Denise Rozwarski, 58, Injured In St. Petersburg PSTA Bus Accident Along Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Street
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA (February 6, 2023) – A woman identified as Denise Rozwarski was injured in a St Petersburg bus accident on Dr Martin Luther King Jr Street.
Pinellas County officials are saying that the collision took place around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. A PSTA bus was traveling west on 1st Avenue North when it made a left turn and struck Denise Rozwarski.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. She was extricated from underneath the bus and taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
The bus driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police. A full investigation into the crash that injured Denise Rozwarski remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For St Petersburg Bus Accidents
Buses can be particularly dangerous for pedestrians due to their size and large blind spots. These blind spots are especially pronounced on the sides and the front of the bus. Moreover, buses tend to make frequent stops. It is easy for a pedestrian to be caught completely off-guard. There are a number of steps that bus companies can take to prevent pedestrian collisions.
- Bus companies should ensure that their drivers are well trained and have a clean driving record.
- Bus companies can outfit their buses with cameras, sensors and other technological features to increase the visibility of pedestrians.
- Bus companies should regularly inspect and maintain all of their vehicles.
Bus drivers in Florida will typically need to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Pursuant to Florida Vehicle Code 316.130, “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or any person propelling a human-powered vehicle and give warning when necessary and exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or any obviously confused or incapacitated person.” If a bus driver fails to slow down to avoid hitting a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
When a bus driver is negligent and hits a pedestrian, the company that they worked for could be vicariously liable for the crash. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the tortious acts of their employees, when those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. Florida is a comparative negligence state. Even if a pedestrian was partially at fault for a collision, this will not prevent them from recovering damages. Victims of bus accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) often occur during pedestrian collisions.
- Pedestrians are uniquely vulnerable to sustaining bone fractures.
- Less visible injuries will typically include soft tissue injuries and organ damage.
The FMCSA requires buses that can carry 16 or more passengers to have at least $5,000,000 worth of liability coverage. Any person that is injured in a bus accident may be able to seek damages through a civil claim. The value of any claim will typically be determined by a number of factors including the cost of medical bills, the presence of lost wages and the physical and emotional distress from an accident. It is extremely important that all evidence is properly preserved after any collision.
Investigating A St Petersburg Bus Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to Denise Rozwarski as she continues to recover. It is our sincere hope that she is able to fully recover. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be some accountability for what happened.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a St Petersburg bus accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
