Any accident involving large vehicles, including buses, can be catastrophic, even at lower speeds. If you’re involved in a bus accident, you may sustain severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and bone fractures.
You may be entitled to compensation after being injured in an MTA bus accident caused by someone else’s fault. Even so, you must prove the negligent actions of the at-fault party while filing a claim or before a judge or jury. Therefore, you should work with a legal professional for advice on protecting your interests as an injured victim.
A bus accident lawyer from Poltielov Law Firm Injury Lawyers can investigate the cause of the crash and initiate a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party.
What to Do if You Get Hit by a Bus
Your actions after sustaining an injury in an MTA bus accident can enhance your wellness and protect your rights as an injured victim. Here’s what to do after being hit by a bus:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Seek medical attention immediately, even if you believe your injuries are minor. Visiting a healthcare professional can help identify potentially serious injuries that may not be immediately apparent.
Specific injuries, such as internal bleeding or concussions, might not display symptoms right away. A healthcare provider can initiate a treatment plan to prevent these conditions from worsening and causing long-term harm.
Moreover, a medical evaluation will also document your injuries. For example, a doctor’s note is an official record linking injuries directly to the accident. A bus accident lawyer can rely on the medical records to initiate a claim or lawsuit against the negligent party.
Insurance companies also investigate the timing and medical records to ascertain the legitimacy of a claim. An insurer can question the severity or validity of your claim if you delay making a claim.
File a Police Accident Report
You should always alert the local police department in Queens after being injured in an MTA bus accident. Notifying the authorities ensures that an official record of the incident is created.
A law enforcement officer will generate a report with the following details:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Description of the accident
- Driver and vehicle information
- Injuries and vehicle damage
- Investigating officer’s observations, conclusions, tickets, and citations.
An MTA bus accident attorney can use a police accident report to establish liability and strengthen your claim.
Consult a Trusted MTA Bus Accident Lawyer
You should also speak to a trusted bus accident attorney after being injured in a bus accident. A lawyer can evaluate the merits of your case and decide if it’s worth pursuing a claim.
You also require the support of an MTA bus accident attorney to prove the extent of your injuries. They can use medical bills, bank statements, prescription records, and diagnostic reports to demonstrate the impact of the injury.
How Much Compensation for Bus Accident
The ability to recover from a bus accident depends on the settlement value you receive for your losses. Generally, there is no average value for a bus accident. The outcome depends on the facts and circumstances of each case.
Here are the factors that determine the compensation for a bus accident:
- Severity of the Injury: A bus injury victim with a traumatic brain injury is likely to receive a higher settlement value compared to someone with a laceration. More severe injuries typically result in higher compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, among other damages.
- Insurance Coverage of the At-fault Party: The negligent party’s insurance coverage can determine the settlement value you receive for your losses. You’ll likely receive a low settlement value if the at-fault party has limited insurance coverage. An experienced personal injury lawyer can explore additional options, including filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
- Availability of Evidence: The strength of the evidence available to support your claim can also determine the value of your bus accident claim. Evidence such as witness statements, police reports, medical records, and surveillance footage can strengthen your claim, leading to a higher settlement value.
- Shared Fault: In some bus accident cases, more than one party may be at fault for the accident. You may receive a lower settlement value if you are found partially responsible for the accident. A bus accident attorney can gather evidence so the insurer doesn’t shift the blame onto you.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help
You may be overwhelmed after being injured in an MTA bus accident in Queens. A personal injury attorney can handle the legal aspects, allowing you to focus on recovery.
Here’s how a personal injury lawyer can help you:
Adhering to Legal Timelines
All cases, including bus accident claims, must adhere to legal timelines. Injured victims in Queens have a narrow 90-day period to submit a notice of claim after an MTA bus accident. Missing this short window means forfeiting the right to pursue a claim.
Even after filing the claim, the standard three-year deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits in Queens, New York, applies. A personal injury attorney understands these deadlines and will make timely submissions to protect your right to compensation.
Negotiating With Insurers
Many insurers make low settlement offers, hoping you’ll accept without objection. A personal injury attorney can evaluate the settlement offers and advise you whether to accept, reject, or push for a better value.
Most importantly, they can use evidence to enhance their position during negotiations. An MTA bus accident lawyer is also prepared to take your case to trial if you can’t reach an agreement with the insurer.
Get Legal Support From a Pedestrian Accident Attorney
You may endure hefty medical bills, emotional distress, and inability to work after being injured in a bus accident. Although you have a right to compensation, the at-fault party’s insurer may reject your claim or make a low settlement offer.
You can enhance the chances of success by working with a bus accident lawyer from Poltielov Law Firm Injury Lawyers. They have dealt with numerous bus accidents and will work hard to maximize the settlement value for your losses. Contact us online to schedule your free consultation.