Do’s and Don’ts for Building a Strong Bus Accident Claim
If you’re planning to seek compensation after a bus wreck, you should be aware that your actions in the aftermath of this traumatic event could have a major influence on how proceedings unfold. Even a minor misstep could compromise your case before you’ve even entered negotiations, so it’s important to consider your next steps carefully.
In this article, we share a few tips on what you should—and shouldn’t—do in the days following a collision:
Do Take Your Treatment Seriously
In the wake of a serious wreck, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. From juggling your expenses to processing your accident-related trauma, it’s all too easy to lose sight of what matters most: Doing everything in your power to expedite the healing process. In short, your health and well-being should always be your number one priority.
As such, if you haven’t undergone a comprehensive medical assessment yet, you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Once you’ve received a diagnosis, you must make sure to stick to your treatment plan until you’ve been cleared by your primary care physician. This means booking time off work if your doctor has instructed you to stay at home while your injuries heal, making sure to attend follow-ups, and taking any medication you’ve been prescribed.
Taking your recovery seriously won’t just ensure that you achieve maximum medical improvement as soon as possible but could also help you avoid disputes. If, for instance, you ignored your healthcare provider’s instructions, you could be held partially liable for any additional damages.
Don’t Post about the Accident Online
With your emotions running high, it’s only natural to want to turn to friends and family on social media for support. However, while they can provide comfort during this challenging chapter, anything you share on these online platforms could come back to haunt you.
In a bid to find any evidence that could be used to dispute your claim, the insurer may begin monitoring your online activity. As such, it’s almost always wise to deactivate your profiles for the duration of proceedings so that you’re not tempted to post.
Do Track Your Damages Carefully
To receive compensation in a personal injury case, you will have to provide proof of the losses you’ve incurred. Such evidence can include your medical bills, paystubs illustrating lost wages, receipts for replacement services, and estimates for your vehicle repairs. You should save copies of these important financial documents in a safe place where they will be ready to share with your attorney.
Don’t Provide a Recorded Statement
If the insurance company contacts you for a recorded statement, it’s often best to postpone this interview until you’ve had a chance to investigate the accident and take stock of your losses. Ultimately, anything you say during this conversation could be used as evidence to dispute your case, so you should expect the insurance adjuster to ask questions deliberately engineered to elicit compromising statements. When you hire an attorney to handle your case, they will usually step in to oversee all correspondence with other parties.
Discuss Your Case with a California Bus Accident Attorney
If you were hurt in a bus accident, you could benefit from meeting with a personal injury attorney. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we have decades of collective experience representing accident victims, arming us with the knowledge and expertise to provide reliable guidance and aggressive representation during all stages of proceedings. To lock in a free case review with a California bus accident attorney, call us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or send us a message using our contact form HERE.
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