Nobody wants to be involved in a vehicular accident. More so if it is with a huge vehicle such as a bus. Heavier damage and injuries can be expected in those kinds of accidents. What makes the situation even more complicated is that you need to deal with a bus company instead of just the driver of the bus.
It is not uncommon for these companies to give you a run-around until you get tired of trying to claim from them or their insurance companies.
In cases where the bus of a bus company hits you, it is necessary to take all appropriate steps to deal with the company. The following tips will prove very helpful:
Tip#1: Call the Police
If you figure in a bus accident, you need to first check yourself for injuries. The staff of the bus company is tasked to immediately call for emergency assistance but in cases where they are seriously injured or killed, or simply refused to do so, you have to be the one to call 911.
If you have injuries that makes you incapable of moving, ask someone else in the scene to call the police.
The police are tasked to create a report based on their investigation of the accident. This police report is a requirement in insurance claims and in personal injury lawsuits. Do not forget to acquire a copy of the police report for your own use when the time to deal with the bus company arrives.
You should note that some states provides a time limit by which an accident victim can seek medical claims or it will be rendered time-barred.
Tip#2: Get Insurance Information
You need to inform your insurer about the accident but more importantly, you have to get the bus company’s insurance information. The following details are significant in your ensuing claim:
- Name of driver and that of the bus company;
- The plate number of the bus and license number of its driver;
- The name of the insurer of the bus company and all its contact information;
- The location and details of the accident;
- Any useful photos or videos you can obtain of the accident;
- Contact information of witnesses in the scene.
All the information you gather are useful when it is time to face the bus company. The company’s cooperation may depend largely on the evidence you have against them.
Tip#3: Check in with the Bus Company Frequently
Bus companies typically have insurance coverage that is more comprehensive than common auto insurance. There should be no problem collecting from them as long as you provide all required documentations and proofs of the accident.
However, it is necessary to check in with the bus company frequently as they are not likely to exert extra effort to be the one to contact you for your need. Worse, they may even deem your inaction as lack of interest on your part to make a claim.
It is therefore necessary that you or your personal injury attorney show continued and insistent efforts in recovering from the bus company’s insurer the costs of the losses you acquired due to the accident caused by their bus.
Tip#4: Acquire the Help of a Personal Injury Attorney
You should consider getting the services of a personal injury attorney as he will not only be able to guide you with the requirements necessary but also be the one to deal with the bus company for you. This will afford you some ease from the intricacies involved in communicating with insurers from both sides and even increase your chances of succeeding in your claims.
Moreover, since the filing of a lawsuit, where applicable, involved a statute of limitation that starts upon obtaining an injury caused by the accident with the bus, it is necessary to move fast or lose the chance of suing the bus company. Your PI attorney can provide you with information about the statute of limitation in your state.
