What Do You Do When You Are in a Bus Wreck?
Some people feel safer on a bus than they do in a car; however, buses are not necessarily safer than cars. Though buses have benefits for travelers, many of them lack safety features such as airbags and seat belts. A respected publication, journalistresource.org, reports that vehicular accidents involving buses happen almost weekly in America and at times are more fatal. For instance, in 2009, the bus occupant death rate was “45 deaths per 100,000 accidents.” So, it is not necessarily a valid assumption that buses are invariably safer than cars or that people are safer on a bus than in a car.
If you are on a bus and the bus is in a wreck, what do you do? Freak out? Stay calm? Try to be a hero and save everyone? Forget about it and leave? No. Your first and most important priority is to seek immediate medical attention, even though you may think you have not sustained any severe injuries. Be sure to have obvious injuries examined, treated, and have your back, spine, and head examined. Remember: your injuries may not become apparent until after the fact, so get checked.
Emergency responders like paramedics are usually the fastest way for you to receive immediate medical care. Usually, but not always, bus personnel will call 911. However, if the bus personnel become injured, die, or outright refuse to call 911, you must call 911 yourself. Calling 911 is so crucial for two reasons: First, emergency responders can perform medical examinations, and am ambulance may carry you to a hospital emergency room. Second, an official police report will document the incident.
After receiving medical attention, your next priority is to help document the incident. HG.org suggests that you obtain the contact information, names, telephone numbers, addresses of your fellow bus riders, the bus driver, other involved parties, and the emergency responders. HG.org also suggests that you take photographs or other forms of documentation. Having your own record of the incident will help your memory and better help an attorney help you. After all, using someone else’s records is good, but having your own records is often better.
Know this: the bus company may ask you to fill out a form with your name and ask you if you are hurt or injured. You may be asked how you feel. Many people will say that they are okay even if they are not. Be truthful but if you are confused, hurting, uncomfortable, injured or otherwise troubled by the wreck, say so. Don’t be shy. You do not have to complete any form the bus driver or company asks you to complete. The bus company, even at accident scene, will often take steps to limit its liability and avoid paying for injuries the wreck caused. If you are injured at the scene of the accident, but then say that you were not hurt or affected by the wreck, it can affect your case.
If you are involved in a bus wreck and have sustained injuries, you have legal remedies and rights available to you. For more information, contact Attorney Perry A. Craft. He will fight for you.
Perry A. Craft has dedicated his life to helping people in need. He has tried, settled, or resolved numerous civil and criminal cases in State and Federal courts, and has represented teachers and administrators before school boards, administrative judges, and the state Board of Education. Learn more about Attorney Craft.