A busload of Florida residents experienced a traumatic commute on Tuesday when a Miami-Dade transit bus was hit by a FedEx delivery truck. According to reports, there were 18 people from the crowded bus, including the bus driver, who had to be taken to area hospitals for treatment.

The scene of the truck accident was hectic as many passengers were being unloaded on stretchers, and some through the bus windows. One of the passengers injured was a 16-year-old girl who is wheelchair-bound, officials said. Luckily, none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.

It was reported that the violent collision occurred when the driver of the FedEx truck ran a red light and smashed into the bus. It is likely that an investigation will follow to determine the exact cause of the accident.

If it is determined that negligence on behalf of the truck driver caused the accident, the driver's employer could face personal injury lawsuits brought by people who were injured in the crash.

This is because under the legal doctrine respondeat superior, an employer can be held liable for the negligent actions of an employee so long as they are performed within the course of the job.

Victims of motor vehicle accidents in Florida may be entitled to compensation for past and future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disability or disfigurement, and loss of earning potential.

However, many accident victims find that dealing with insurance companies following an accident is an uphill battle. Securing the best settlement possible usually requires having someone on your behalf fighting for your rights and conducting a separate investigation into the accident.

Source: Huffington Post, "Metrobus-FedEx Truck Accident Injures Passengers In Central Miami," Jan. 24, 2012