What To Do If You Are In A Bus Accident?

The startling effect of a bus collision might cause instant uncertainty and panic. Whether you’re a passenger, another driver, a pedestrian, or a cyclist, knowing what to do if you are in a bus accident is vital.

It guards your health, gathers essential documentation, and prepares any bus accident claim. Including for a bus passenger accident claim, this guide addresses immediate safety, medical actions, evidence collecting, and seeking the bus accident compensation and bus injury compensation you are due.

Don’t confront this by yourself. DeHoyos Accident Attorneys is here to assist you in obtaining the support you need and justice.

What to Do If You Are in a Bus Accident? Your Guide to Safety and Legal Protection with DeHoyos Accident Attorneys

A bus accident can be overwhelming. 

Whether you’re a passenger, another driver wondering “what happens if a bus hits your car,” a pedestrian, or a bicyclist, knowing the correct actions is vital. 

1. Stay Calm and Ensure Safety

Immediately after the collision, assess yourself and others for injuries. If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic to prevent further harm. Remaining calm will help you think clearly.

2. Call Emergency Services

Dial 911 to report the crash and request police and medical assistance. Even if injuries seem minor, some conditions—like internal bleeding or traumatic brain injuries—may not appear right away.

3. Seek Medical Attention

Get evaluated at the scene or a nearby hospital. Early medical documentation of injuries like whiplash, fractures, or soft-tissue damage is crucial for any bus injury claim. Keep all medical records, including ER reports, imaging results, prescriptions, and therapy notes.

4. Document the Scene

Photograph vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, and roadway conditions. If your car was struck, capture the bus’s identifying numbers and license plate.

5. Report the Accident and Obtain the Police Report

Ensure that the responding police officers file an official crash report. Obtain a copy of this report, as it contains essential information such as the date, time, weather conditions, and the officer’s initial observations, all of which are critical for bus accident claims.

6. Notify the Bus Company or Transit Authority

Whether it’s a public transit bus, a school bus, or a private shuttle, it’s essential to inform the operator’s supervisor or safety office about the incident. Request a copy of their internal incident report and inquire about any available CCTV footage from the bus or surrounding areas.

7. Preserve Evidence and Follow Medical Advice

Keep all correspondence, bills, and photographs organized. Adhere strictly to your doctor’s orders—missed appointments or self‑discharge can be used against you in bus injury claims.

8. Consult an Experienced Houston Personal Injury Attorney

An attorney specializing in bus accident claim work, like the team at DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, can identify all potentially liable parties and navigate complex insurance negotiations on your behalf. Early legal involvement can significantly maximize your potential bus accident and injury compensation.

Who May Be Liable for Your Bus Injury Claim?

Finding who is liable for your injuries following a bus accident can be more difficult than first seems.

Liability sometimes goes beyond the bus driver, hence a careful inquiry is essential to find all possibly at- fault individuals. Pursuing the full bus injury compensation you are due depends on an understanding of these companies..

Bus Driver: 

The bus driver is the most likely immediate accountable party. Should their carelessness directly lead to the crash—texting, eating, distracted driving, tired driving, speeding, breaking traffic rules, or driving under the influence—they can be held responsible.

Bus Company or Transit Authority:

 Another accountable entity is the one running and owning the bus. This covers the public transport authority and private bus businesses. 

Their obligations could result from poor employment policies (not doing enough background checks), poor driver training, the absence of necessary bus maintenance resulting in mechanical problems, or other factors.

Vehicle Manufacturer:

Occasionally the manufacturer of the vehicle itself could be accountable. The manufacturer can be held liable if the bus had a faulty design or if manufacturing mistakes involving important parts like the brakes or steering system led to the disaster.

Third‑Party Motorist: 

 Bus collisions can also include other cars. Third-party drivers and insurance companies can be held liable if another motorist behaved carelessly and collided with the bus, starting a series of events resulting in your injuries. This frequently results from complicated multi-vehicle collisions.

Government Entity: 

A government entity may be accountable in some cases. This could be the case if the collision results from defective traffic signal failures or from unsafe road conditions that the government neglected (e.g., potholes, poor signage).

Ensuring you may pursue complete recovery of your damages—including medical expenses, lost earnings, and comprehensive bus injury compensation— depends on first knowing all possible offenders.

DeHoyos Accident Attorneys conducts thorough investigations to uncover all liable parties and build the strongest case for you.

Types of Bus Accident Compensation Available

If you have injuries in a bus accident, the law lets you pursue several kinds of reimbursement to cover the damages suffered. These damages are meant to help you to be as whole as feasible following such a catastrophic event.

Medical Expenses: 

Emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation.

Lost Income: 

Wages lost during recovery and diminished future earning capacity.

Pain & Suffering: 

Physical pain, emotional distress, PTSD.

Property Damage: 

Repair or replacement of your vehicle and personal items.

Loss of Consortium: 

Compensation to family members for loss of companionship.

The sudden trauma of a bus accident can leave you hurting and uncertain. At DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, we see your pain and are here to help. We’ll fight for everything you’ve lost – from medical bills and lost income to the invisible wounds of pain and suffering. 

Don’t face this battle alone. Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us pursue the full bus accident and bus injury compensation you need to heal and move forward.

