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St. Lucie County School Bus Accident Causing Insurance Debacle

After the fatal bus accident in St. Lucie County back at the end of March, officials with the St. Lucie County School District are stepping in and trying to offer insurance advice to parents of the victims.

According to the TC Palm, a letter was sent home to parents offering them advice regarding the policies and the coverage that’s available to help to cover the injuries and the medical expenses for the victims. County officials call this accident “probably the worst accident in the history of the School District.” In the late-March accident, a fourth grader was killed and 15 additional students were injured when the bus slammed into a semi at the intersection of Midway and Okeechobee roads.

“We just want to let them know how they should approach their claims and offer them assistance,” said Susan Carver, risk management coordinator with the district.

Our St. Lucie County personal injury attorneys urge parents to contact an experienced attorney if their child has been involved in a school bus-related accident. It’s important to make sure you’ve got legal representation to help you secure the compensation that you and your child deserve. Parents should avoid talking to school officials and with insurance companies before talking to an attorney. Information you provide to these individuals may cause you to forfeit what you rightfully deserve following such an accident.

In the state, the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault law requires each driver to have at least $10,000 of PIP, which holds the driver’s insurance company responsible for medical costs regardless of who is at fault in the accident. This type of coverage also covers children who are injured while riding on a school bus.

According to the Carver, parents are urged to submit their child’s medical bills that exceed the PIP coverage to their health insurance provider. She adds that for kids without health insurance and those who have bills that fall over their insurance caps the district carries an accident policy that has a limit of $1 million per claim for medical expenses. Within this policy, there is a $25,000 deductible.

Parents are usually the ones who are responsible for paying co-insurance and deductibles. If they want though, they’re able to file a claim with district’s liability coverage asking for reimbursement.

If parents have to come out of pocket with any of the expenses, they’re also welcome to file a claim with the district. The district has claims adjusters who administer that liability coverage. This isn’t an automatic reimbursement. Again, you need to contact an experienced attorney to make sure you’re not getting shortchanged because according to Carver, the district’s liability insurance will more than likely run out!

Freeman & Mallard is a personal injury and wrongful death law firm that is dedicated to helping those and the families of those who have been injured in an accident in Fort Lauderdale, Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach and the elsewhere in the area. Call us today to set up a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. 1-800-561-7777.

More Blog Entries:

Minimum Driver Requirements Needed to Reduce Injuries in School Bus-Related Accidents in Fort Pierce, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, August 26, 2011

Pair of Palm Beach school bus accidents a reminder of dangers faced by motorists and passengers, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, October 29, 2010

Additional Resources:

St. Lucie Schools reach out to assist parents of children involved in March 26 bus crash, by Kelly Tyko, TC Palm

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