The Shoulder
The Shoulder
52
quiet-owl-442

Got hit by a city transit bus AND another driver — where do I even start?

So this happened about three weeks ago and I'm still kind of spinning. I was driving home from work when a pickup ran a red light and pushed my car directly into the path of a city bus that was pulling away from a stop. So now I've got damage from two separate impacts, injuries to my neck and back, and apparently I'm dealing with THREE different insurance situations — my own, the other driver's, and some kind of municipal liability thing for the city vehicle.

I've never been in any accident before, let alone something this complicated. The ER visit was rough, I've been doing PT twice a week, and I'm still not cleared to go back to my full-time job. My own insurance has been okay-ish but the adjusters from the other parties are already calling and honestly the calls feel weird — like they're really eager to wrap things up fast.

Some people are telling me I need a lawyer immediately, others say wait and see how I feel. I genuinely don't know what the right move is. Does having a government vehicle involved actually make things more complicated legally? Are there special deadlines I need to know about? And how do you even find someone who knows how to handle a multi-party situation like this?

Any advice from people who've been through something similar would mean a lot right now. I feel like I'm in over my head.

14replies

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14 replies

  • 18
    quiet-swift-984

    Not legal advice, but I'll flag something important: claims against government entities — including city-operated vehicles — almost always have much shorter notice deadlines than regular personal injury claims. We're talking weeks to a few months in many places, not the standard years you might have otherwise. Please don't wait on this one. Talk to a PI attorney soon, even just for a free consult to understand the timeline.

    • 2
      kind-traveler238

      This is exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you.

  • 13
    tidy-lynx-611

    Please don't downplay the neck and back stuff, especially after a double-impact collision. Soft tissue injuries can feel manageable at first and then get significantly worse over weeks. Keep every PT appointment, document your pain levels daily if you can, and tell your doctors everything — even symptoms that seem minor. That record matters, both for your health and for any claim you end up making.

    • 6
      curious-sparrow-504

      Three insurance parties means three teams all quietly hoping someone else takes the blame so they pay less. None of them are on your side. The 'eager to wrap things up fast' vibe you're getting is a red flag — do not let them rush you.

    • 3
      honest-passenger162

      Thanks for sharing. Hope things are getting a little easier for you.

  • 13
    gentle-beaver-653

    Stop answering the adjusters' calls. Get a PI lawyer on the phone this week — most do free consultations and take cases on contingency so you pay nothing upfront. Bring photos, the police report, your medical records so far, and a list of every call you've gotten from the insurance companies. That's it. That's the move right now.

    • 5
      grounded-road-soul280

      Following up on this — any update on how it turned out?

  • 10
    warm-dove-051

    The government vehicle piece genuinely does add a layer of complexity. A lot of states require you to file a formal notice of claim with the relevant city or municipal agency before you can even pursue a lawsuit — and those windows can be really short, sometimes as little as 60 or 90 days from the date of the incident. A personal injury attorney who has handled municipal cases will know exactly what's required in your state. That's the type of experience I'd specifically ask about when you're vetting anyone.

  • 10
    candid-marmot-462

    I know it feels overwhelming right now, but honestly the fact that you have multiple liable parties can actually work in your favor — there are more potential sources of coverage for your medical bills and lost wages. A good attorney can help you figure out how to navigate that. You're not in as hopeless a spot as it might feel right now.

    • 4
      patient-neighbor183

      Appreciate the detailed write-up. Saving this for later.

  • 9
    quick-heron-324

    I was in a two-car situation (no bus, thankfully) and the part about adjusters calling fast and seeming eager to settle — YES. That happened to me too. I almost accepted an early offer before I even knew the full extent of my injuries. Ended up needing more treatment than I realized in those first few weeks. Get everything documented and don't sign anything.

    • 8
      grounded-late-shift934

      Exactly my experience. Persistence paid off in the end.

  • 7
    cool-hare-806

    Those calls from the other parties' adjusters feeling 'weird'? Trust that instinct. When I worked on the other side, early outreach to claimants was absolutely a strategy to get a recorded statement or a quick settlement before the person understood what they were actually dealing with. You are not obligated to speak with them at all. Especially with a municipal party involved, their legal team is already thinking about limiting exposure.

    • 2
      calm-traveler166

      This is exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you.