If your daily routine includes riding a bus, perhaps you ride the bus to and from home and even to get you to your place of work. Although it can be inconvenient at times, you’re thankful for this public transportation since perhaps you don’t own a vehicle. And since you’re aware that accidents can happen anytime on the road to anyone, you want to prepare yourself if you’re actually involved in one.
If you’re eager to know what your first steps should be if involved in a bus accident, read the following steps and you’ll be prepared for anything.
Call the police right away and report what happened.
When a crash happens, it’s usually the responsibility of the bus driver and the staff to report the accident. But when they’re unable or refuse to make the call, you can call 911 instead. Do this as soon as possible after the accident. When the police appear at the scene, report whatever you saw both before and during the accident. Never leave out any details and make sure that you’re able to convey everything clearly. This information will help the police with the investigation. Before you leave, make sure that you secure a copy of the police report for your own records and potential lawsuit.
Seek immediate medical attention. Don’t wait for days to do it!
You might be able to stand and walk around after the accident, but this isn’t enough to conclude that you were unharmed in the bus accident. Remember, you don’t have the medical background to self-diagnose; only medical practitioners can provide a credible diagnosis. After the accident, visit your doctor immediately. Point out to him or her any pain or discomfort that you’re feeling, even if you think that these aren’t directly linked to the accident. You should do all of this immediately, as time is crucial when you’re planning to file a lawsuit for a bus accident. If you don’t seek medical help right away, the other party and court might think that your injuries aren’t too severe, making your case weak. The longer you wait to see your doctor, the harder it is to link your injuries to the accident.
Take many pictures to document the accident scene.
For sure, you’ll have a mobile device with you when you’re riding the bus. If an accident happens, make use of these devices by taking many pictures of the accident scene. Take pictures of involved vehicles, vehicle damages, and injuries you and the other parties sustained. You can also include pictures of the road conditions that could have contributed to the accident. All of these pictures will serve as strong pieces of evidence to determine who is the party at fault.
Protect your legal rights by working with an experienced attorney.
Being involved in a bus accident or any accident at all is never easy. There are several things to be considered, and one wrong move can waive your rights. To save you from the stress associated with a bus accident, you should work with a public transit accident injury attorney like this one here. These qualified lawyers have years of experience in handling cases similar to yours, so you can be sure that you’re in good hands. They can take care of everything on your behalf which means that you can have more time to complete necessary treatments for your recovery.
Aside from working hard to heal any injuries you sustain in a bus accident, you may also have to take care of the legalities involved. If the bus accident was caused by a negligent party and you suffered significant damages and loss, you have to take legal actions immediately. The responsible party should compensate you for all that the damage he or she has caused you. Use the contents of this article as pointers to determine what to do legally when you’re involved in an accident so no one can bypass your rights in any way.