Injured on a Bus in Miami? Four Steps to Protect Your Rights
Buses are one of the most efficient, cost effective forms of transportation. While travelling on a bus is generally more safe than riding in a passenger car, there are still risks. Accidents happened. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) notes that approximately 65,000 bus accidents are reported nationwide each year. Victims should understand how to protect their rights. Here are four steps you should take if you are injured in a bus accident in Miami.
- Seek Immediate Attention for Medical Emergencies
Following a Miami bus accident, injured victims need immediate medical attention. We must emphasize: Medical emergencies always come first. If you suffered a severe injury in a bus accident, you need emergency medical care. Other matters are secondary. If you suffered non-emergency injury, you also need to get a prompt medical evaluation. Seeing a doctor will protect your own health and well-being. Beyond that, you will not be eligible to file a bus accident injury claim without medical documentation.
- Collect as Much Relevant Information as Possible
To the maximum extent possible, you should document a bus accident. The more information you have, the easier it will be to bring a successful bus accident claim. Here are some of the key details you should try to obtain at the scene of a Miami bus accident:
- The name of the bus driver;
- The license plate number, make, and model of the bus;
- Your ticket information—including the specific travel route of the bus;
- Photographs of the crash damage and your injuries; and
- Contact information for passengers and other witnesses.
- Keep a Record of Your Injuries, Your Suffering, and Your Damages
In the aftermath of the bus accident, it is a best practice to record as much information as possible about your injuries, your pain and suffering, and your financial damages. Write down when and where you received medical care and keep a record of any billing. Write down exactly how much time you missed at work and any wages that were lost. Finally, keep a careful record of how your injuries affect your day-to-day life, including the severity of your pain and suffering.
- Speak to a Bus Accident Lawyer Before an Insurance Adjuster
Bus accident injury claims are complicated. These personal injury cases are often defended by large and aggressive insurance companies. Please know that the bus company’s insurer is not looking out for your best interests—no matter how friendly that may come across on the phone. To protect your rights, speak to a Miami bus accident injury lawyer before giving a recorded statement to a representative of the insurance company.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Bus Accident Attorney in Miami
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Miami bus accident attorneys are experienced advocates for victims and their families. If you were hurt on a public bus in Miami, we are here to help you navigate the claims process. Call our Miami law office now for a free review of your case. We represent injured victims throughout Miami-Dade County.
Resource:
fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts
https://www.turnpikelaw.com/how-common-are-bus-accidents/
