Source: Nbcmiami.com
According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, a Miami-Dade Transit bus was involved in a crash on Thursday evening. Police officials had to shut down the eastbound side of Coral Way near Southwest 72nd Avenue while the crash was investigated. Drivers were asked to avoid the area altogether as the road was not reopened until nearly 8 p.m.
The accident occurred near Southwest 72nd and 75th Avenue in Southwest Miami-Dade when a bus ran off the roadway and crashed into a park. The accident occurred when the bus driver lost control of the bus while making a U-turn and ran over a median. Two people were injured and had to be taken to the hospital. The extent of their injuries is unknown.
Were You or a Loved one Injured in an Accident Involving a Common Carrier?
Because buses have a high center of gravity and typically carry unrestrained passengers, bus accidents can be disastrous, resulting in catastrophic injuries and unnecessary deaths. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident involving a bus, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. This is generally true whether you are a passenger, a pedestrian, motorcyclist or bicyclist, or the driver or passengers of another vehicle hit by a bus.
What is a Common Carrier?
In Florida, all types of buses including private buses, public transit buses, school buses, tour buses, or other types of commercial passenger buses are known as “common carriers”. A common carrier has been defined as a carrier which represents that it is engaged in the business of transporting persons or property for compensation, and whose services are offered to the general public. The privilege to operate common carriers can be acquired only by governmental permit, license or franchise.
The distinctive characteristic of a common carrier is that it undertakes to carry all people indifferently. In addition to buses, the term “common carrier” for public transportation purposes also includes railroads, airplanes, taxicabs, cruise ships, and ambulance services. In order for a common carrier to operate, they must adhere to certain industry specific regulations implemented to protect the general public. The law recognizes that a special relationship is created once a common carrier accepts a passenger for transportation. In this regard, common carriers owe a heightened duty of care to passengers and the general public. This special relationship imposes upon the common carrier the duty to exercise the highest degree of care for the safety of its passengers.
A common carrier owes its passengers the highest degree of care and vigilance for their safety consistent with the mode of transportation in the general operation of the carrier’s business. The rule applies to all phases of the carrier’s relations with its passengers, including when the passenger is entering or leaving the form of transportation provided by the carrier. The high degree of care imposed on a common carrier with respect to the safety of its passengers does not extend, however, to the point of making the carrier an absolute insurer of the safety of its passengers.
The carrier is not required to place a guard over passengers and deliver them to their destination safely, or keep them safe from harm, under any and all circumstances. Some negligent act on the part of the carrier or its employee must be shown in order to give rise to a cause of action for injuries sustained by a passenger.
Speak with a Personal Injury Attorney Today!
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries or death in a motor vehicle accident involving a common carrier, you may have a right to seek compensation for your losses. The Law Offices of Suarez & Montero Car Accident Attorneys is a personal injury law firm with locations in Miami and Broward. To discuss how we can assist you, call us or contact us online. We encourage you to learn more about and the successes our attorneys have had on behalf of individuals and families who have suffered serious personal injury in accidents involving common carriers.
