What should I do if I am involved in a bus accident?
As in any vehicle crash, the most important step after a bus accident is to seek medical attention. Even severe injuries often seem minor, or do not manifest themselves for hours, or days, after the accident. Only a trained medical professional can properly, and promptly, assess physical injuries, making sure that serious injuries do not become dire ones.
The police should also be contacted immediately. Not only will this provide an official record of the accident, but the police will be able to conduct an immediate investigation of the scene. They will take statements from witnesses, analyze and document traffic and road conditions, assess the traveling speed of the vehicles, and depending on the circumstances of the accident, test the bus or other drivers involved for alcohol or drug use. All of this may be invaluable evidence in a subsequent legal case.
While waiting for the police to arrive, it’s a good idea – assuming that you’re physically able to and no other injured passengers or drivers need your assistance – to obtain the following information:
- the names, addresses, and driver’s license numbers of all other drivers involved in the accident;
- the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses;
- the bus driver’s name and the name of the bus company or agency;
- insurance information (insurer names, policy numbers, vehicle registration numbers) for any other vehicles involved in the incident.
If possible, also try to note the weather and traffic conditions, and whether there might have been anything wrong with the bus involved in the incident (for example, mechanical trouble mentioned by the driver after the accident). If you have a camera (even if it’s just a low-resolution cell phone camera), snap photos of the scene. These, too, may come in handy later.
When should I notify my insurance company about the accident?
Your insurance company should be alerted promptly, once you’ve sought medical attention for yourself and notified the police. Insurance policies typically require this, and ignoring – or delaying too long on – their reporting rules may cost you coverage. But keep in mind that it is always in the insurance company’s best interest to resolve accident claims quickly and cheaply. They may offer you a settlement that is far less than warranted – or they may say you are not covered and deny your claim outright. That’s why it is essential to speak with an experienced bus accident attorney before signing any insurance documents or discussing the accident in detail with anyone from the insurance company. But do not delay in consulting counsel, as insurance companies can often deny coverage when information is not shared with them in a timely manner.
What if the bus driver’s insurance company wants to speak with me?
Just like any other entity operating motor vehicles, private bus companies have insurers that will step in to handle any claims involving their clients. Under no circumstances should you ever speak to the other side’s insurance company without first consulting an attorney. Remember, it is always in an insurer’s best interest to resolve cases quickly and cheaply, and insurance companies have a lot more experience with these cases than the average driver or passenger. Their representatives and adjusters will know exactly what to ask you in order to stack the deck in their favor – and against you. Be polite but firm: You are unable to discuss the matter at this time. Then consult with your own counsel.
What if it was a public bus involved, and now someone from the city wants to talk to me about the ac
In such a case – typical when a public bus is involved – a representative from the city should be treated just like a representative from a private insurer: Under no circumstances should you ever speak to them without first consulting an attorney. Public bus accidents happen all the time, and the individuals who handle these incidents for the city are as skilled and experienced as any insurer when it comes to settling cases for far less than injured victims deserve. Don’t be lulled into thinking that the city won’t aggressively fight your claim. They will. And many injured drivers and passengers have learned that the hard way.
What damages may I recover in a bus accident case?
Injured drivers and passengers may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage resulting from the incident, and pain and suffering. Victims who are permanently disabled may be able to recover for lost future earnings as well as their long-term medical care.
What makes a bus accident a more complex case than a typical car crash?
Bus accidents are frequently catastrophic, both to people and property. Victims may be disabled for long periods of time – or permanently – making their medical expenses particularly severe, and their lost future income a significant worry. Moreover, because bus drivers are typically operating in an employment-related capacity when the accident occurs, liability falls to the employer. Whether a municipality or private bus company, the defendant typically has the resources and means to make recovery difficult – even when it is most deserved.
Why is it important to work with a lawyer experienced in bus accident cases?
Bus accident cases typically pit injured drivers and passengers against municipalities or large private companies and their top-line insurers. These are parties that have ample resources to wage a full-scale legal defense. Fortunately, lawyers who are experienced in bus accident cases can counter deep pockets with deep knowledge. They know the tactics, ploys, and delays defendants can muster – and how to overcome them. At Mary Alexander & Associates, our lawyers have been taking on large, well-financed opponents for over a quarter of a century. And time and again, we’ve beaten them at their own game, using our expertise and drive to get our clients the compensation, and the answers, they are entitled to.
How do I pay for your services?
It’s simple: Unless we recover a financial award or settlement, you don’t pay us anything. That’s because we handle bus accident cases on a contingent-fee basis. In short, the risk is all ours: You pay us only if we’re successful. Expenses work the same way. We pay all the costs of the litigation and are reimbursed only if we obtain a settlement or jury award. Think of it this way: It may be your lawsuit, but it’s always our risk. That’s why you can be assured that if we take your case, it’s because we fully intend to win it.
