It can be a very difficult moment if you or your child has been in a bus accident, whether as a passenger, a different driver, a pedestrian, or a bike. You can feel overburdened, frustrated, and unclear about what to do to safeguard the well-being and best interests of your child. A Florida bus accident lawyer can help you after a bus accident. You can help a Lake Worth bus accident attorney by following the steps below after a bus accident.
1. Call 911
An ambulance can be sent to the location and an accident report can be made by a law enforcement official. Safety ought to come first after a bus collision. To ensure that emergency professionals can reach you as soon as possible, call 911 to report the accident. This is crucial if there have been major injuries or if the accident is obstructing traffic. Even if you don’t require immediate medical attention, calling the police to report the accident will help ensure that a report is made. Although it is possible that the bus driver will report the collision to the police and their superiors, you shouldn’t assume they will.
2. Help others
Stay at the scene and assist others if you can and it is reasonably safe to do so. If you notice smoke or flames or if the bus is in a dangerous position, you might need to get off. Try to keep your cool and aid anyone who asks for help. The best course of action in these circumstances is to maintain your composure and consider your safety as well as the protection of others.
Hit-and-run laws exist in every state and forbid people from leaving the site of a collision without sharing contact information with the other party or parties and, if possible, providing assistance. But there are situations and exceptions where you might need to depart. If you were seriously hurt and were removed from the scene by emergency services, this might apply to you.
3. Collect contact information
Request the bus driver’s name, phone number, CDL number, employer contact information, etc. Obtain the contact details of other passengers, the bus driver, emergency responders, and other people who arrive at the site. Stay at the site to share information with the bus driver and any other persons involved if you were driving and your car collided with a bus. Inquire about the witnesses’ contact information and whether they would be willing to testify later.
4. Document the scene
Take pictures and videos of the scene, your wounds, and any damage. Start accumulating data and proof as soon as you can. While you’re still on the scene, you can perform this action, which could have a big effect on how your case turns out. Take pictures of the accident site, the involved vehicles, and any obvious injuries you may have incurred.
5. See a doctor
After every significant accident, you should seek medical attention. You might have sustained a soft tissue injury, such as whiplash, as a passenger on a bus or as a driver or passenger in another car, as opposed to a more evident injury, like a fractured bone. Even though symptoms might not appear for several hours or days, getting medical treatment right away can prevent more harm. Make sure to adhere to the doctor’s recommended course of action after your visit.
6. Be organized
Show up for every doctor appointment and every treatment. Documents pertaining to the bus accident should be maintained orderly and secure, including receipts, bills, notes, and other papers. Make sure to gather any documents that could be useful in assisting you and your attorney in calculating the cost of the collision. This covers everything from doctor visits to physical therapy appointments to car repairs and other accident-related expenses. Paper copies of crucial documents should be scanned or photographed using a smartphone if you are worried about losing them.
7. Employ a Personal Injury Lawyer
Claims involving bus accidents are rarely simple. None are easy. Both the bus-operating business and the insurance provider who will be paying out your claim are likely to oppose you. Additionally, you can pass up receiving compensation from accountable parties that you failed to name, such as the bus manufacturer. The appropriate person to defend your interests so that you can begin to mend and move on is an attorney.
If you have a successful trial attorney on your side, you’ll have a supporter who can:
- Manage all correspondence with the bus company, the police, the insurance company, and other parties.
- Determine what led to the accident and who should be held legally accountable by conducting an investigation.
- Establish the full and fair value of your claim in light of past, present, and projected medical costs, lost wages, emotional distress, property damage, and other factors.
- To obtain the reimbursement you are due, engage in fair settlement negotiations or file a lawsuit in civil court.
Schedule an Appointment with Adolphe Law Group or contact at 561-660-7776