What Steps Should Bus Drivers Take After a Work Injury?

The steps that bus drivers should take after a work injury include reporting the incident to the bus company, seeking medical attention, documenting everything, and consulting an attorney. That said, moving forward after a work injury can be a difficult process.

Hiring a skilled Atlanta work injury lawyer can help you get the workers’ compensation benefits you need to cover medical bills and get back on your feet after a bus accident.

A lawyer can explain what steps you should take after a bus driver’s work injury, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Let’s take a closer look at the actions you should take after you’ve suffered trauma when working for a bus company.

1. Report the Injury to Your Employer Immediately

One of the first steps bus drivers should take after a work injury is to report it to the employer. Georgia workers’ compensation laws set strict deadlines for notifying your employer about workplace injuries, advising that you do so within 30 days. Failure to report in time could jeopardize your workers’ compensation claim.

Give your employer written notice, including details like when, where, and how the accident happened. Making sure your employer has this documentation will protect your right to seek benefits by creating an official record of the incident.

Even if the trauma seems minor at first, symptoms can worsen over time, so don’t wait to take action. Once your employer has been informed, they should guide you on the next steps for filing a claim. An attorney can help you file a strong claim and offer more advice on the steps you should take after a work injury.

2. Seek Medical Attention from an Approved Provider

Another step you should take after a work injury as a bus driver is to seek medical attention. Getting proper medical care is essential, not just for your health, but for your workers’ compensation claim, too. Georgia law requires injured workers to visit a doctor approved by their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance, which is usually selected from a panel of physicians.

Your employer should provide a list of authorized healthcare providers for you to choose from. That said, if you need immediate emergency care, you should go to whichever hospital is closest to you.

Be thorough when describing your symptoms to the doctor to ensure everything is properly documented, as this can add to your evidence later down the line. Follow the doctor’s treatment plan closely and attend all follow-up appointments, since missing visits could hurt your bus accident claim.

3. Document Everything Related to Your Injury

Keeping detailed records of the bus accident and your workplace injury is another step you should take after the incident. Start by writing down exactly how the bus accident happened, including the date, time, location, and circumstances. Take photos of any visible harm and the scene of the incident if possible, and find out if there were any nearby surveillance cameras in the vicinity that might provide footage of the bus accident.

Keep copies of all medical records, bills, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses related to your treatment. You should also track missed workdays and any lost income as part of documenting your economic damages. If there were witnesses to the accident, get their contact information, as witness testimony could support your case later.

Try to be as organized as possible. This will aid in your workers’ compensation claim and helps your attorney fight for maximum benefits. Without proper evidence, it becomes easier for insurance companies to dispute or undervalue your claim. If you’re unsure what paperwork you’ll need, a skilled Atlanta work injury lawyer can help guide you through the process.

4. Consult an Experienced Georgia Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Filing a workers’ compensation claim can be overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with damages and medical treatment. That’s why consulting with an experienced Georgia workers’ compensation attorney is a smart step for injured bus drivers.

An accident lawyer ensures your rights are protected, helps you avoid common mistakes, and fights for the benefits you deserve. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by downplaying trauma or delaying claims, but an attorney can push back on these tactics.

A lawyer can also help if your insurance claim is denied or if you’re pressured to return to work before you’ve fully recovered. With legal representation, you’ll have someone negotiating on your behalf and gathering the evidence needed to strengthen your case, including witness statements, police reports, and surveillance footage. 

What Causes Workplace Trauma for Bus Drivers?

Working for a bus company means you’re faced with a range of hazards that can lead to various types of personal injuries. Bus accidents are one of the main causes of workplace trauma that result in a compensation claim. Collisions with other vehicles can cause some serious harm for multiple people, often leading to ongoing treatment and medical expenses.

Motor vehicle accidents like this are often caused by driver fatigue or distraction, speeding, mechanical failure, poor road conditions, bad weather, company negligence, or a combination of factors. Depending on the details of the accident and the evidence available, liability may fall on another driver, a third party, or the bus company itself, which could allow you to file for a personal injury claim as well as a workers’ compensation claim.

While accidents can happen, there are several other reasons bus driver’s might suffer workplace trauma. Repetitive motion injuries are common in this type of career, due to long hours on the road, and there’s also the potential for slips, trips, and falls when entering and exiting the vehicle.

Common Workplace Injuries Covered By Workers’ Compensation

Bus drivers in Georgia may be eligible for workers’ compensation claims for a range of work-related trauma. However, every claim is different and will depend on the specific circumstances of your bus accident.

Some of the most common workplace damages include:

• Sprains and repetitive motion injuries caused by driving
• Back, spinal or neck injuries
• Head or brain injuries, caused by more serious bus accidents
• Herniated discs from improper lifting
• Loss of limbs or permanent disability
• Ongoing medical care and rehabilitation after a workplace injury

If you’ve suffered any of these listed damages, you may be able to submit an insurance claim. This will help to cover medical expenses and lost income, as well as any other economic damages or non-economic damages incurred due to the accident.

Benefits You Could Receive After a Work Accident

If you follow the recommended steps that bus drivers should take after a workplace injury, you’ll likely receive the benefits you need for treatment, lost wages, and getting back to work. Depending on the details of your bus accident, you may receive any of the following benefits from an insurance claim:

• Medical care benefits
• Temporary total disability (TTD)
• Temporary partial disability (TPD)
• Permanent partial disability (PPD)
• Permanent total disability (PTD)
• Wrongful death benefits, if your loved one passed away due to a workplace injury

These benefits are designed to provide you with the support you need to recover or to help with ongoing medical care for more permanent injuries. They cover a wide range of damages, however they may not all apply to your bus accident or insurance claim.

What Happens If Your Workers’ Compensation is Denied?

If your workers’ compensation is denied, there are several things you can do. You can:

• Submit an appeal to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation.
• Request a hearing in front of a judge to challenge the decision.
• Hire an accident attorney to support your claim and represent you through the appeal process.

Some of the most common reasons for rejection include legal disputes, mistakes with your paperwork, missing documentation, or a lack of evidence. These types of insurance claims are also subject to strict deadlines and Georgia’s statute of limitations, so any delays could impact approval. That’s why you should always seek the support of a work injury lawyer.

Learn More About the Steps Bus Drivers Should Take After a Work Injury

Dealing with a painful and debilitating workplace trauma can be an incredibly difficult process. Fortunately, the team at John Foy & Associates can offer effective advice throughout the claims process and fight for the benefits you need to get your life back on track.

We have won over $1 billion in compensation for personal injury victims like yourself. You can count on us to pursue maximum compensation for your trauma and losses.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Georgia personal injury lawyer and learn more about how to avoid common mistakes after a work injury. We look forward to hearing from you soon.