Bus Crash Injuries
When a large commercial vehicle like a bus collides with a smaller vehicle, the consequences can be severe. For example, a VIA bus collided with a parked pickup truck on the 2400 block of Ruiz Street in San Antonio. A woman was in the pickup truck when it was hit by the bus. Then the bus pushed the pickup truck into three other parked vehicles. The woman had to be removed from the mangled pickup truck and transported to University Hospital with serious injuries, according to My San Antonio.
Unfortunately, serious accidents involving large buses and other commercial vehicles are quite common. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were approximately 4,311 fatal accidents involving large trucks and buses. That represents an eight percent increase in deadly accidents when compared to 2014. If that was not bad enough, the number of fatal wrecks involving large trucks and buses has jumped by 26 percent since in 2009.
Steps to Take After an Accident
If you were involved in an accident with a bus, there are some important steps you should take, if you are physically able. The first thing is to contact the police. Why? Because police officers conduct investigations and file police reports. These reports can be used as evidence in your potential personal injury claim.
In addition to calling the police, you should take photos of the accident scene, including your vehicle and any visible injuries you and any passengers suffered in the collision. You also need to get the name of the bus driver and the name of their employer.
You also need to get checked out by a medical professional, even if you do not think your injuries are that serious. Be sure to get testing done on your head, neck, shoulders, back, and spine. This is necessary because there are some injuries that do not become apparent until days after an accident. Be sure to keep track of all your medical expenses and doctor visits.
You then need to contact an experienced San Antonio personal injury attorney to discuss your legal options. In collisions involving commercial vehicles, it is possible to file a claim against both the negligent bus driver and their employer. This is due to a well-established tort principle known as respondeat superior. Basically, this is just a term meaning an employer is responsible for the negligent acts of an employee when those acts are committed within the scope of employment.
Contact an Experienced San Antonio Bus Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a family member was hurt in a collision with a bus, contact the experienced New Braunfels personal injury attorneys at the Bettersworth Law Firm. We are here to help you or your family. Contact our office today to a schedule a free, confidential, and comprehensive case review.
Source:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/VIA-bus-involved-in-five-car-accident-that-sends-11824739.php
