What to Do After a Bus Accident in Michigan

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry L. Cochran

If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, your first priority is your health, but it’s also important to understand your rights early on. Bus crash injuris can be serious, and the steps you take from the start can affect your ability to get compensation later.

Michigan law provides specific protections and deadlines, so you need to know what to do after a bus accident to protect your claim and avoid unnecessary setbacks.

Why Bus Accidents Require Immediate Action

Bus accidents are more complex than regular car crashes; you may be dealing with a commercial carrier, a government agency, or a contracted operator, and each has its own insurance requirements, liability rules, and procedures for reporting. Michigan commercial bus operators have to follow federal safety regulations, and if they violate those rules in any way, it can be really important to your claim.

An accident lawyer will access that information as soon as possible because evidence doesn’t last long. Once the scene’s cleaned up and video footage gets overwritten, it’s harder to make a case. Not to mention, it’s harder to get a hold of witnesses and for them to remember the details clearly.

7 Critical Steps to Take Right After a Bus Crash

Prioritize medical help

Get checked out right away, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks pain, and you might not feel internal injuries, concussions, and soft tissue damage at first. Plus, you’ll need medical records linking your injuries to the accident to make a case.

Report the accident to the authorities

Call 911 and request an officer, because that police report is the official record of what happened, who was involved, and if any citation was issued. Make sure the local police take down the bus company’s name, driver information, and the bus number, if it’s visible.

Gather evidence and witness info

If you can, use your phone to get pictures of the bus, vehicle damage, road conditions, visible injuries, and anything else you think might be relevant. Make sure you capture the company’s name and license plate, and try to get the DOT number, too. Plus, you should get contact info from any other passengers or bystanders.

Don’t speak to insurance without legal guidance

The bus company’s insurer will probably reach out within 24 hours, and their main goal is to pay you as little as possible, so they’ll try to take anything you say to reduce your compensation or even deny your claim.

Politely decline to give a recorded statement until you speak with a Michigan bus accident attorney. To be on the safe side, it’s better to let your lawyer handle those conversations.

Keep all medical records and expenses

Save every bill, receipt, prescription, and document that has to do with your treatment. Track mileage to doctor visits, too, and missed workdays and out-of-pocket expenses. All this helps prove your economic damages and gives you a stronger claim.

Monitor your symptoms over time

Some injuries get worse with time, like whiplash, which can cause chronic neck pain. Traumatic brain injuries can lead to memory loss, mood changes, persistent headaches, etc.

Follow your doctor’s treatment plan to a tee. Skipping physical therapy or ignoring follow-up appointments only gives insurance companies reason to argue you’re not really hurt.

Contact a bus accident attorney in Michigan

Legal representation levels the playing field. Bus accident lawyers know how to investigate crashes, identify all liable parties, and demand full compensation.

Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. has represented countless clients injured in vehicle accidents across Michigan. We know the tactics insurers use, and we don’t back down.

Why Legal Representation Is Crucial in Bus Accident Cases

Bus accidents in Michigan aren’t straightforward, since liability can fall on the driver, the bus company, a parts manufacturer, or even a government agency. Figuring out who’s to blame takes investigation and legal knowledge most people don’t have.

Plus, Michigan has a fault insurance system that makes things more complex. You’ve got to file a claim with your own auto insurer for medical bills and lost wages, no matter whose fault the crash was. But if your injuries meet Michigan’s serious impairment threshold, you can sue the at-fault party for additional damages.

A bus accident lawyer near me can help you navigate both systems. Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. makes sure insurance companies pay what they owe you.

When Can You File a Claim After a Bus Crash?

Deadlines depend on who operates the bus, so school buses, public transit, charter companies, and private contractors all have different rules, but a good lawyer knows each procedure and meets deadlines on time.

Don’t wait until the last minute, because it takes time to collect evidence and medical evals, not to mention settlement negotiations. The sooner you start, the better.

Get Help from Michigan’s Trusted Bus Accident Attorneys

Bus crash injuries can turn lives upside down, then medical bills pile up fast, and lost wages take a toll on your budget. Plus, you might be living in pain or dealing with complex medical issues. You don’t just deserve compensation, you need it, so knowing what to do after a bus accident is crucial.

Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. has decades of experience fighting for people who’ve gotten hurt because of someone else’s negligence, and we know how to hold negligent bus companies accountable. We won’t settle for less than you deserve, and our contingency fee basis means you pay nothing unless we win your case.

If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, you need experienced and understanding attorneys. Contact us for a free consultation anytime, 24/7, to review your case and answer your questions.

Call us now at 1-866-MICH-LAW to schedule your free case evaluation.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.