Earlier this month, a multi-vehicle collision involving a Tesla, tractor-trailer truck, and a double-decker tour bus took place in Herald Square. According to WNBC 4 in New York, the crash was first reported at around 11:30 am on a Tuesday. The Tesla was reportedly part of Revel, a local rideshare company. The truck was part of UPS’s fleet, and the tour bus is believed to belong to TopView, a local tour bus company. In the aftermath of the wreck, which took place at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan, the Tesla was missing its roof and the driver’s side door and the truck landed in front of Old Navy in the heart of Herald Square.
At least, one person was taken to the hospital because of the crash. Revel confirmed it was looking into circumstances surrounding the incident. UPS announced it is cooperating with authorities. WNBC 4 has so far been unable to reach TopView but did report that the tour bus company’s phone lines had been disconnected.
What to Do After a Tour Bus Accident
The immediate aftermath of a traffic accident is often chaotic. People are injured, vehicles are damaged, and you’re more than likely camped out in the middle of the accident scene rendering aid or seeking medical attention for yourself or others.
In the case of bus accidents, especially the one mentioned in the story above, the events following the wreck are even more chaotic than the aftermath of a wreck involving passenger vehicles. The accident scene will likely be full of people, including the bus driver, bus passengers, and the drivers and passengers from any other vehicles that were a part of the collision. Police and medical personnel will also be present at the scene, as well as representatives from the tour bus company and/or their insurance provider. It can be overwhelming whether you were severely injured in the crash or not.
The following are a few tips to help you deal with the aftermath of a tour bus accident:
- Call 911 – If you can do so, call 911 as soon as possible. The sooner you contact them, the sooner they can dispatch emergency personnel to the accident scene to help you and anyone else involved in the wreck.
- Seek Medical Attention – If you or anyone else is injured, seek immediate medical attention. Generally, your call to 911 should take care of that. Medical personnel will arrive at the scene shortly to render aid. However, before they arrive, the 911 operator may have to talk you through rendering aid to victims who are seriously injured until emergency personnel arrive to take over.
- Take Pictures – If you have a smartphone, or a camera, take photos of the accident scene, vehicles, and your injuries.
- Gather Contact Information – If possible, collect the contact information of the bus driver, drivers of the other vehicles, passengers from the bus and other vehicles, and anyone who witnessed the crash.
- Only Speak with the Police – You may have to give a statement to the police about the accident. If possible, find out where you can get a copy of the police report at that time. Aside from the police, do not discuss details of the crash with anyone else, especially any representatives from the tour bus company or their insurance provider. Before you talk to anyone other than the police about the wreck, meet with an experienced bus accident attorney and discover what options are available to you.
Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Bus Accident Attorney
At Belushin Law Firm, P.C., we have seen how much individuals and families can struggle following a devastating traffic accident involving a large vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer truck or bus. That’s why for over 20 years we have been dedicated to helping injury victims and their families hold those responsible for their pain and suffering accountable, including helping victims and their families secure compensation for current and future medical costs, loss of income, and living expenses. As our case results prove, our experienced personal injury lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for clients since 2002.
To discuss your situation with our experienced bus accident lawyers, give us a call at (888) 918-9890 or contact us online to schedule a complimentary consultation. We have offices in Brooklyn and New York City.