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Many Californians rely on the state's expansive bus networks to get from A to B. While these carriers are one of the safest ways to travel, they aren't immune to accidents.  

If you were hurt in a collision involving a bus, it's important to take a moment to think about your next steps carefully. Even minor errors could lead to disputes over liability and damages, with more serious mistakes potentially leaving you unable to seek compensation at all. 

In this article, we look at a few missteps you should always avoid when you file a personal injury claim: 

You Didn’t Visit the Doctor 

Scheduling a doctor's appointment immediately after a wreck is one of the best decisions you can make for both your health and the success of your personal injury case. Undergoing a medical assessment will ensure that any underlying conditions are diagnosed and treated.  

Additionally, your healthcare providers will usually create detailed medical records documenting your injuries and treatments. Such records can help connect your condition to the bus wreck, demonstrate the severity of your injuries, and show the medical expenses you've incurred as a direct result of the collision. 

You Failed to Gather Evidence 

A convincing claim requires strong evidence, so it's crucial that you make use of every available opportunity to start amassing the eventual building blocks for your case. For instance, you should take pictures of the accident scene making sure to capture images of the vehicles involved, road markings, street signs, and other elements that could help your attorney piece together what happened. It may also help to take down the names and contact details of eyewitnesses; obtain copies of any surveillance camera or dashcam recordings; and write a firsthand account of what happened on that fateful day while your memories are still fresh. 

You Posted about the Wreck on Social Media 

After a bus accident, it's tempting to hop on social media and share the grisly details of this terrifying ordeal. While venting your frustrations might provide some short-term relief, this digital tell-all could cause irreparable harm to your case.  

The insurer may be monitoring your profiles for any evidence that could be used to challenge your claim. Anything you post—including comments, pictures, reviews, and check-ins—could become ammunition in the hands of the claims adjuster, so it's important to limit your activity on social media. Most attorneys will advise you to deactivate your accounts for the duration of proceedings. 

You Deviated from Your Treatment Plan 

Once you've received a diagnosis, you will need to make sure that you follow your doctor's orders closely as any signs that you went against their instructions could hurt your case. For instance, the insurer might argue that you failed in your duty to mitigate damages as your negligence might've aggravated your injuries leading to additional costs. As such, even if you believe your healthcare providers are being overly cautious, you should never ignore their instructions. 

Speak to a Bus Accident Attorney in California Today 

With your financial future on the line, it's important to avoid doing anything that might negatively affect the outcome of your personal injury case. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, we can help guide you through proceedings, advising you of the common mistakes, errors, and missteps you should avoid.  

While our primary goal is to help you obtain a financial award, we will also work to ensure that proceedings are as stress-free and straightforward as possible for you and your family. Call us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or head to our contact page HERE to request a free case evaluation with a California bus accident attorney.