One of the most important things to understand as a passenger of a bus is that by stepping onto the vehicle, you are entering into an agreement with the driver that goes above and beyond just getting from “Point A” to “Point B.” You are entrusting not just your safety, but the safety of everyone with you, to a single individual: the driver. Because many public transportation busses and similar vehicles do not have seatbelts, the immediate aftermath of an accident can be significantly more harmful than if you had been behind the wheel of your own car.
If you are involved in an accident with a bus, either as a passenger or as the driver of another vehicle, it’s always important for you to know exactly what to do next for the best possible results.
Seek Medical Assistance Immediately
Above all else, you must seek treatment for any injuries as quickly as possible after a bus accident. Keep in mind that even if you feel okay walking away from the scene, serious injuries can manifest hours or even days later which is why it is so important to be checked out by a licensed medical professional IMMEDIATELY after the incident occurs. If you are unable to call 911 yourself for whatever reason, it is typically the responsibility of the bus driver to call and get people the help they need.
Filing a Claim
Whether you’re filing a claim to pay for damages to your vehicle (if you were struck by a bus) or to pay for your injuries (if you were a passenger during a collision), the process of filing a claim in an accident involving a bus is a complicated one because of the many different parties involved. Most public transportation vehicles are owned and operated by the local municipality, which can be significantly more complicated than if you were dealing with a private party.
Contacting a licensed personal injury attorney is always recommended as they will not only help streamline the process and make filing the claim as easy as possible, but they will also interview witnesses, conduct research with the help of experts and assist in determining exactly who is liable for your damages.
At Harshbarger Law, nothing is more important to us than the health and well-being of our clients. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, please contact Harshbarger Law today so we may assist you in dealing with this unfortunate incident.