After a School Bus Accident
The first few hours and days following a school bus accident are critical. You should seek immediate medical attention for your child or family member. Be sure to get a full examination, and let your doctor know of any soreness, stiffness, aches, or pains. Keep in mind that some injuries may not present themselves right away. If you’re experiencing symptoms after your initial examination, don’t hesitate to go back and get another exam.
We should also note that school bus accidents can cause particularly severe injuries, as school buses tend to lack many modern safety features such as seatbelts and airbags. As a result, your child’s injuries may be obvious. However, recovery may take a long time and require extensive treatment and physical therapy. Your child’s health should be your first priority, and he or she should not have to suffer long-term consequences as a result of someone else’s negligence.
Once you’ve sought medical treatment, you should collect as much information as you can. You should try to get a copy of any reports from the police, insurance providers, or anyone else who is reporting on the accident. That said, be careful with what you say to others about the accident and your child’s injuries. Limit your conversations only to the basics facts of the accident, and resist any attempt to get you to arise at a conclusion as to the extent of your child’s injuries or what may have caused them.
You should also carefully document every step of the process. Keep detailed notes as to whom you spoke and when. Keep copies of all medical bills and other bills for treatment. Document any lost wages or other expenses that resulted from the accident, such as the time you had to take off from work to take your child to the doctor. This information will help you evaluate your claim for damages.
