If you’ve ever been in a bus accident you know how scary they can be. These events can cause multiple injuries and property damage, and sometimes even lead to deaths. While you might feel scared and overwhelmed after a major accident, there are some things you can do. If you or someone you know is in a bus accident, it’s important to take the steps needed to protect your rights, get to safety, and access any compensation you might be due.
1. Get to Safety and Seek Medical Attention
Safety is the most important thing after a bus accident. Get to a safe spot right away, and help others get safe if you are able. This will help you avoid any additional harm. Check yourself and others for injuries. Even though you may not feel it now with the adrenaline rushing through your body, you may have some soft tissue damage or worse from the accident. Many people don’t even realize that they have broken bones until the rush of adrenaline wears off. Call 911 if there is a lot of damage to vehicles or property or if there are injuries.
2. Gather Information and Document the Accident
If there are injuries, you’ll need as much documentation as possible. Make sure you get the names and insurance details from all parties involved. You can even take notes, take pictures with your smartphone, and save all your information for later if needed. The more details you have at the accident site, the better able you can get the compensation you deserve later on. Save paperwork related to emergency room visits, physical therapy, and more. You’ll need them if you need to make a claim with a bus accident attorney.
It’s also important to get your own copy of the police report for your records. You’ll need it to contact insurance companies and even for the hospital. This report is an invaluable piece of information that can even help when you interview a bus accident attorney.
3. Contact Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurance company right away. They will need to be involved especially if other insurance companies refuse to pay. Make sure you give them all the details, photos, and documentation so that they can get you the help you need as well. Make sure you listen to what they ask you to do next. If you weren’t at fault, you may need to contact the other party’s insurance company as well.
4. Hire a Bus Accident Attorney
It’s important to get legal representation after a bus accident. These can be more complicated than other times of vehicle accidents and a bus accident attorney will have the expertise to help you out. They can investigate what went wrong and sue the at-fault party’s insurance company on your behalf if they are refusing payment. They gather a team to reconstruct the accident to help them build the best case and ensure a winning settlement that covers all your medical needs and your damaged property.
Conclusion
The psychological toll alone can be devastating after a bus accident. Make sure you get to safety, contact the authorities, seek medical care, and save as many details as possible from the accident. Doing these things will help you heal and get you the compensation you need to fully recover.
