What Should I Do if I Am Injured in a Bus Accident?
Posted December 7th, 2022.
Categories: Blog.
Many New Jerseyans rely on the bus system to get them from place to place. With this, they also rely on the fact that they will arrive at their destinations safely. But the unfortunate truth is that bus accidents commonly occur in the state of New Jersey. And when they do, the injuries and damages can be detrimental. Continue reading to learn what you should do if you were injured in a bus accident and how an experienced Cherry Hill personal injury attorney at The Law Offices of Mark S. Guralnick can support you during this time.
What are the common causes of bus accidents in the state of New Jersey?
A bus accident may occur by the fault of other drivers on the road or by faulty bus parts. But almost always, they occur by the fault of a negligent bus driver. That is, a bus driver can be considered negligent if they performed any of the following actions:
- They were driving recklessly (i.e., speeding, texting, under the influence, etc).
- They were releasing passengers at unsafe stops.
- They were driving while passengers were not seated yet.
- They were making drastic stops and starts.
- There were closing the doors prematurely on passengers.
- They were driving without the proper emergency equipment on board.
What do I do if I suffer an injury from a bus accident?
Immediately after your bus accident, you must follow the below steps:
- Call 911: a law enforcement officer can conduct an accident report and dispatch an ambulance to the scene.
- Document the scene: take photos and videos of your injuries, damages, and the overall scene.
- Collect contact information: ask the bus driver for their name, number, commercial driver’s license number, employer contact information, etc.
- Gather witnesses: ask present witnesses for their contact information and their willingness to offer testimony later on.
- Go to medical treatment: attend the ambulance at the scene and attend follow-up appointments at the hospital so to collect your medical documentation and bills.
- Hire a skilled Cherry Hill personal injury lawyer: our team will help you collect any additional evidence, such as surveillance camera footage, and overall represent you in your personal injury claim proceedings.
What do I have to file for my personal injury claim?
When it comes to personal injury claims involving public transportation like buses, you will likely have to file a Notice of Claim before filing your personal injury claim. Importantly, your Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the date of your accident. Then, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in the state of New Jersey is generally two years from the date of your accident.
Evidently, these are tight turnaround times. So to ensure that you have ample time to file your claim, contact our firm today.
