Of all the potential accident scenarios on the roadways, a collision with a bus is one of the scariest. Due to their immense sizes and weights, buses, when they are in accidents, often cause SERIOUS injuries to everyone involved.
Although it is easy to imagine a bus crash won’t ever happen to you, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that bus and truck accidents have increased by 29 percent between 2009 and 2016. This is an ALARMING statistic that points to the need for a comprehensive understanding of what to do if you’re involved in such an accident.
If you were hurt in a bus collision, you need to speak to an experienced bus accident law firm as soon as you can. Our intake department is available for your free case evaluation, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so please contact us online or call us at 800-898-4877.
Here are a few important steps to take after a bus collision.
Contact the Local Police
After an accident with a bus that results in property damage or physical injuries, call the local police department.
Here is what you can expect after contacting the police:
- They will arrive and review the scene of the accident.
- If needed, they can request an ambulance to take any injured parties to the hospital.
- The police will collect information from all parties involved in the bus collision.
- They can talk to any witnesses to the accident.
- After assessing the damages, police will write up and file an official accident report. This document may help determine what happened and support your claim.
Speak With People Who Witnessed the Accident
Once it is safe to walk around the accident scene, and if you are not too badly injured, speak with people who saw what happened. When you collect information from various eyewitnesses, make sure to record their contact information. Your attorney might need to get ahold of them in the future. Eyewitness statements can prove extremely valuable for an accident victims case.
Go to the Hospital or See a Medical Professional WITHOUT delay!
After you’re in an accident, emotions can heighten and adrenaline often kicks in quickly, making an immediate, accurate self-assessment of your injuries difficult. Although some people would consider delaying medical evaluation, this is NEVER a good idea. Seek medical attention as soon as possible after a bus collision.
Even if you don’t think your injuries are all that serious, MANY symptoms will not emerge for hours, days, or even weeks after an accident. Muscle strains, traumatic brain injuries, and whiplash often take time to develop. If you wait even a few days to visit the doctor, insurance companies will often claim that you were not seriously hurt. This can dramatically reduce the amount of compensation you are entitled to.
DO NOT give the at-fault party or insurance company any leverage. See a doctor right away and follow the medical advice you get.
ALWAYS Follow Your Doctor’s Advice
Make sure to follow the medical treatment plan that your doctor advises. If you are unsure that the treatments are working, discuss your concerns with your doctor or seek out a second opinion. It is a MISTAKE to stop treatments or ignore medical advice. This can hurt your claim, as the insurance companies will often use this as proof that your injuries are not as serious as you claim. Medical treatments are expensive, and injuries take time to heal—but don’t jeopardize your potential to receive compensation to cover your long-term bus accident-related expenses.
Hire a Lawyer You Trust to Help With Your Claim
After an accident, make your health your primary concern. Do everything you can to ensure a quick recovery. While you deal with a serious injury, an experienced attorney can help put a claim in motion to recover compensation for your damages. Work with a lawyer you trust, with whom you can speak with ease about the details of your accident.
What NOT to do After a Bus Collision Accident
There are many actions to AVOID after a bus collision. These include:
NEVER Admit Fault
People commonly act politely to strangers, even after a bus accident, but an insurance company’s adjusters or lawyers will always turn the words “I’m sorry” against you. The defendant’s lawyer might point out that you apologized and use this as a sign of that you knew you were at fault. Even at the risk of seeming rude, it is always better to say nothing at all.
DO NOT Give a Statement to the Insurance Company
After an accident, insurance companies commonly reach out to victims and request their accident statements. They will want to know, in your own words, what happened. NEVER give a statement without first talking to a lawyer. The insurance company will often use these statements against you, to deny or reduce the compensation you deserve. Your best interests demand that you refrain from saying anything until you speak to a lawyer.
Were You Injured After a Bus Collision? Speak With a Personal Injury Law Firm
It’s an understatement to say that a bus accident can prove INCREDIBLY devastating. Even if you don’t think you sustained serious physical injuries, the emotional damage can pose incredibly difficult challenges. Those who have experienced a bus collision often develop a deep fear of driving or even walking in areas with heavy traffic.
If you were hurt in a bus collision, seek a skilled team of attorneys and legal professional. At Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, our legal team is dedicated to helping those who survived a traumatic accident with a bus, and the families of those who suffered wrongful deaths in bus collisions. Make your physical and emotional recovery your primary focus during this time. Let us do the rest of the heavy lifting!
The team of lawyers and legal professionals at Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, can HELP. Because we take all of our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, you will not owe us a DIME unless we win your case. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so call us today at 800-898-4877 or contact us now by CLICKING HERE. Don’t delay—find out how we can help TODAY!
