Public transportation should be safe and reliable, especially in a city like Tallahassee, where thousands of people depend on it for their everyday activities. Whether you are taking a StarMetro to go shopping downtown or using it to avoid traffic on your way to work, you trust bus drivers to uphold the highest standards of care. When a bus operator decides to drink and drive, that trust may be lost forever.
At Fasig | Brooks, we live and work in the city, so we know how drunk driving bus accidents in Tallahassee may affect your life. Our team of bus accident attorneys has decades of experience to help you seek justice, and we take pride in supporting our neighbors when negligence turns routine travel into tragedy.
What Risks Do Alcohol-Related Bus Crashes Pose to People?
Buses are significantly heavier and longer than other passenger vehicles on the road, which makes them more unwieldy and harder to control. As such, bus operators must have more skill and awareness while behind the wheel. Alcohol, however, slows down reaction time and reduces concentration, meaning drinking before driving a bus is substantially more dangerous and likely to cause severe harm to passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists.
Some of the most common injuries from crashes involving an intoxicated bus driver in Tallahassee include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage resulting in paralysis
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Fractured bones
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional distress from surviving a traumatic experience
Victims may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation to recover from the collision, but they could still have lasting and sometimes permanent effects. Our attorneys at Fasig | Brooks could help injured victims pursue the compensation they need to restore their lives.
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Laws That Apply to Commercial Drivers and Drinking
All bus operators in Florida must hold a commercial driver’s license, which carries stricter alcohol limits than regular drivers. For instance, it is illegal for anyone to drive a car with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent; but, according to Florida Statutes § 322.62, commercial drivers may not have any alcohol at all in their body when operating a bus. In addition, bus drivers caught with a BAC of 0.04, half that of a regular driver, are disqualified from operating a commercial vehicle for a year.
The bus companies, which include local government agencies in Tallahassee, have similar responsibilities to prevent accidents by ensuring that their employees do not get behind the wheel while drunk. This could be achieved by testing drivers before their shift and implementing proper hiring practices to safeguard against drivers with a history of DUI charges.
Whether it was the driver or the company, injured victims may be able to recover compensation for their medical care, lost wages, and mental anguish. An experienced attorney could review the facts to determine who is liable for the crash and file a claim against the appropriate party.
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Build A Drunk Driving Bus Crash Case With a Tallahassee Team Who Cares
Our attorneys at Fasig | Brooks have years of experience handling bus collisions caused by alcohol-impaired driving. We work directly with local law enforcement and accident reconstruction specialists to get a full and complete idea of the incident and present a strong case to the insurance company or to the courtroom.
We believe in building long-term relationships with our clients, so we listen to concerns and provide guidance on overcoming the challenges. Our goal is to help victims come back stronger after an accident.
Drunk driving bus accidents in Tallahassee are preventable if operators exercise due care and companies enforce their policies. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a collision, our team at Fasig | Brooks could help you seek compensation for your injuries.
We are here to give you support during this difficult time, and we could be by your side from start to finish. Call Fasig | Brooks today for a free consultation with one of our lawyers on your case.
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