Despite its name, First Student Charter Bus Rental, Inc. is not a transportation company that services the schools operating in the United States. In fact, the company targets much of its marketing campaign on providing affordable buses that cater to groups planning special events.
You might come across a First School bus on a highway heading to a wedding reception and five minutes later, see a second First School bus packed to capacity heading to the local art museum. It does not matter where a First Student Bus was heading when it hit you.
It matters that you have a thorough understanding about how the insurance claim process works.
Like large trucks, buses carry a considerable amount of weight, which means just a light impact accident can cause you a wide variety of health issues. To recover the costs of medical care, you need to submit a persuasive claim to your auto insurance company. This means you have to know the costs associated with a bus accident, as well as how to present a compelling case that convinces your insurer to approve a claim.
Time is of the Essence
Filing a car insurance claim is not one of life’s things to do that you can put off until the proverbial tomorrow. You need to submit a claim packed with plenty of evidence in a timely manner for two reasons. First, any witness accounts of the accident must be written down immediately after a vehicle accident.
If you wait months to file a claim, your insurance company might not take the witness accounts as seriously as it should. Second, your state has imposed a statute of limitations for filing an auto insurance claim.
The statute of limitations for auto insurance claims vary, so make sure to consult with a licensed personal injury lawyer to learn how much time you have to file a claim. Some states have a statute of limitations for the filing of a claim that covers medical bills, and a second statute of limitations for recovering the costs of vehicle repair jobs. The statute of limitations for the filing of a car insurance claim starts on the day of the accident.
What is the Auto Insurance Claim Process?
Immediately after an accident with a First School Charter Bus Rental, Inc. vehicle, you should contact a representative from your insurance company to determine the best way to proceed. An insurance adjuster will offer advice ranging from whether you should call police to explaining the information you need to obtain from the bus driver.
If a local law enforcement agency encourages you to collect evidence, you should take photographs of the accident scene, with special attention paid to capturing the damage done to your vehicle. Interviewing witnesses right after the accident provides support to any physical evidence gathered at the accident scene.
Lean on a Personal Injury Attorney for Support
Although contacting your insurer is a good idea, so is speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Your attorney will examine the evidence collected at the accident scene to decide whether there is enough evidence to move forward with a civil lawsuit. Most personal injury lawyers schedule free initial consultations with new clients.
Additional Resources
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against First Student Bus, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
