If you’ve been involved in a bus accident in Buffalo, the first thing you should do is take a deep breath and try to stay calm. Accidents can be overwhelming, but it’s important to stay focused and take the necessary steps to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through what to do after a bus accident in Buffalo.
Step 1: Check Yourself and Others for Injuries
The first thing you should do after any accident is to check yourself and others for injuries. If you or anyone else is seriously injured, call 911 immediately. If you’re not sure if someone is injured, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and call for help.
Step 2: Move to a Safe Location
If possible, move yourself and your vehicle to a safe location away from traffic. This will help prevent further accidents and keep everyone safe.
Step 3: Call the Police
Even if there are no serious injuries, you should always call the police after an accident. They will file a report, which can be useful if you need to file a claim with your insurance company or take legal action later on.
Step 4: Exchange Information
Exchange contact and insurance information with the driver of the bus and any other drivers involved in the accident. Be sure to get their names, phone numbers, addresses, and insurance information.
Step 5: Take Photos
Take photos of the accident scene, including any damage to your vehicle, the bus, and any other vehicles involved. This can be useful evidence if you need to file a claim with your insurance company or take legal action later on.
Step 6: Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident. Some injuries, such as whiplash or internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent. Keep all medical records related to the accident, as they may be useful if you need to file a claim with your insurance company or take legal action later on.
Step 7: Contact an Attorney
If you were injured in the accident, it’s important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected.
Step 8: Notify Your Insurance Company
After seeking medical attention and contacting an attorney, it’s important to notify your insurance company about the accident. Even if you were not at fault, you may need to file a claim with your insurance company to cover any damages to your vehicle or medical expenses.
Step 9: Keep Records
Keep detailed records of all expenses related to the accident, including medical bills, repair bills, and any other costs incurred as a result of the accident. These records can be useful evidence if you need to file a claim with your insurance company or take legal action later on.
Step 10: Cooperate with the Investigation
Cooperate fully with any investigation into the accident. This may include speaking with the police, insurance adjusters, and any other parties involved in the accident. Be truthful and provide as much information as you can to help determine who was at fault.
Step 11: Stay Calm and Patient
It’s important to stay calm and patient throughout the process. Recovering from a bus accident can be a long and difficult process, but with the help of an experienced attorney, you can get the compensation you deserve. Be patient, follow the advice of your attorney, and stay focused on your recovery.
Andrews, Bernstein & Maranto, PLLC is a law firm that specializes in personal injury cases, including bus accidents. If you’ve been involved in a bus accident in Buffalo, our experienced attorneys can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected.
We can help you with the following:
- Providing legal advice: Our attorneys can provide you with legal advice on what to do after a bus accident in Buffalo, including how to handle insurance claims and what steps to take to protect your legal rights.
- Investigating the accident: We can investigate the accident and gather evidence to help determine who was at fault. This can include speaking with witnesses, reviewing police reports, and analyzing medical records.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: Our attorneys can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
- Representing you in court: If necessary, we can represent you in court and fight for your rights in front of a judge and jury.
- Providing emotional support: We understand that a bus accident can be a traumatic experience. Our attorneys can provide you with emotional support and guidance throughout the legal process.
If you’ve been involved in a bus accident in Buffalo, Andrews, Bernstein & Maranto, PLLC can provide you with the legal support you need to protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation