Road accidents are growing in numbers and they are not just confined to car accidents. You will be surprised to know that thousands of people get injured in bus crashes every year. Considering the fact that these accidents involve commercial carriers rather than self-owned vehicles, they are treated differently. However, if you get injured in a bus crash, you can still claim compensation under the personal injury law. Knowing the law and its implications in this situation can make all the difference in getting a rightful claim as a victim. Here are some facts that you need to consider while filing a bus accident compensation claim.
Find the cause of the bus accident
To start with, you need to establish the cause of the accident because it decides the liability for the mishap. Improper hiring practices, deficient driver training, drunk or reckless driving and poor maintenance of vehicles are some causes that make the transport company liable for paying compensation. Other reasons include vehicle defects and bad roads. In such cases, the liability rests on bus manufacturers and roadway crews respectively.
Get medical treatment
Bus crash victims should get immediate medical aid. Even if the injuries seem minor, you should still seek an assessment and treatment right after the accident. Small issues are easy to ignore initially but quick treatment can save you from a lot of trouble. Beyond just putting you on the road to recovery, prompt medical treatment ensures proper documentation of your injuries. Therefore, you must make sure that you get the right treatment and proper reports and bills to serve as evidence.
File a police report
Like a conventional personal injury case, a bus crash case needs to be reported to the police. Though they will probably arrive on their own, you should call them at the earliest. Bus crash lawyers at Bourassa Law Group advise that you should get a copy of the police report as soon as it is filed. Like your medical records, this report also serves as key evidence when you file your insurance claim. Besides the police report, also gather the contact details of eyewitnesses and take photos and videos of the accident site and your injuries.
File a claim within the recommended time limits
Another fact that you should consider while filing a compensation claim after a bus crash is the time limit. Ideally, you should do it sooner rather than later because you will need the money for your treatment. This time limit may differ from state to state and you can find it out by consulting an expert attorney. Even if you are seriously injured as a passenger or pedestrian in the bus accident, filing a claim at the earliest should be your top priority. You may even be granted increased time limits by the state if the injuries are fatal in nature.
Besides being aware of these facts about a bus crash compensation claim, you should hire a personal injury lawyer who specializes in such cases. Ensure that you take legal guidance before signing any documents from the bus company or insurance adjusters because they can take you for a ride. Your lawyer, on the other hand, is the person you can trust for working in your favor and getting you the claim you rightfully deserve.
