Serving all of Florida
Florida Bus Accident Lawyer
I spent nearly two decades defending insurance companies in crash cases. Now I use everything I learned to fight for you.
— Emanuel Galimidi, former insurance-defense attorney
Main Office Miami · In person or by video, anywhere in Florida
Injured on or by a bus in Florida? Charter, transit, school, or tour: what can I collect?
It matters, but not the way insurance companies hope. Every bus, whether a charter, tour, shuttle, transit, or school bus, is a common carrier (a business that carries the public). The law holds it to a high duty of care for its passengers.
Many bus injury claims, on private charter, tour, and shuttle buses, are full-value claims with no cap at all. If the bus is public (Miami-Dade Transit, a county bus, or a school board bus), the claim is against a government agency. That means a written notice of claim before you can sue, a review period, and legal limits on what the government pays. So pinning down the right company or agency to sue early is what protects your case.
Against a private bus company, for most negligence claims arising after March 24, 2023, you generally have 2 years to bring an injury claim (§ 95.11(5)(a)). Other deadlines may apply. Claims against a government agency have their own notice and filing deadlines under § 768.28. If you were partly at fault, your payment is cut by your share. If you were more than 50% at fault, you get nothing (§ 768.81).
The facts that matter
- Deadline to file
- Generally 2 years to sue for most negligence claims arising after March 24, 2023 (§ 95.11(5)(a))
- Common-carrier duty
- Every bus owes its passengers a high duty of care
- Private & charter buses
- Not capped — full payment available
- What it costs
- Free case review · no fees or costs unless we recover for you
What they do
How insurance companies try to cut what they pay
Run out the notice clock
Claims against a government agency have special notice rules. Insurance companies and agencies win when those deadlines slip.
Point at another driver
They blame another vehicle or another passenger to shrink the bus company's share of the blame.
The quick, low offer
A fast settlement before your injuries are known and before the right company or agency to sue is sorted out.
Next steps
What to do next
Report & get the details
Note the route, bus number, and operator; report the incident to the driver or agency.
Get medical care
See a doctor promptly and keep every record.
Save tickets and witness names
Keep your fare or transfer and collect contact details for anyone who saw it.
Act fast on government notice
Public bus claims require early written notice. Talk to a lawyer right away.
Florida law
The rules that decide your claim
Common-carrier duty
That duty covers more than crashes. A sudden stop, a door closing on a passenger, a broken lift or ramp, or pulling away before a rider is seated can each count as carelessness the bus company has to answer for.
Private & charter buses
Private, charter, tour, and shuttle bus companies have no government cap. They can be held fully responsible for the harm they cause.
Public buses & sovereign immunity (§ 768.28)
Sovereign immunity means the government gets special protection when it is sued. Under § 768.28, you must give the agency written notice of the claim, generally within 3 years (2 years if someone died). Claims against the state also go to the Department of Financial Services; claims against a city or county don't. The agency then has up to 6 months to respond (90 days in a death case), unless it denies the claim sooner. What the government pays is capped at $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, and more than that generally takes a special law called a claim bill. The route and bus number from day one tell us which agency that is.
2-year deadline (§ 95.11(5)(a))
For most negligence claims arising after March 24, 2023, you generally have 2 years to file an injury lawsuit against a private company. Other deadlines may apply. Claims against a government agency have different notice and filing deadlines under § 768.28. Either way, don't wait.
Track record
Results from a lawyer who knows the other side
The firm has recovered real money for injured Floridians, including confidential settlements and settlements for the most the policy pays.
Each case is different and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.See more results →
Client reviews
What clients say
“He stood firmly by my side with expert guidance and genuine encouragement. We won the case — and his integrity and trustworthiness impressed me most.”
— Domineque Martindale · Google“They brought exceptional legal skill, compassion, and genuine care to our case. We never felt like just another client. This firm didn’t just represent us — they stood beside us. We will always be grateful.”
— Tony Neal · Google“Emanuel helped me through my personal injury process and did everything for me. He was very communicative by email and phone, and always explained how the case was being handled.”
— Carol · Avvo“A highly professional law office. Mr. Galimidi is very honest and puts great effort into his work for you — he always gets back to you by email or phone. A phenomenal attorney with a heart for people.”
— Sarah · GoogleReviews reflect individual clients’ experiences. Prospective clients may not obtain the same or similar results. Reviews are from the firm’s Google and Avvo profiles.
Questions people ask
Bus Accidents FAQ
Private charter vs. public bus — what's the difference?
A private, charter, or tour bus company can be held fully responsible, with no cap. Claims against a Florida government bus operator follow special rules under sovereign immunity: written notice before suit, a review period, and limits on payment. I first check who operated the bus and which rules apply.
Is there a limit on what I can collect?
On a private or charter bus, there is no cap. On a public bus, the law caps what you can collect, unless the Legislature passes a claim bill that allows more.
Is there a special deadline for a public bus?
Yes. Claims against a government agency require written notice early on, before you can sue. So it's important to act quickly.
I was a passenger / pedestrian / other driver — can I get paid?
Yes. Passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists hurt by a bus can all have claims.
How long do I have to file?
Most negligence claims against a private bus company accruing after March 24, 2023 have a two-year filing period. For an ordinary injury claim against a Florida government entity, written notice is generally due within three years and the lawsuit within four years after the claim accrues. Wrongful-death claims generally have two-year notice and filing periods, subject to tolling rules. Notice must go to the appropriate agency and, when required, the Department of Financial Services. Presuit review requirements also apply. Have the deadlines checked promptly.
Can I still get paid if I was partly at fault?
Yes, as long as you were 50% or less at fault (Fla. Stat. § 768.81). Your payment is cut by your share of the blame. The number the insurance company's adjuster gives for your share is just their first move, not a final ruling. A jury decides. The evidence from the first days is what keeps that number down.
Does a pre-existing condition hurt my case?
Not by itself. If the crash made an old injury or condition worse, Florida law says the person who caused the crash owes you for that. What does hurt a case is hiding the old injury. Be honest with your lawyer and your doctors.
Tell me what happened. The case review is free.
You'll talk to me, a senior attorney who spent nearly two decades working for the insurance companies. Not a case manager. No fees or costs unless we recover for you.
Call 786-442-2873