As a Metro Transit commuter, you hope never to experience an accident on your journey. While car collisions are more common, Minnesota buses can occasionally crash. Knowing how to respond if you’re injured in a bus accident can significantly impact your recovery.
5 immediate steps to take after a bus accident
- Check yourself and your companions for injuries.
- Call 911 for emergency services.
- Document the scene by taking as many photos and videos as you can.
- Gather the contact information of those present.
- Seek medical attention, even for injuries that seem minor.
If you sustain serious injuries in a bus accident, you may be eligible for compensation. Minnesota bus accident victims can typically recover the following types of damages:
- Economic damages: Monetary losses such as medical expenses and lost wages
- Non-economic damages: Non-monetary losses such as pain and suffering
- Punitive damages: Damages a guilty defendant may be ordered to pay on top of compensatory damages
To pursue compensation, you have the option to file an insurance claim or initiate a personal injury lawsuit against the parties responsible for the accident. Having strong evidence is essential to substantiate your claim.
Who is liable for a bus accident?
Identifying the root cause of the bus accident can help establish who to hold responsible. Frequently, bus accidents result from driver negligence or error, such as distracted driving, speeding, or intoxication. Bus drivers may not be the party responsible or the only one at fault. In some cases, another motorist driving may be at fault instead of the bus driver.
Negligence on the part of the bus company, such as insufficient driver training, inadequate screening during hiring, or disregard for maintenance, can also lead to devastating accidents. If the bus contained defective parts, the manufacturer could also bear some responsibility.
A personal injury attorney can help you conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is at fault, collect evidence and guide you in pursuing fair compensation. When multiple parties are liable, which is common in bus accidents, recovering damages can become more complex.
Taking legal action might seem overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. Moreover, a successful claim can help cover the necessary treatments for your recovery while encouraging bus drivers and companies to improve their practices.