Millions of Californians rely on the state’s expansive bus networks to get from A to B. While most trips make it to their destinations without disaster, there are some commutes that result in catastrophic consequences for the passengers. If you were injured in a traffic wreck, turn to the El Monte bus accident attorneys at HPIL to discuss your options. 

Bus companies often have significant resources at their disposal, giving them the means to dispute your claim at every turn. Hiring a skilled personal injury lawyer can help level the playing field. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS to request a free consultation today.  

Can I Use Social Media After a Bus Accident? 

After a serious bus wreck, the relevant insurance companies may start monitoring your social media feeds. Their goal is to find any posts that could be used as evidence to challenge your credibility, which can include anything from your comments and reviews to pictures you uploaded to these sites. 

With this in mind, it’s important to think carefully about what you post in the aftermath of the accident. In most situations, it’s best to deactivate your profiles for the duration of proceedings. However, if this isn’t possible for you, here are a few ways you can protect your claim next time you go online: 

• Screen New Connection Requests Carefully: If you’ve set your accounts to “private”, opposing parties may attempt to send you a friend or follow request so that they can view posts on your pages. As such, it’s important to screen each request before approving these invitations as, if you accept them, you could open the door to disputes.  

• Ramp Up Your Privacy Settings: If your account is public, anyone—including the insurer—will be able to view what you’ve posted. Fortunately, most social media sites give you the option to tighten up your privacy settings to control who can and can’t interact with your pages. You should limit access to only approved friends and followers as this will—for the most part— prevent opposing parties from monitoring your feeds. 

• Never “Check-In”: When you “check-in” at a new location, these broadcasts let your friends and family know exactly where you are. As such, if the insurance company is monitoring your activity, “checking in” will make it all too easy for them to keep tabs on your activity. Unfortunately, the insurer doesn’t expect you to leave your home for any other reason than attending follow-ups, undergoing treatments, or taking part in physical therapy sessions. “Check-ins” that show you going to the bar, park, or any other location could lead to disputes. For instance, if your “check-ins” show you visiting the gym even though your doctor has instructed you to avoid physical activity until you’ve recovered, opposing parties could use this information to dispute liability and damages. 

What Should I Bring to My First Meeting with a Bus Accident Lawyer? 

If you’re preparing to file a personal injury claim after a serious bus wreck, a skilled personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the challenging weeks ahead. During your first consultation with a lawyer, he or she can answer your questions, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your case, and explain how your claim might unfold.  

However, this one-on-one meeting is also a chance for your attorney to assess the evidence you’ve gathered so far, so it might be in your best interests to prepare some items to share during the consultation. Let’s look at a few different types of evidence you might want to bring along: 

• A Written Account of the Accident: As soon as you can after the wreck, you should take some time to write down everything you can remember about this traumatic event. What were you doing in the moments before the bus wreck? Were there any other passengers onboard? What did the bus driver and/or the other bus company’s staff say immediately after the collision? Did police investigate the accident? Did you see any surveillance cameras near the accident scene? The answers to these questions could help your attorney plan their investigation and identify the evidence you might need to prove liability and damages. 

• Photographs of the Accident Scene: If you were able to take pictures of the wreckage, your injuries, or other aspects of the accident scene, your attorney and/or an accident reconstruction expert may be able to use these images to determine what happened and who is liable.  

• Official Accident Report: If police investigated the accident, they should’ve compiled an official report documenting the time, date, and location of the accident. They may also include their own observations on what happened. For instance, if the officer noticed the at-fault driver was fatigued, he or she may have written down this information in the official report. 

• Correspondence with Opposing Parties: Whether you emailed the insurer or texted the bus company, you should save copies of any and all correspondence to share with your attorney. It’s possible you may have said something that could lead to disputes, so your lawyer will need time to gather the necessary evidence to overcome such challenges if or when they arise. 

Speak to a Bus Accident Attorney in El Monte Today 

Were you injured while using public transport? The legal team at HPIL may be able to help you fight for a fair settlement. With decades of combined experience representing injury victims throughout California, we have the experience and resources needed to succeed in even the most complicated cases. Reach out to us at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or head over to our contact page HERE to request a free case assessment.