What Steps Should I Take After Being Involved in a Bus Accident in North Carolina?
What would you do if you were involved in a bus accident in Charlotte? Would you know what to do immediately following the occurrence of an accident? The fact is, there are many who don’t consider this question as most don’t anticipate getting involved in a collision with a bus or while riding on one. But the fact is, these accidents transpire more often than we think and knowing the immediate steps to follow right after a bus accident occurs could affect your ability to receive compensation for the injuries you may have sustained.
- The first thing you should do is request medical attention right away. Typically, the bus driver is responsible for doing this but sometimes they suffer injuries themselves and are physically unable to call for help. If your injuries permit you to, call 911 immediately to ensure an officer comes out and emergency medical attention is dispatched if necessary. Aside from having police come out to assess the accident scene, you also want a police report drafted to ensure the accident is recorded which makes it easier for you to file a claim when the time comes to do so.
- Once 911 is called, be sure you take photos of the accident scene, including your injuries. This may be helpful for your bus accident lawyer to have in the event you hire legal aid as well as the insurance company who is going to be handling the claim. Having evidence from the actual accident prevents any party from providing false information and making the accident out to be something that it wasn’t.
- Jot down any pertinent information you believe is going to be important for your claim. Things like names, phone numbers, what bus you were on, etc. all could be used at a later date.
- You are also going to want to have yourself checked out at a local hospital or by your
It is extremely important for you to have a physician assess your injuries or determine if you sustained any after the bus accident.
treating physician. You don’t want to wait too long as this can impact your ability to collect compensation for your injuries. Some companies, such as government entities, require you to go through a specific process when involved in an accident with a government worker and you don’t want to risk losing out on what you are rightfully due. You also don’t want to put off seeking medical attention as the insurer handling the claim could say your injuries weren’t severe enough seeing that you didn’t need to visit the hospital or a doctor following the crash.
- Consult with a local Charlotte bus accident lawyer. The reason you want to consider doing so is because bus companies such as CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) will usually have a specific procedure they follow in how they handle an accident claim and you need to be sure your injuries are all taken into account. Having legal representation only assures that you are being treated fairly and that you aren’t being taken advantage of, even though you are the victim.
According to the most recent data provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 4,311 people were killed in 2015 in large truck and bus collisions. The number increases tremendously in terms of those that suffered injuries but survived the accident.
The fact is, a bus accident can be detrimental to anyone’s life, even if you were lucky enough to survive. Therefore, if you were recently involved in a bus collision in Charlotte, NC and are considering speaking with a lawyer who specializes in bus accident law, let USAttorneys.com handle the task of finding the right attorney. You need someone who is skilled in this particular field of law who will have your best interests in mind.
