Although transportation by bus is considered one of the safest modes of transportation, bus accidents do happen on occasion. The consequences are often disastrous, resulting in multiple fatalities or serious injuries.
Dangers of Riding Buses
Because people believe that buses are safe, many choose not to wear the seat belts equipped on these vehicles. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does not require buses that weigh more than 10,000 pounds to have seat belts. However, some states enforce the use of seat belts in large trucks and buses. Not wearing a seat belt can result in more injuries occurring and these injuries being more serious.
Buses are large and heavy vehicles. When they collide with other vehicles, the occupants in these smaller vehicles are more likely to be seriously injured or killed in the accident.
Statistics on Bus Accidents
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that approximately 170,000 people were injured in the United States in large truck and bus crashes in 2017. In all, 5,005 people died in these accidents. Serious bus accidents that have occurred lately have included a New Jersey transit bus in Newark and a fatal bus accident in Utah.
Steps to Take After a Bus Accident
If you are involved in a bus accident, there are certain steps that you should take to protect yourself and your legal rights. These steps include the following:
Call Emergency Services
The first step to take after a bus accident is to call emergency services. You will want the incident reported to the authorities to show that it happened. Additionally, if you or anyone else on the bus requires immediate medical attention, this step can help dispatch emergency medical responders to your location. The driver should call emergency services, but in some cases, he or she may not. This may be due to incapacity or because the bus driver is impaired or otherwise does not want to be blamed for the accident.
A law enforcement officer will respond to the scene of the accident and complete a preliminary investigation. His or her findings and recitation of facts will be incorporated into an accident report. Be sure to collect a copy of this report once it is finished. You will need it to file an insurance claim or lawsuit.
If you are physically able, leave the immediate vicinity of the bus since it may be in danger of catching fire or involved in a subsequent accident. Stay near the scene of the accident to complete the other steps.
Gather Evidence
If you are able to and the accident scene is safe, try to gather evidence. Take pictures of the accident scene from various angles. Photograph nearby signs, road conditions and your injuries. Take pictures of any debris on the roadway, skid marks and other evidence at the accident scene. Get the contact information for the bus driver, other drivers and other witnesses. Ask to see a copy of the bus insurance information and record this information.
Seek Medical Attention
Tell the responding officer about any visible injuries you have, as well as any pain. Do not refuse medical aid. This can be a major mistake that can adversely affect your case. Even if you cannot see your injuries, you may still have been injured. Additionally, the adrenaline that pumps through your body after an accident can often distract you from the sensation of pain or mask it. Additionally, some injuries may take hours or days before they appear and can be diagnosed. It is best to seek medical treatment so that a doctor can detect any internal and external injury that you have suffered due to the bus accident.
Keep Records of Your Damages
It often takes several months before an insurance settlement occurs. If the case goes to trial, the waiting period is even longer. This is why it is important to keep track of all of the records related to the accident and your damages.
Maintain copies of medical records, such as:
- Doctor’s notes
- Surgery notes
- Post-operative instructions
- X-rays and other imaging results
- Copies of prescription receipts
- Medical bills
- Physical therapist bills
- Counseling notes
- Receipts for gas going to and from medical appointments
Also, keep copies of records that show the days you missed because of your injury and the amount of lost wages you suffered. Ask for an estimate to repair or replace your vehicle or other personal property damaged in the accident.
Your personal injury attorney may recommend that you maintain a pain journal in which you record how you are feeling on a daily basis. This record can be important to establish the non-economic aspect of your claim.
Retain the Services of a Qualified Lawyer
After a serious bus accident, the insurance company that covers the bus may have many claims filed against it at once. It may try to minimize the amount it pays on each claim. However, you deserve compensation for the full extent of damages that you have sustained. Contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your claim and for assistance in pursuing compensation for the damages that you have sustained. Personal injury lawyers generally do not charge for their services until they have secured a settlement or received an award. You can discuss your claim during a free consultation.
