What to Do if You’re a Passenger in a Bus Accident in Indiana

Bus accidents can be extremely frightening for Indiana passengers. If you’re a bus accident victim, it’s important to take a deep breath and proceed with the necessary steps. Taking the right actions now can help you more easily recover monetary damages in the future.

Immediately after a bus accident in Indiana, speak to law enforcement officials. It’s important that you’re named as a bus accident victim on an Indiana police report. Next, get eyewitnesses’ information if possible and seek medical attention. By taking these crucial steps, victims can help preserve evidence that can be invaluable to their attorneys.

Recovering compensation after a bus accident can present technical legal issues, as public transit vehicles in Indiana are sometimes owned or operated by local governments or municipalities, which require special notice shortly after the incident to preserve your claim. Acting quickly and immediately hiring a skilled attorney is crucial following a bus accident in Indiana.

Our attorneys are dedicated to helping injured passengers get the justice they deserve after an Indiana bus accident. For a free case evaluation with the Indianapolis bus accident lawyers at Wruck Paupore, call today at (219) 322-1166.

What to Do After an Indiana Bus Accident as a Passenger

Bus accidents in Indiana can be catastrophic for passengers. These large vehicles generally do not have the same safety precautions in place as passenger cars, like airbags and seat belts, to protect bus occupants in the event of an accident.

If you’re riding on a bus in Indiana and a collision occurs, there are several things you should do. Taking the necessary steps can help improve your chances of recovering the damages you deserve after a bus accident in Indiana.

Speak to Police

Don’t rely on others to notify Indiana police officers of a collision. If you’re able, call law enforcement officials yourself. When police officers arrive on the scene of an Indiana bus accident, it’s important that injured passengers speak with them. Large-scale accidents with multiple victims can get chaotic quickly. Officers will want to speak to each victim so they can be included in a crash report. If you cannot speak to law enforcement officials immediately because of your injuries, follow up with them the days after the crash.

You should give Indiana police officers your information and an account of your immediate injuries. While police reports aren’t usually admissible in court in an Indiana bus accident lawsuit, they contain invaluable evidence which can assist you in recovery and it is very helpful if you are identified as a victim of the bus accident in question.

Speak to Eyewitnesses

The aftermath of bus accidents in Indiana is generally chaotic. Injured passengers may be unsure what happened, as they rarely have a clear view of the road when riding a bus. While you may be unaware of the cause of your Indiana bus accident, eyewitnesses may have seen what happened. If your injuries permit you, speak to eyewitnesses and get their contact information. Your Indiana bus accident lawyer can get in touch with eyewitnesses in the future, and their testimony can help you recover the damages you deserve.

Seek Medical Attention

Bus accident injuries are often very severe. Remember, there generally aren’t safety devices in place on buses to protect passengers during a crash. On particularly crowded buses, Indiana passengers may elect to stand, which can lead to serious injuries if a collision occurs. Even if your injuries appear insignificant at first, seek medical attention. It is important to create evidence that attests to the severity of your injuries and their likely cause. Your Fort Wayne bus accident lawyer can use your medical records to prove a negligent driver’s fault, so seeking medical attention is crucial.

Recovering Compensation After a Bus Accident in Indiana

Because bus accident victims are likely to sustain serious injuries, ranging from traumatic brain injuries to broken bones, they are often entitled to substantial compensatory damages. Your experienced attorney can help you navigate the recovery process to receive the money you deserve after a bus accident in Indiana.

The first step in recovering compensation for Indiana bus accident victims is filing an insurance claim. It is important to have a skilled attorney working on your behalf to handle this process, as Indiana insurance companies are known to offer insufficient settlement amounts to victims. Generally, victims will file a claim with a bus company’s liability insurance. It’s important to note that if the bus you were riding is part of the public transit system owned and operated by state or local governmental entities, filing an insurance claim can be complicated and requires that a variety of technical legal requirements be met to prevent you from losing your claim. Having an experienced attorney handle this is crucial.

Our skilled Hammond bus accident lawyers can help you move forward with a lawsuit against a negligent driver or bus company if we are unable to secure a voluntary settlement. Suing the Indiana public transit system presents many unique issues, so it’s important that injured passengers hire an experienced attorney to protect their rights.

Our lawyers work to help you recover every cent you are owed for economic and non-economic damages following an Indiana bus accident. If a settlement cannot be reached, we will move forward with a lawsuit against the responsible parties. We will handle all aspects of the claim so that you can concentrate on healing following the Indiana bus accident.

When Should Injured Passengers Hire an Attorney After an Indiana Bus Accident?

It’s important that injured passengers act quickly after an Indiana bus accident and hire an attorney right away. If you wait too long to act, you could lose your opportunity to recover compensatory damages.

Injuries sustained in bus accidents in Indiana are often severe. When hospital bills and lost wages begin to pile up, victims may find themselves at a loss. The emotional impact a bus accident can have on your life can also be overwhelming. Ultimately, because holding an Indiana public transit system accountable presents unique legal issues and has numerous technical requirements, it’s wise to hire a South Bend bus accident lawyer immediately after a crash.

By acting quickly, victims provide their attorneys ample time to investigate an accident, uncover evidence, provide required legal notices, and build a strong case against a defendant.

Call Our Attorneys if You’ve Been Injured in an Indiana Bus Accident Today

If you’ve recently been injured in a bus accident in Indiana, our attorneys can help. For a free case evaluation with the Indiana bus accident lawyers at Wruck Paupore, call today at (219) 322-1166.