Buses are rarely involved in accidents compared to other vehicles since most are driven cautiously. However, buses can easily cause accidents due to neglected safety standards since seat belts and airbag safety measures are rarely enforced. Besides, most people mistake their sizes as a sign of steadiness, but that is not the case.
Accidents occur involving the buses, and many do not know how to report such incidents. There is limited information on dealing with bus accidents, including filing lawsuits. Here is a guideline to follow whenever you are in an accident caused by a bus.
Filing a bus accident lawsuit
Filing a lawsuit about a bus accident requires proof that the bus driver was negligent and their action triggered the accident. You need to extensively use the negligence system and focus on common causes of bus accidents such as speeding, distracted driving, fatigue driving, and traffic violations to prove your case.
You need the best lawyer for a bus accident to argue your case. You can contact the best law firms in the state to help you understand the negligence system and file your case. You
Measures after a bus accident
The measures you take after the bus accident will be crucial for filing the lawsuit. These measures are also essential to protect your legal rights, argue your case and provide the needed evidence for the case or settlement.
Call emergency services
Calling 911 is the first response measure you should take. Calling the number will help you record the incident from the first-person point of view to ensure the police can have needed evidence to help you prove your case in the future. However, if you are unconscious due to the injuries, the first response when you wake up, whether in the hospital, is to contact or file your case with the police.
Collect the evidence
As you wait for the police to arrive at the scene, you must collect enough evidence to prove your innocence and argue the other driver’s fault. You can take as many pictures as possible. Check your rearview camera to see if it recorded any incident.
You can also talk to those already at the scene who witnessed the incident and collect their contact details. Survey the surrounding area for other damages. You can also survey for any cameras around that may have recorded the incidence.
Seek medical attention
You can only collect the proof if you do not have severe injuries. If you are badly hurt, the first response is to seek medical attention. If you have minor injuries, you can seek medical attention once you have the necessary evidence. Ensure you track all the medical expenses for compensation. You must also conduct further tests to determine other future medical complications or injuries. All these reports are crucial for arguing your case and settlement negotiations.
You also need to track other expenses for compensation. Track any travel and miscellaneous expenditures associated with the accident. If you have a business, you need to track the losses related to your absence, business closure, and other activities.
Talk to an attorney
If you were badly injured and probably passed out, the first process when you recover is to talk to a bus accident attorney. The attorney will be responsible for collecting the subsequent evidence, talking to the witnesses, and tracking your medical and other expenses. The attorney will also order your car camera recordings for evidence. Report all the personal injury to the attorney and ensure you provide the reports to back your arguments.
Filing the case
The attorney will file the lawsuit on your behalf. You need an attorney to ensure the lawsuit is filed in time. There are different timelines for filing different lawsuits; some states give you up to two years to file the lawsuit. The attorney is crucial in deciding whether the case will go to trial or end at settlements. The attorney will also lead the settlement negotiation process to ensure you gain rightfully and recover the necessary damages. The attorney can also speed up the processes to ensure you get the compensation in time and do not have to wait longer.
Potential recoverable damages from a bus accident
The damages you can recover from the accident will depend on various factors, such as the availability of evidence to prove the damages, the person at fault, and the nature of the damages. Some common damages you can recover from the accident include:
- Medical expenses incurred, present and future expenses.
- Property damages. This will cover the damage to your car and the goods you were carrying.
- Loss of income. The damages such as permanent disability due to the accident. It can also cover business losses due to closure or other prospective incomes related to your job.
- Other damages include pain and suffering, damage to family, travel expenses, etc. The pain and suffering have physical, emotional, and trauma pain due to the accident. In case of loss of life, the compensation package will cover all the funeral expenses.
Conclusion
In case of a bus accident, hiring an attorney is crucial to recover all the relevant damages. The attorney will maximize your gains compared to what you would get when you represent yourself. You also need to consider an experienced attorney in bus accident la