Common Scenarios & What Happens Next

What Happens If a Bus Gets in an Accident?

Buses often trigger federal investigations by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) when carrying passengers across state lines. Crash data—such as reported 119,000 large truck and bus injury crashes in 2021—can support your case by demonstrating industry patterns of negligence.

Bus vs. Car Collisions

If your vehicle was struck by a bus, liability typically lies with the bus driver, but shared fault may arise if your brake lights were out or you reversed into traffic. Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, reducing your recovery by your percentage of fault.

Bus Passenger Claims

As a passenger, you qualify for a bus passenger accident claim against the operator and any negligent third parties. Government‑run buses may require a special notice of claim under Texas’s Tort Claims Act, with shorter filing deadlines.

What Happens If a Bus Hits Your Car?

A collision between a bus and a passenger vehicle can cause significant damage and injuries based on the weight and size disparity. If a bus collides with your Houston vehicle, your safety and any possible legal claims depend critically on the actions you take right away.  

Give safety top attention. 

Look for injuries among your passengers and yourself. To stop more mishaps, if it is safe to do so, pull your car out of the flow. Call 911 to document the crash and, should someone be harmed, ask for medical aid. An essential piece of evidence, the police will also draft an official accident report.  

Like any other car collision, you should talk with the bus driver. 

Get their name, driver’s license number, bus firm name, bus number, and insurance details. If there are witnesses, also compile their phone numbers.  

Record the scene. 

Photographs documenting the damage to both vehicles, their post-impact positions, any skid marks or trash, and the state of the nearby roadways should be taken. Later reconstruction of the disaster can benefit much from these images.  

See a doctor right away.

Even if you do not feel particularly wounded at the moment, some injuries, including whiplash or internal bleeding, might not show signs straight away. A quick medical assessment will produce a vital record tying your injuries to the collision. Save copies of every treatment plan, bill, and medical report.  

Notify your insurance provider.

As soon as the incident occurs, you should also notify your insurance provider. Help them with their research, but before you meet with an attorney, be careful not to confess blame or offer specific comments.

At DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, it is especially advised to see an experienced Houston car accident lawyer, considering the complexity sometimes involved in accidents involving commercial vehicles such as buses. 

We can help you negotiate the claims procedure, grasp your rights, and make sure you get the whole and fair compensation you are due for your injuries, property damage, and other losses.

Expanded Steps for Houston Residents

Gather Witness Contact Information

Houston’s busy streets mean onlookers often capture crashes on phones. Obtain names and numbers of witnesses—and ask if they’ll preserve any video.

Check for Traffic-Camera or Surveillance Footage

METRO buses and many Houston intersections have cameras. Subpoenaing this footage can provide objective proof of vehicle speeds and fault.

Monitor Symptoms Over Time

Some injuries, like concussions or internal trauma, manifest days after the accident. Maintain a pain diary to document ongoing symptoms, enhancing your bus injury compensation claim.

File Claims Promptly

Texas law gives two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, but notice to government entities (METRO, school districts) may be required within 90 days. Don’t risk missing deadlines.

Because of the busy energy of Houston’s streets, important evidence of your bus accident may be found outside of the official report. 

Get the goodwill of witnesses and their contact details, and don’t be afraid to ask about any videos they may have taken. 

Be your own diligent record-keeper, documenting every pain and suffering to support your claim for bus injury compensation. Finally, pay attention to this pressing reality: time is an unforgiving enemy, particularly when dealing with Texas law and governmental organizations like METRO.

Don’t let precious time slip away. Contact DeHoyos Accident Attorneys today for a free consultation, and let us help you gather the evidence you need to build a powerful bus accident claim.

Contact the Houston Bus Accident Lawyers at DeHoyos Accident Attorneys for Help Today!

If you’re researching what to do in a bus accident, time is of the essence. Follow these steps to protect your health and legal rights, then seek professional guidance.

Contact DeHoyos Accident Attorneys today for a free consultation—our skilled team will fight for your bus accident compensation while you focus on recovery.

5 FAQs: What To Do If You Are In A Bus Accident?

Immediately after a bus accident, what is the most important thing to do? 

Your immediate safety and the safety of others are paramount. Check for injuries and, if possible, move to a safe location away from traffic to prevent further harm.

Should I still call 911 even if my injuries seem minor after a bus accident?

 Yes, absolutely. It’s crucial to call emergency services to report the crash and request both police and medical assistance. Some serious injuries, like internal bleeding or head trauma, may not present immediate symptoms.

What kind of information should I try to document at the scene of a bus accident?

 If you are able, document the scene thoroughly. This includes taking photos of the positions of all vehicles, any damage, skid marks, and road conditions. Also, try to get the bus’s identifying numbers and license plate.

Who might be held responsible for the injuries and damages I sustained in a bus accident? 

Liability can extend beyond just the bus driver. Potentially liable parties could include the bus company or transit authority, the vehicle manufacturer (if there was a defect), a third-party motorist, or even a government entity in certain circumstances.

What is the first step I should take to protect my legal rights after being involved in a bus accident in Houston? 

Consulting with an experienced Houston personal injury attorney who specializes in bus accident claims as soon as possible is highly recommended. Early legal involvement can help protect your rights and maximize your potential compensation.