People use public transportation for an assortment of different reasons. Some people live and work close to established stops, and they find it more efficient or cost-effective to ride the bus than to drive. After all, they don’t have to worry about maintenance or parking when they ride on a bus.
Many people also view public transportation as a safer alternative to driving, especially when they have had something to drink or are feeling under the weather. Few people stop to consider the possibility that a bus could end up involved in a crash. When bus crashes do occur, there are many reasons to worry about personal safety.
Missouri buses don’t have seat belts even though state law requires those in passenger vehicles to wear seat belts if they are in the front of the vehicle. While buses are bigger than passenger vehicles, semi-trucks and fast-moving vehicles could still cause serious damage to a bus and its occupants. What steps does someone need to take after getting hurt on a public bus to pursue compensation?
Establish who is at fault
Bus drivers have special licenses and are often very attentive to their surroundings. Therefore, it could very well be the people in the other vehicle that are at fault for a bus collision. Determining who is at fault and therefore how to hold the right party liable is often an important step after a crash involving a public bus.
Seek out an appropriate medical evaluation
One of the easiest mistakes to make after a crash is to decline a medical examination. People often want to get on with their days as quickly as possible and dislike the idea of another lengthy delay while they wait to see a physician at an urgent care center. People often assume that they can spot the signs of serious injuries, but some injuries are easy to overlook right after a crash. Stable injuries and internal injuries, including brain injuries, might not become apparent until the next day or even later.
Be cautious about formal communication
Municipal authorities or companies operating charter buses, as well as the companies insuring such vehicles, are often eager to limit financial liability. They may ask people to sign paperwork asserting that they didn’t suffer injuries or declining to pursue compensation. Anyone involved in a bus collision could face manipulative and tricky negotiation tactics intended to deprive them of the compensation they deserve. The average person coping with the frustration and pain caused by a bus collision may need help handling the aftermath of the incident.
Learning more about how to pursue justice after a bus crash may benefit those who regularly take public transportation. Those who know what steps to take can avoid mistakes that could cause financial complications in the future.