Hurt in a Bus Accident? 5 Steps to Take ASAP
When a bus collides with another vehicle—or a stationary object—serious injuries are likely. Bus passengers are rarely restrained, so they tend to get hurt in forceful impacts. What’s more, buses are so much larger than passenger vehicles that when they strike one another in traffic, extensive damage is all but inevitable.
If you were recently hurt in a bus accident and you’re planning on taking legal action, the steps you take—or fail to take—in the aftermath are going to have a major impact on the outcome of your claim. With that in mind, here’s what you should do as soon as possible following the accident:
1. Visit a Doctor
No matter how much there is to do following the wreck, your priority should be your health. Seek medical care as soon as possible, and follow all your doctor’s instructions once you do.
This should be the first step you take regardless of how you feel. Remember: Not all impact injuries manifest symptoms right away. What’s more, adrenaline can mask the severity of your condition in the immediate aftermath.
Visiting a doctor promptly will ensure your injuries receive the attention they demand. As an added benefit, it will start a paper trail linking the accident in question to your condition.
2. Start a Daily Journal
Detailed journal entries will come in handy when it’s time to demonstrate the extent of your non-economic damages. Write about the ways in which your injuries are hurting your quality of life, so you have a log you can present to the opposing party when they ask for one.
3. Change Your Privacy Settings on Social Media
It’s wise to lay low on social media until your claim has been resolved so the insurance adjuster doesn’t have any cause to challenge your credibility. If you cannot disable your accounts, at least activate the strictest privacy settings. This will make it much harder for the opposing party to monitor your content.
4. Preserve Evidence from the Scene
If you managed to photograph the scene before leaving the area, store the images in a safe place. It’s also wise to make copies and store those elsewhere to ensure redundancy. Other evidence from the scene that’s worth saving includes dash camera footage, statements from eyewitnesses, and official reports.
5. Call a Personal Injury Lawyer
While you’re not required to hire an attorney, it’s wise to seek counsel if you choose to proceed with a claim. A resourceful lawyer will be able to handle virtually every aspect of your case, so you can focus on your recovery.
Your legal team will investigate the crash, compile evidence of liability, track damages, and negotiate for a fair payout. They will also correspond with the opposing party every step of the way, so you don’t have to.
Discuss Your Case with a Bus Accident Attorney in Florida
For help putting together your bus accident claim, turn to Emerson Straw. Our knowledgeable team is equipped to investigate all kinds of motor-vehicle collisions, including those involving buses. To set up your free case review with a bus accident lawyer in Florida, fill out our Contact Form or call (727) 821-1500.