For many residents, taking the bus is an everyday part of life. While most trips make it safely from start to finish, there are some that end in catastrophic accidents with devastating consequences for the passengers. If you were injured while making use of public transport, turn to our Echo Park bus accident attorneys for guidance, advice, and representation. 

You may be able to recover compensation for your injuries and other losses by filing a personal injury claim against the driver, his or her employer, and their respective insurers. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS to find out more.  

What Should I Bring to My Free Case Review? 

Sitting down to discuss your case with a skilled personal injury lawyer can give you invaluable insight into the strengths and weaknesses of your case. It’s also a chance for an attorney to review the evidence you’ve gathered and discuss how he or she may proceed with their investigation into the accident and building your case. 

With that in mind, let’s look at a few items you should share with your attorney during the initial consultation: 

• Photographs of Your Injuries: If you were able to take pictures of your injuries at the accident scene, these images could help prove the severity of your condition and help tie your injuries to the wreck. Additionally, if you were able to snap photos of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, road markings, street signs, and other elements that could help your attorney identify the liable parties, you should bring these photos to your initial consultation. 

• Eyewitness Contact Details: As there were probably other passengers onboard the bus, it’s incredibly likely that you will have multiple witnesses to help corroborate your version of events. As such, you should make sure to take down their contact details to share with your attorney. Your lawyer may want to contact these eyewitnesses to determine whether their account could help support your personal injury claim. 

• A Written Account of What Happened: Memories can fade quickly, leading you to forget important details about the day of the accident. As such, you should write down your version of events as soon as possible after the wreck for later reference. Your attorney may want to see this account to help map out their investigation and identify crucial evidence that could help you prove liability and damages.  

• Medical Records: Up-to-date medical records will likely play a crucial role in demonstrating damages such as your treatment costs, lost income, and intangible losses. If you have not yet obtained copies of these records, your attorney can do so on your behalf.  

What Mistakes Should I Avoid after an Accident?  

The outcome of a bus wreck claim can hinge on dozens of different factors, many—if not most—that are out of your hands. However, you do have control over one important task: Avoiding mistakes that might otherwise cost you a fair settlement.  

Let’s take a look at a few common errors you should avoid until your case has been resolved:  

• Posting about Your Injuries on Social Media: Claims adjusters are always on the prowl for reasons to devalue or even deny your claim. As such, they may even take to social media to find evidence that could be used to challenge your credibility. If, for instance, you published a post venting your frustrations about the bus company, your comments could be misrepresented to dispute liability. Ultimately, it’s best to avoid using social media altogether while your claim is pending. Our attorneys may even suggest that you deactivate your profiles for the duration of proceedings. 

• Deviating from Your Treatment Plan: As a personal injury claimant, you are expected to take reasonable measures to mitigate your damages. An important part of that responsibility is seeking medical treatment within an acceptable time frame after the wreck. However, once you’ve received a diagnosis, your work isn’t done; you will also need to follow your treatment plan closely to avoid aggravating your injuries. If the insurer discovers that you deviated from your doctor’s orders, you could face disputes over failure to mitigate damages. 

• Providing a Recorded Statement: Fairly soon after the accident, the insurer may ask you to provide a statement. However, if you say anything that turns out to be inaccurate or false, this will give the claims adjuster ammunition to challenge your credibility. At HPIL, our attorneys can oversee all correspondence with the insurer so you don’t have to worry about saying something that might hurt your case. 

Discuss Your Claim with a Bus Accident Attorney in Echo Park 

Did your last bus trip end in disaster? Turn to the attorneys at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers for advice. As part of your free consultation, we will answer your questions, assess the strengths and weaknesses of your case, and explain how we might proceed with your claim. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS or switch over to our Online Contact Page to request a case review.