Steps to Take After a Transit Bus or State Vehicle Accident
What you do in the first hours after a crash can affect your health and the information available for a claim. Start with your safety. Once you are able, gather evidence from the scene, document what happened, and be careful who you speak to without representation.
Get to Safety
Check yourself and others for injuries. If you can move safely, get away from traffic and wait for emergency responders. If you’re on a bus, follow the driver’s directions and listen to the first responders about when and where to exit.
Call 911 and Request a Police Report
If it hasn’t been done already, call 911 so responders can help anyone who’s hurt and document the crash. Tell the officer if a CTTransit bus or state vehicle was involved, and ask how to obtain the police report. The report can help identify the vehicle and driver, though you may need additional records to establish who owned or operated it.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you felt well enough to leave the scene, get medical care. Pain and other symptoms can become noticeable later, particularly after a sudden impact or fall inside a bus. Tell your provider what happened and keep records of your visits, treatment, and expenses. Those records can help connect injuries that don’t always present symptoms right away, such as a traumatic brain injury or neck or back injury, back to your accident.
Document the Scene
If it’s safe to do so, photograph the vehicles, their identifying numbers, the surrounding road, and any visible injuries. Take a photo or write down the route number or vehicle plate, along with the time and location of the crash. Ask witnesses for their contact information and, if they’re willing, what they saw. These details can be difficult to track down later after everyone leaves.
Find Out Which Claim Process Applies
Contact a Connecticut bus accident attorney as soon as you can after the accident. Your attorney can identify who owned and operated the vehicle and which filing rules apply. Connecticut law allows certain lawsuits involving state-owned vehicles, but the Department of Transportation lists those claims separately from defective highway claims, which carry a 90-day notice requirement. Don’t assume that the same notice or lawsuit deadline applies to every CTTransit or state vehicle accident.
Do Not Speak to State Insurance Representatives Without an Attorney
A claims representative may contact you before it’s clear how the accident has affected you. Give accurate basic information, but don’t feel pressured to guess about the crash or give a recorded statement right away. Before accepting an offer, ask a Connecticut car accident attorney to review what it covers and whether it accounts for the care you’ll need.
How Do You File a Claim After a CTTransit Bus or State Vehicle Accident?
First, identify who owned and operated the vehicle so your claim reaches the appropriate party. The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) identifies separate procedures for state vehicle claims under § 52-556, defective highway claims, and other claims handled by the Office of the Claims Commissioner.
Keep a record of the details that will help support your claim:
- Your name, address, and phone number
- What happened, including the date, time, and cause
- The precise location and town
- Your injuries and any property damage
Under the rules of sovereign immunity, without providing notice, unless notice is specifically waived by statute. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, your claim might require that you have to provide notice to the Office of the Claims Commissioner. Your attorney can determine if there are notice requirements for your bus or state vehicle claim. Filing a notice does not start a lawsuit or replace the separate deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Contact Kennedy Johnson After a CTTransit Bus or State Vehicle Accident
When you’re hurt, you have an ally in us. Since 1988, Kennedy Johnson has represented injured clients throughout Connecticut and secured significant results on their behalf. Our attorneys can investigate who owned and operated the vehicle, identify any notice requirements, and pursue compensation that accounts for your injuries. Our clients choose us because we meticulously prepare cases and provide responsive and compassionate legal guidance.
Deadlines depend on the type of claim, so it’s best to reach out soon. We offer a free initial consultation and handle motor vehicle injury cases on a contingency fee basis. Call 203-865-8430 or contact us online to schedule your free appointment. You can tell us what happened and get legal guidance on next steps.
Connecticut State Vehicle and CTTransit Bus Accident Claims FAQs
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault in an Accident With a State Vehicle?
Under Connecticut’s comparative negligence law, you can still recover compensation if your share of fault is no greater than the combined fault of the parties you’re claiming against. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Can I Sue the State if a State Employee Caused My Accident While Driving a Personal Vehicle?
A state employee’s use of a personal vehicle does not, by itself, qualify the crash for a lawsuit under Connecticut’s state vehicle statute. That law applies when a state official or employee negligently operates a vehicle owned and insured by the state. Other claims may be available, depending on the circumstances.
Do I Need to File a 90-Day Notice With CTDOT?
It depends on the facts and circumstances of your accident. Under the rules of sovereign immunity in Connecticut, certain claims against government entities require a 90-day notice if you are suing a city or town. Speak with an attorney as soon as possible to understand if you need to provide notice in your case.
Is There a Cap on How Much I Can Recover in a Claim Against the State of Connecticut?
Connecticut’s state vehicle statute does not set a fixed cap on damages for lawsuits brought under it. The amount depends on the losses you can prove and any finding that you shared fault. Other types of claims against the state may follow different rules.
What Is the Difference Between a CTTransit Bus Claim and a Claim Involving a City Bus?
A CTTransit bus claim and a city bus claim can involve different responsible parties and filing rules. CTTransit services are operated by private companies under contract with the state, whereas a local bus service may be run by a municipality or transit district. The bus’s ownership and operator determine which process applies.