What to do After a School Bus Accident Has Injured Your Child (PDF)
Do you struggle to afford the medical care your child needs, pay for the costs of his or her healthcare, or keep the lights on while you miss work to care for your child in Georgia after a school bus accident? If so, don’t give up. You could be entitled to substantial compensation from a school bus accident injury claim.
If your child is injured in a school bus accident, here are the steps to take
No parent ever puts their child on a school bus thinking that they may not get home safely later that day. Even so, school bus accidents still happen, and when they do, parents feel shaken and unsure of what to do. As a parent, you can take simple steps to protect your child’s interests and build a strong foundation for a school bus accident injury claim:
Seek medical attention
It is important to seek medical attention for your child, no matter how they may seem or what they may say. Even if there are no visible signs of injury after a traumatic experience such as a school bus accident, the initial shock can mask symptoms of underlying problems. To ensure your child gets professional care and treatment, take them to their pediatrician for an examination. In addition, any injuries will be properly documented in official medical records.
Heed your pediatrician’s guidance
To ensure your child has the best chance of recovery, you should stick to any prescribed treatment plan from your pediatrician. Showing that you take your child’s healing seriously is important for insurance adjusters, and failing to do so could be used as a reason to deny coverage.
Gather all the evidence you can
Gather all the evidence you can by taking pictures of the crash site before it is cleared away. This includes vehicle damage, positioning of the vehicles, and skid marks on the road. If adults witnessed the crash, politely request they provide witness statements and contact details. Document what your child remembers about how it happened while their memory is still fresh. Hang onto any physical evidence like torn clothing or personal property damaged in the crash.
Organize important documents
Be sure to retain any papers related to the school bus crash. This could comprise your child’s medical files that demonstrate their injuries, medical costs like hospital or doctor bills, and evidence of lost wages from taking time off from work during treatment.
Be careful what you say to the insurance company
Be mindful when speaking with insurance representatives, even if they seem friendly. Before divulging any information, keep in mind that what you say to them can become part of your claim, so it’s important to be careful and stick to the facts. Avoid providing too much detail or elaboration, don’t guess the answer to a question or suggest that your family member is not significantly affected by the incident. This could negatively impact your settlement.
Be careful what you share, post, or say online
Think twice before posting online after a life event like a school bus accident – it’s easy for insurance companies to get ahold of seemingly “private” content, and use it to try and devalue your claim. If your child has an online presence, advise them to be mindful of what they say publicly while the injury claim is ongoing.
