When you experience a car accident in your own vehicle, there is a lot for you to worry about. You need to deal with the damage to your property, check in with the doctor for physical injury and wrangle with your insurance about coverage. There is a silver lining to much of this: these hurdles often revolve around your own policies. Bus accidents frequently involve multiple moving pieces and complications.
As the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports, fatal bus accidents declined from 236 to 156 between 2019 and 2020. While this is encouraging, it is still important to understand the nuances of a public transit accident.
Do not panic
While the aftermath of an accident may be a hectic environment, it is important to remain calm. If the driver of the bus is conscious, they may have work training and guidance to help direct passengers off the vehicle safely. If you have no instruction, exit the vehicle in a cautious manner and get to safety.
Once safe, contact emergency services to assist.
Contact your resources
You do not need to speak with the police as they gather evidence for their accident report, though they may ask you for your license, insurance and registration. Once released from the scene, it is important to seek out a medical consultation, as some injuries after an accident are not immediately evident.
In the aftermath, there is a lot to parse through. This may feel especially overwhelming if you have severe and costly injuries to recover from. There are resources available to help you learn more about how to navigate the complicated aspects of a public transit accident.