Bus accidents are more common than you may think. Despite extensive training and safety provisions for all drivers and vehicles, there are often times when an incident takes place regardless. If you are a pedestrian or driving a car, the effects for you will be major. Buses are large, commercial vehicles after all, and the weight factor alone is enough to create a devastating impact. Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys have some guidance for anyone who finds themselves in this unfortunate circumstance.
Immediately After the Accident Takes Place
There are a few things to keep in mind immediately after a bus hits you. If you are a pedestrian, and your injuries aren’t preventing you from doing so, move to safety. Lying on the road puts you at risk of being hit again, and this could lead to loss of life. Phone 911 and ask for both police assistance and ambulance support. Make sure looking after your injuries is a top priority. There will be time to collect details like the driver’s name and license from the police report in due time.
The First Week After the Crash
Once a few days have passed, you are likely to be feeling a mixture of complex emotions. There is no way to tell how a serious accident like this will affect you both physically and mentally. The top priority is still to allow your body and mind to heal in the way it needs to. Rehabilitation is a core focus, but you will naturally be wondering why the accident happened and what life will look like from this point forward. There are various truths here to take on board. Bus accidents typically cause more serious injuries like catastrophic head trauma and severe breaks or fractures. You could be facing surgery, extensive medical input, and a chunk of time away from your professional duties. The most important thing during this time is to make sure you are getting medical treatment and following the advice of your doctors.
Collating the Facts
The time will come, however, when it is appropriate to collect evidence and gather the facts of the matter. This will require professional input, and we are here to assist in any way that we are able to. What kind of things help when requesting compensation and further damages?
The Truth
How is the truth best represented? Through evidence, of course. If you have anything that can support what you are saying, now is the time to highlight it. This can be anything from a photographic documentation of your sustained injuries, images from the scene of the crash, details about damages to your vehicle, witness accounts from the day and time the incident took place, and even footage from local CCTV systems.
Finding Who’s to Blame
There are many reasons why a bus accident may come about. For example, there could have been neglect somewhere down the line when it came to vehicle maintenance. If repairs were avoided, or shortcuts were taken and a bus driver loses control, this is a common cause. What else might play a role?
A Lack of Professional Training
All bus drivers are required, by law, to pass certain qualifications and hold a special license. They must not operate their vehicles or take a role without one. These facts must always be verified by any hiring agency, and if it is the case that a driver was inexperienced then this is entirely actionable when it comes to compensation filing. Training is essential, and no driver should go out independently and operate a bus without feeling confident in their abilities to undertake the journey.
Third-Party Causes
There are also times when it is difficult to see who is at fault. This might be when the weather was particularly adverse, for instance, heavy rain or ice, or a third unspecified road user played a role in the collision. If this is the case, then compensation becomes a little trickier. Where there were unsafe driving conditions, the argument can be put forth that the bus driver should have made allowances and adjustments for it. Where there is another car involved, it could be claimed that they are wholly responsible. This is why the facts matter and a bus accident injury lawyer on our team will always get to the bottom of who was there and what happened to secure the best possible outcome for you.
Navigating Loss of Life
Bus accidents are a leading cause of death. If you have lost a loved one as a result of this type of incident, then you are in need of a wrongful death attorney here at our firm. Grief makes everything more intense and harder to navigate. Our professional approach is infused with compassion and experience so that you feel best supported when attempting to piece the puzzle back together and begin your healing journey.
For Drivers
Being hit by a bus while you are also driving on the road is scary. It can happen so quickly that you don’t have time to react, or you may see it coming but not be able to avoid it. You are likely to be facing damage to your vehicle, and injuries as well. Make sure you keep every single record and think about every fact of the incident so that you can bring out the truth and move forward.
For Pedestrians
Pedestrians are more likely to suffer graver consequences than car drivers because they are more exposed, and this type of incident means they are likely to feel the full blow of the weight of a bus. An experienced pedestrian accident law firm like us understands all too well the devastating impact of such a thing. It is imperative that pedestrians get the right advice and support post-accident, and that they don’t settle for anything less than what they deserve.
These types of accidents are some of the most dangerous in the whole world. Buses are big, heavy, and hard to stop once they lose control. Whether you have lost a loved one, or are affected as either a pedestrian or driver, our team is here to support and assist.
Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys are in California, Nevada, and Texas. Make an appointment to see how our team of professionals can help you today.
