Twenty-five passengers were injured Tuesday when an empty fuel tanker ran into the back of Broward transit bus, in the northbound lanes of State Road 7, just north of Margate Boulevard.
As reported by the Sun Sentinel, 22 of those who were hurt were transported to area hospitals, including one person who appeared to have suffered serious injuries who was taken to North Broward Medical Center.
The three others were treated at the scene. Neither driver was injured.
Booker said it appears that the tanker rear-ended the transitbus, but what led to the crash wasn't immediately known. The video shows the damage to the vehicles.
Buses have no seatbelts and that may have contributed to the number of injuries, Booker said.
The issue of fault in this case appears simple. Under Florida Law there is a presumption of negligence on the trailing vehicle in a rear end collision. That presumption can be rebutted by showing that the lead vehicle made a sudden and unexpected stop.
As a general rule in most cases involving rear end collisions, the defendant(Insurance company) will usually admit to liability and the case will proceed on the issue of damages.
As a Miami Personal Injury Lawyer, cases involving bus passengers are very favorable. The reason being is that buses are exempt from the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, and the requirements that a plaintiff prove a permanent injury in order to recover pain and suffering damages.
