Public transit may be an important service, but that doesn’t give them immunity from responsibility when they cause crashes. Like with any other buses or cars, the drivers – and perhaps Capital Metro itself – can be held liable for crashes. Taking the right steps after your crash can help put you on the right path to a successful case.
First, report the accident and get medical attention. Then, focus on securing evidence at the scene, if you are able to stay there. Then, call a lawyer. We can help you deal with any insurance companies, CapMetro representatives, and the courts to hold the responsible parties liable for your damages.
Call Cap City Injury Attorneys at (512) 612-3110 for a free case review with our Austin car accident lawyers right away.
Calling 911 After a CapMetro Bus Crash
Whether you were in the bus, were driving in another car, or were hit while on foot, on a bike, or on a scooter, your first move after a crash with a Capital Metro bus is to call 911.
Any car accident involving injuries must be reported to the police. They should send an officer out to secure the scene, issue any citations necessary, and write a report of the accident. If the bus driver or any other driver was drunk or violating the law, the police should take care of citing or arresting them.
You should also request an ambulance. If you were hurt in the accident, you may need immediate medical care, and the EMTs can determine what you need. If they recommend you go to the hospital, go with them and get the care you need right away.
Bus accidents can also injure other people in the bus, so make sure to let them know a bus was involved; they may want to send multiple ambulances.
Getting Medical Care After a Bus Accident
If you just need to be treated by the EMTs at the scene, your injuries might not be too bad. Mild or moderate injuries might not stop you from suing or anything like that, but it might give you time to stay at the scene and collect evidence. However, if you need to go straight to the hospital, do so.
Getting medical care after an accident is vital for a few reasons:
- It helps treat the injuries so you can get better.
- They can catch any underlying injuries that might not be obvious, like broken bones masked by adrenaline or internal bleeding.
- Getting immediate treatment creates medical records of your treatment and links the injuries to the crash.
- Prompt care prevents your injuries from getting worse; waiting could lower your payout.
Gathering Evidence at the Crash Scene
After a crash, you should gather as much evidence as you can. However, your priority should be your safety. If you cannot stay at the scene and have to be evacuated to a medical facility, go there first. We can gather evidence later from the police report and the police officers.
If you are able to stay, get as much of the following information:
- The names and contact info of all drivers
- The names and contact info of all witnesses, including any bus passengers
- The bus driver’s insurance info, employment info, and commercial driver’s license info
- Any contact info the driver has for their supervisors or superiors at Capital Metro
- The bus number and license plate number
- The make, model, license plate number, and description of any other cars involved in the crash
- The location of the accident, including cross-streets or mile-markers
- The time of the collision
- Notes about weather, lighting, traffic signs/signals, and road conditions.
Also look around and see if you can spot any security cameras in the area or dash cams on nearby cars. Buses typically have security cameras, but other outside footage of the crash can help prove what happened.
When Should I Call a Lawyer?
Do not talk to representatives from the bus company or insurance company; call our Austin personal injury lawyers first. We can guide you through the information the bus company and their insurance will want to know and advise you how to answer any questions they have.
We can also be the ones to talk to insurance for you. Once you are represented, they have to go through us, and we can demand to be present or on the line for any recorded statements they demand. Our negotiations may also help you get a better settlement.
Insurance companies tend to offer low-ball settlement offers and do not want to pay full damages after a crash. If you accept their initial offer, your case is over, so do not sign anything or accept money before you speak with us.
Will CapMetro’s Insurance Pay for My Injuries?
All drivers are required to carry insurance, and Capital Metro typically has higher insurance for its buses. They know that there are many people on board, and bus crashes could injure multiple people. They also know that getting hit by a bus can cause severe injuries, and they need the insurance to cover that possibility.
However, getting full compensation is often an uphill battle. Insurance might not want to pay even if Capital Metro is willing to settle, and our lawyers might have to deal with multiple parties to get your damages.
Can You Sue CapMetro?
If they refuse to pay up, we can take them to court. There are additional rules for suing government agencies like CapMetro, but our lawyers can help you through any of the additional notice requirements.
Notice must typically be filed within 6 months, which is sooner than the 2-year statute of limitations for lawsuits. That means you should get in touch with our attorneys as soon as you can to avoid any delays or issues that might cause you to miss this shortened deadline.
Plus, we can start collecting evidence and building your case right away.
Call Our Capital Metro Bus Accident Attorneys in Austin Today
For a free case review, call our Texas car accident lawyers directly at Cap City Injury Attorneys at (512) 612-3110.