Inexperienced bus drivers
- Speeding
- Failure to yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists at intersections
- Failure to provide proper pre-and-post-trip vehicle inspections
- Aggressive driving
- Failure to account for wide turns and longer stopping times
- Failure to check blind spots
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Failure to maintain the lane
- Failure to provide proper safety protection, including guardrails
- Mechanical failures
- Drunk driving or drug use
- Dangerous conditions on the trolley or bus, which can lead to slips and falls
- Dangerous conditions at bus and trolley stops
- Passenger violence
Identifying the cause of the mass transit accident is critical to establishing liability. As a victim, it can be difficult to get the evidence you need to prove your case. Our lawyers in Clearwater are here to handle the visitation and determine the cause of your accident. Just call our law firm today to learn about legal representation.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Mass Transit Accident in Clearwater?
As the victim, you have the burden of proving that someone else’s acts or omissions caused your injuries.
The legal elements of a negligence claim are:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
In plain English, you must show that someone had a duty to be careful, somehow failed to honor that duty, and directly caused your injuries. You’ll also have to prove the level of damages you suffered as a result.
Who is Responsible for Paying My Damages After a Mass Transit Accident in Clearwater?
Mass transit drivers are often responsible for causing accidents. That doesn’t mean they’re the only parties who can be held liable for your damages.
In cases involving mass transit, multiple parties may be legally responsible, including:
- Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority
- Other government agencies
- Private bus companies
- Negligent passengers
- Third-party motorists
- Companies hire to inspect buses, trains, or trolley vehicles
- Manufacturers of defective safety features
When multiple parties share blame, each party can be liable for their share of the damage.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Mass Transit Accident in Florida?
The statute of limitations in Florida is now two years. You have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Once the deadline passes, you forfeit your right to take legal action.
You’ll have much less time to act if a government agency is a defendant. Contact our Clearwater mass transit accident attorneys right away if you were hurt.
Arrange a Free Consultation With a Clearwater Mass Transit Accident Lawyer Today
It’s important to take legal action quickly if you were injured in an accident involving public transit. An experienced Clearwater mass transit accident lawyer can handle the paperwork and make sure you meet the deadline while you recover. Call Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers today to learn more about your legal options.
