What to Do If You’re Injured In A Bus Accident

Have you been injured in a bus accident? In 2021, there were some 494,000 police-reported crashes involving large trucks and buses. Only around 1% of these accidents were fatal, but injuries were imminent for others involved.

If you were involved in a bus accident, you want to take the right steps to ensure you are compensated for your injuries, one of which involves contacting an experienced commercial vehicle lawyer as soon as possible. However, before doing so, it’s essential to understand why these steps must be taken and how to effectively follow them. Learn more here. 

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

It’s important to seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t think it’s necessary. Regardless of whether the accident was minor or if you think you are not injured, see a doctor. As a precaution, you should be treated for seemingly small injuries, as such an injury can become serious if not treated properly.

Although buses typically drive slower than cars, buses typically do not have seatbelts. Therefore, if a bus accident takes place, passengers can be seriously injured. Because bus passengers are not secured in their seats, they could be jolted into other people or the walls of the bus and suffer bone fractures and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

Additionally, even if you have health insurance, it might not cover the extent of your physical injuries. The more complex the injuries, the more expensive the treatment will be. However, medical bills can be compensated after filing a personal injury claim with the help of a bus accident lawyer. 

In any case, you should always treat an injury as soon as possible. By doing so, doctors can check for complications and prevent further injury. In addition, your medical records will help prove that your injuries were caused by the bus accident and indicate the cost of medical treatment. 

Gather Evidence From the Bus Accident

Call 911 and wait for help to arrive. While waiting, take pictures of the bus accident scene. This should include images and videos of all vehicles involved, street signs, tire skid marks, and any visible injuries you sustained. 

Doing so will help your bus accident attorney prove damages when you file a personal injury claim. Other valuable information will include the names of the other passengers who were on the bus, the bus’s information, the company it is operated by, and the bus driver’s name. If other cars were involved, get the drivers’ names and their insurance information. 

Also, obtain a copy of the police report after the police arrive. The report is not typically available the same day it’s created. Still, the responding officer will give you the necessary instructions on how to obtain the accident report once it becomes available.

If there are witnesses present, ask them for statements of what they saw and request their contact information, as well. Their statements will likely be in the police report, but it’s good to keep a personal record as a backup.

Contact a Bus Accident Lawyer

It’s important to contact a bus accident lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can protect your rights and help you receive just compensation for damages. One of the most effective ways to find a qualified attorney is by searching online. 

Review sites like Yelp and Avvo are a good place to start, as they rate local attorneys in the area. Former clients create reviews, providing ratings based on their experiences with law firms. However, be wary of fake reviews. Some firms may post positive reviews about themselves. Word-of-mouth referrals from friends or family members are also helpful. If they have also been involved in similar accidents, their references are a powerful resource to find a qualified bus accident lawyer. 

If you’re injured in a bus accident, the amount of your settlement depends on the extent of your injuries. In addition, legal representation will ultimately affect your case’s success. The liable party could include the bus driver, the bus company, or another driver. A skilled bus accident lawyer will know what type of evidence to collect to prove negligence of the responsible party or parties. 

Determine the Worth of Your Case

If you’re injured in a bus accident and want to seek compensation for your injuries, it’s important to know that you have legal rights. You have a right to compensation for your injuries, including the medical bills related to them.

You also have the right to compensation for lost wages if you were unable to work because of the accident. Additionally, if the accident caused physical pain or emotional distress, you may be able to receive compensation for that as well.

If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries (or any other damage), then they are legally liable. They would be responsible for paying for damages related to those injuries (or any other damage). This is otherwise known as liability. Your attorney can estimate how much your bus accident claim is worth.

Keep Your Rights Protected

If you are injured in a bus accident, it’s important to know your rights and how to protect them. Schedule a free consultation with our personal injury lawyer to learn more. DK Law specializes in automobile accidents involving buses and other commercial vehicles. To discuss your case, contact us today.