A single mistake by a bus driver can lead to you suffering serious injuries and losses. Unfortunately, there are also several mistakes that you could make that prevent you from getting the payments you deserve after a bus crash.
Knowing common mistakes to avoid after an Allentown bus accident can make a big difference in the outcome of your insurance settlement or lawsuit. The seasoned lawyers at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers will fight like hell to protect your rights and ensure you do not unintentionally harm your case.
Not Getting Proof of Involvement in the Crash
One way that bus companies and their insurance providers may try to avoid paying for your injuries is by claiming that you were not actually on the bus when it crashed. Sadly, many bus accident victims realize after filing their claims that they do not have any objective evidence to prove the bus company wrong.
After a bus wreck, it’s important to keep all ticket stubs, receipts, or anything else in paper or digital form that proves you were onboard the bus. You should also gather other evidence, such as photos or videos of the bus, for your attorney to use in your bus accident claim.
Not Seeking Prompt Medical Care
Another serious mistake to avoid after a bus crash is not going to an emergency room for care—or at least scheduling a visit with a primary care physician—as soon as possible after the wreck. Aside from getting a proper medical assessment, seeking professional care is also vital to obtain documentary evidence of the injuries you suffered in the accident. Without this kind of documentation, it can make it more difficult for your attorney to get the compensation you deserve for the bus accident.
Be Careful When Talking to Insurance Companies
Simply put, it is best to avoid talking to insurance companies after a bus wreck. More specifically, you should avoid making any statement or signing anything sent to you by a bus insurance provider. Even a single poorly phrased answer to a leading question could make it much harder to hold the bus driver and company liable for their actions and your injuries.
Not Seeking Experienced Legal Counsel
After a bus crash, the biggest mistake of all is to try to pursue your claim without legal counsel. At Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers, our legal team knows the mistakes to avoid in these types of cases. We know how to fight for our clients and win the compensation they deserve.
In a seven-week trial related to a highway speed bus crash near the Lehigh Valley region, our firm won over $21.3 million in verdicts (with additional delay damages and post-verdict interest) and settlements against Greyhound Bus Company. In this crash, a Greyhound Bus operator fell asleep while driving a bus full of passengers from New York City to Cleveland, Ohio. CNN interviewed Founding Partner Jon Ostroff about Greyhound’s failure to adequately monitor fatigue among its drivers. The verdict portion of this recovery was $5.05m, the largest recorded verdict obtained against Greyhound Bus Company in Pennsylvania.
An Allentown Attorney Can Help You Avoid Mistakes After a Bus Accident
Trying to avoid hiring an attorney and representing yourself for the injuries you suffered in a bus crash can result in you causing irreversible harm to your claim. We know how to protect you from these mistakes. We also know all of the early steps that must occur right after a bus crash. It’s important not to lose the opportunity to preserve the evidence that may help you win your case.
Help from our knowledgeable attorneys is essential to avoiding mistakes after an Allentown bus accident. Call today to discuss your options in a free consultation.
