Bus accidents are typically less common than other traffic accidents, but their consequences are just as serious—and often involve many more people. Residents of Gainesville ride buses every day and trust those in charge of the vehicles to keep them safe. Unfortunately, sometimes things go wrong. For example, the bus driver might not uphold their duty to drive without distraction or the bus maintenance company could fail to properly inspect the bus for problems, which then leads to a bus accident.
Whatever the reason for a bus accident, those affected can include passengers on the bus as well as other motorist, cyclists, or pedestrians on the road. And none of these victims should have to pay for the negligence of those responsible. If you or a loved one was injured in a bus accident, it’s time to contact a Gainesville bus accident lawyer.
Our attorneys work tirelessly every day to win financial recovery for clients who were injured at no fault of their own. We never charge you a dime unless we win money for you. And we’ll start with a FREE consultation to go over your case and the ways we can help. For this free consultation with one of our compassionate and experienced bus accident lawyers, contact us today. Call (404) 341-6555 or simply fill out the form to your right to get started.
What If the Bus Driver Seemed Fatigued or Distracted?
Driving distracted while operating any vehicle is serious—especially if that vehicle is a huge bus. Bus drivers have a civil duty to ensure they are free of distraction and able to drive safely and defensively on the road.
If a bus driver is tired or fatigued, they should not be on the road. The same goes for distractions. If the driver is distracted by a cell phone, food, or anything else (inside or outside the vehicle) while driving, they being negligent. And if their negligence leads to an accident, they are liable for the injuries and damages involved.
Here’s what you should do if you notice an issue with the driver:
Tell Police
If you noticed the bus driver was distracted or seemed fatigued before the bus accident occurred, you’ll need to report this to police who arrive at the scene. Make sure someone calls 911 after the accident so a police report is created of the accident.
Try to Get Evidence
Take a picture or video of the bus driver’s behavior while on the job. If you’re a passenger on the bus, you may be able to get a picture or video. Talk to others who were on the bus and ask if they noticed the behavior, as well. Any evidence of the driver’s negligence will help prove they were acting carelessly before the accident occurred.
Call a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were injured during the accident and the bus driver’s actions (or lack of actions) are to blame, call a bus accident lawyer as soon as possible. They can help you take action in building a case for financial recovery of your damages. You shouldn’t have to bear the burden of costs from the accident when it wasn’t your fault.
I Thought I Only Had Minor Injuries, But Now the Pain Won’t Go Away. What Do I Do?
Accidents are traumatic, even minor ones. It’s not uncommon to have injury symptoms like pain that don’t manifest right away. If you thought your injuries were only minor right after the accident but they worsen later on, it can be frustrating and leave you feeling hopeless. There are a number reasons why physical symptoms might not show up or worsen right away.
Soft Tissue Injuries Can Take Time to Develop
Bus accidents other types of car accidents often cause damage to the tendons, muscles, or ligaments—known as the soft tissues in your body. The force from an accident can throw your body around abruptly, putting pressure on soft tissues and causing damage. A very common example of this is whiplash from an accident.
Soft tissue injuries can cause swelling, pain, and reduced mobility—but these symptoms can take days or weeks to fully show up.
Adrenaline Can “Block” the Pain
When you’re in an accident, your body makes chemicals like endorphins and adrenaline that block pain and get your body a boost of energy. These chemicals are helpful for getting you through the trauma of an accident and taking necessary action to help yourself, but they also might make you think you’re better off than you are after the accident.
Over time, your body stops releasing those chemicals at the same level, and the pain they were temporarily blocking can start to set in.
Because bus accident injuries don’t always show up right away, it’s so important to get proper medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident—and to report any type of pain or injury, even minor, to your doctor.
Even if you feel completely fine, still see a doctor to get checked out. A medical professional can determine whether you have any serious injuries and give advice on watching for symptoms that could be signs of further injury. When pain starts to worsen, see a doctor again immediately. Having documentation that you sought medical treatment soon after the accident is good for your insurance claim.
Wait to Accept an Insurance Claim
You should also have the support of a bus accident lawyer and not accept anything from the insurance company until you’ve talk to that lawyer. Insurance companies are trained to contact you after an accident and offer money upfront. They may try to get you to sign a document or make a statement about your injuries. Don’t do this. If you accept any money, you’ll miss out on possibly getting financial recovery for the costs of treatment when the pain worsens.
Wait long enough to ensure all injuries from the bus accident have shown up so you can claim them as damages. Your lawyer can help you determine the best timeframe for all of this.
Talk to a Gainesville Bus Accident Lawyer for Free
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, you deserve financial recovery for the damages you’ve suffered. Our bus accident lawyers have more than two decades of experience working on and winning bus accident cases for our clients. For a FREE consultation to discuss your case as soon as possible, call us at (404) 341-6555, or fill out the form to your right.