Miami Bus Accident Lawyer

Buses carry thousands of people across South Florida every day, and when one crashes, the injuries can affect passengers, other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians all at once. Bus cases are different from ordinary car accident claims because of who owns the bus. A bus owned by a county transit agency or a school board falls under special government-claim rules. A private tour, charter or shuttle company may fall under federal safety and insurance rules.

Bus Accident Lawyer Serving Miami and South Florida

Attorney Tomas Robirosa represents people hurt in bus accidents in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. The consultation is free, we work on contingency with no fee unless we recover, and we speak Spanish.

Bus Accidents We Handle

• Public transit buses: Metrobus (run by Miami-Dade County's Department of Transportation and Public Works), Broward County Transit and Palm Tran
• School buses, including Miami-Dade County Public Schools buses and private school or camp buses
• Tour, charter and intercity buses, including cruise and airport transfers
• Hotel, airport, parking and employee shuttles
• Passengers hurt by sudden stops, falls while boarding or exiting, or an unsafe bus
• Drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians hit by a bus

Bus Companies Owe Passengers a High Duty of Care

Florida courts have long held that carriers who transport passengers for hire owe them the highest degree of care reasonably expected for that type of transportation. A carrier is not automatically responsible for every injury, but drivers and companies must operate, maintain and supervise buses with great care. That includes how drivers brake and turn, whether they wait for passengers to sit or get off safely, and whether doors, steps and lifts work properly.

Claims Against Metrobus, School Buses and Other Government Buses

When a county, city or school board owns the bus, Florida's sovereign immunity law (section 768.28 of the Florida Statutes) controls the claim. These claims generally involve special written notice requirements before a lawsuit can be filed, a waiting period, and limits on how much can be recovered.

Recovery from a government entity is generally capped at $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, and amounts above that generally require a separate act of the Florida Legislature (a claim bill). A 2026 bill to raise the caps passed the Legislature but was vetoed, so the caps stayed the same.

This is a tricky, case-specific area of law. The notice rules and deadlines depend on the agency and the facts, and a mistake can delay or damage a claim. Every case is different, so speak with a lawyer as soon as possible about the requirements that apply to you.

Tour, Charter and Shuttle Companies

Private bus companies don't get the government caps. Interstate for-hire passenger carriers must follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules. For example, their drivers generally may drive no more than 10 hours after 8 consecutive hours off duty, and may not drive after 15 hours on duty. Federal rules also require at least $5,000,000 in liability coverage for interstate for-hire vehicles that seat 16 or more passengers, and $1,500,000 for smaller ones. Local shuttle operators may follow different rules and carry different coverage, so we identify the owner, the operator and every policy early.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents

• Driver distraction, fatigue or rushing to stay on schedule
• Sudden braking or accelerating before passengers are seated
• Unsafe turns, lane changes and blind spots
• Pulling away from a stop while someone is boarding or exiting
• Poor maintenance of brakes, tires, doors, steps and wheelchair lifts
• Poor driver hiring, training or supervision
• Other drivers cutting off or striking the bus

Other Florida Rules That Affect a Bus Claim

Shared fault: since March 24, 2023, Florida reduces your recovery by your share of fault, and a person more than 50% at fault generally recovers nothing. Lawsuit deadline: for claims against private companies, Florida generally allows 2 years to file a negligence lawsuit for most injuries after March 24, 2023. Government claims follow different, case-specific rules. Every case is different, so speak with an attorney to confirm the deadline that applies to you. Insurance: whether your own PIP or other coverage applies depends on whether you were a passenger, a driver, a pedestrian or a cyclist, and on the type of bus. We review your policies at the start so nothing is missed.

What to Do After a Bus Accident

1. Get medical care right away and tell the doctors every symptom.
2. Write down the bus number, route number, company or agency name, and the time and place.
3. Get names and phone numbers of other passengers and witnesses.
4. Take photos of the scene, the bus, steps or doors involved, and your injuries.
5. Ask that the incident be reported, and keep any report number.
6. Don't sign forms or give recorded statements to the bus company's insurer before getting advice.
7. Call us quickly. Many buses have cameras, but footage may not be kept for long.

How We Help

We identify who owns and operates the bus, handle the required notices and send preservation requests, gather video, maintenance and driver records, deal with the insurers or the government risk-management office, and pursue the full value of your claim, in English or Spanish. Related pages: car accident lawyer, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents and truck accidents.

Frequently Asked Questions