In the United States, there are billions of public transportation trips made every year, with many being on a bus. Whether you’re heading to work, running errands, or traveling out of state, we all should feel safe when in our seats. Unfortunately, bus accidents can and do occur, with an estimated 63,000 vehicles being involved in some accidents each year.
If you’re a victim of a bus accident and you have encountered an injury, you must seek medical assistance and justice for your situation. To help you, here are five steps you must take.
Take Photographs
Once the bus injury occurs, you must take photos of the scene before going any further. If you’re unable to do so, you should try to find someone else who can document the experience so that it can be used as evidence in your personal injury case. If you have had a slip and fall due to a hazard, you must have visual evidence of the scene, which can strengthen your case. You can also take photos of any injuries you’ve sustained that can be presented in court.
Collect Witness Statements
When on public transport, it’s likely that there will be fellow passengers on board. After a bus accident, there will be witnesses who you can speak to who can back up your claim, which will show that you’re telling the truth. If several witnesses are willing to come forward and stand with you, this will improve your chances of getting the outcome you want.
Seek Medical Assistance
Whether you’ve sustained minor or major injuries on the bus, you must seek medical assistance immediately. Getting checked over by a medical professional is vital, as your medical records can also be used as evidence in your case. If you need ongoing treatment and physical therapy because of your injuries, this should be documented and presented to the court. You may be able to obtain additional damages if the injuries you’ve sustained are life-long.
Find a Lawyer
Finding a reputable personal injury lawyer to represent you is essential. The more experience they have, the more likely you are to win your case. Attorneys such as Oresky Law can help if you’ve had a bus injury. When choosing an attorney, make sure they possess excellent communication skills so that you know where you stand from start to finish. If you don’t feel comfortable with a lawyer, this can hinder your chances of winning.
Stay Engaged
A personal injury case can be lengthy. Depending on the nature of the accident and your injuries, you could be waiting several months or even years for everything to be processed. This means you need to stay engaged throughout the case and stay in contact with your lawyer. If they require additional evidence, you must help in any way you can. Also, make sure you keep your stress levels at bay from start to finish.
Regardless of the extent of your injuries, you must follow the advice above to get justice and compensation for what has happened. Whether you’ve had a slip and fall while on board, or the vehicle has collided with another, you mustn’t suffer in silence.
