When driving your own vehicle, you have a certain degree of control and can practice defensive driving to avoid accidents. But when you’re traveling in a bus, you forgo that level of control and entrust the bus driver to drop you off at your destination safely. When things go awry, you need to take steps to protect your legal rights to compensation. Our best Los Angeles bus accident lawyer, Michael Ehline, has prepared the most important tips to protect yourself and your financial interests as a bus crash victim.
Here are the five general steps you should take as a newly minted bus accident victim:
- Stay at the Accident Scene
- Gather Evidence
- Seek Medical Attention
- Maintain Detailed Records
- Retain the best bus accident attorneys in your locale.
Many of us feel much safer traveling in a bus than our own vehicles, which is why the idea of a bus accident does not spring to mind. However, bus accidents are more common than you think. On December 13, 2022, one passenger died, and 11 passengers suffered injuries after a bus rollover on Interstate 15 south of Baker, California.
Buses carry numerous passengers, and a serious accident can have devastating consequences for multiple bus passengers. Ehline Law and our bus accident attorneys work closely with our injured clients to understand their needs and protect their rights. Contact us to learn more about your rights as an injured victim and discuss your legal options.
Who Is Liable for Your Bus Accident Injuries?
Before you can file a personal injury claim, it is crucial to identify the liable party.
There could be one or multiple parties responsible for your bus accident, some of which include the following:
- Bus driver: Most bus accidents occur due to the negligence of a bus driver. Distracted driving, talking while driving, or eating food while behind the wheel are all examples of negligent bus drivers.
- Bus company: Bus companies are responsible for conducting background checks and hiring qualified and trained bus drivers to transport passengers safely. Failing to do so can result in liability for which accident victims can pursue bus accident claims. Bus companies must also ensure routine fleet maintenance and inspection to help identify potential hazards and take corrective action.
- Another driver: Not all bus accidents occur due to the bus driver’s negligence. Sometimes, it could be another driver driving recklessly on the road resulting in a bus accident. If your bus accident occurred due to another driver, you must pursue a personal injury claim against the negligent driver’s insurance company.
- Bus manufacturer: Bus manufacturers have the duty to ensure the buses they manufacture are safe to use before selling them to bus companies. Lack of inspections, bypassing quality control, or oversight are all examples of bus manufacturer negligence for which accident victims can bring a civil action.
It’s not always clear who is responsible for your bus accident, which is why accident victims need to work with experienced personal injury attorneys. A reputable law firm has the resources to investigate a bus accident case and determine the liable party to pursue a bus accident claim.
5 Steps to Take after Suffering Injuries in a Bus Accident
If you’re a bus passenger and get involved in a bus accident, taking the right steps to protect your bus accident case is essential. Here’s what to do if you are in a bus accident.
- Stay at the Accident Scene
After experiencing a bus accident, you must call 911 for help. The bus crash could cause severe traffic disruption, or other passengers may be severely injured and require emergency medical attention. Don’t rely on the bus driver to report the accident to the relevant authorities.
If you require medical help and are in pain, remain calm and stay where you are. However, if your injuries are not so severe and you can move around, it is best to exit the bus and help others get to safety.
In cases where you were driving a vehicle and got hit by a bus, you must stay at the accident scene and exchange information with the bus driver.
Wait for authorities to arrive as they will be making a police report, which can be helpful when filing a claim.
- Gather Evidence
The sooner you start to gather evidence, the better. Use your smartphone to snap pictures and take videos of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and any visible injuries you suffered from the impact.
It is crucial that you get the bus driver, emergency personnel, witnesses, and other passengers’ contact information.
- Seek Medical Attention
Regardless of whether you’ve suffered injuries, it is vital to head to a hospital for a thorough medical evaluation and immediate medical attention.
Sometimes, internal injuries, whiplash, or soft tissue injuries are not so apparent, like broken bones, and only imaging scans can help determine these types of injuries.
In some cases, injuries may take some time to manifest, and early medical intervention can help prevent further injuries or medical complications.
- Maintain Detailed Records
Maintaining a proper record of all the receipts and expenses is crucial as it will help you and your attorney determine the economic damages following your accident.
Keep a physical file and store all your receipts, including medical bills, home modification expenses, property damage bills, and other receipts.
- Reach out to an Experienced Bus Accident Attorney
Before you talk to the insurance company, contact a skilled bus accident attorney. Bus accident claims are challenging, and accident victims may face serious opposition from the bus company and the insurer. Worse, you may miss out on money damages from liable parties you couldn’t identify following your accident.
An experienced bus accident attorney understands the legal process and can look out for your best interests while you take the time to recover from your injuries. First thing first, your first priority after the emergency room is getting the right lawyer to take care of your legal and financial well-being. Don’t expect a public entity or bus staff to roll over. Public transportation companies are notorious for saying there are other responsible parties besides them, and more victims may be chasing the same pot of money.
Injured people need to lawyer up and preserve evidence in a car accident. Did the bus have seat-belts? Was it a tour bus leased by the school district? Did emergency services get you the proper medical treatment? Is your medical exam properly documented in your medical records? We want to know so we can prevent further injury!
Schedule a Free Consultation with Ehline Law To Learn More About Bus Accident Safety
Ready to form an attorney-client relationship with our experts? Whether it is a school bus or a public or private transportation bus, our personal injury attorneys have more than 15 years of experience handling bus accident claims. Don’t risk your emotional health further dealing with all these complexities. We know all the angles to make sure you receive the most compensation after a bus crash with a motorist, pedestrian, or fixed object.
Get started today, and we will study several different angles to win a bus collision case and begin negotiations on your behalf with priority as soon as we are hired! The sooner we start gathering information, the sooner you will have the right legal assistance. If you suffered severe injuries after getting involved in a bus accident, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation, as you may be eligible for compensation over your life.
