If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Stop the bus safely, set the brake and turn on the hazards if you can.
- 2Call 911 if you, a passenger or someone in another vehicle is hurt.
- 3Radio or call dispatch and follow your agency's incident steps.
- 4If you were assaulted by a passenger, get to safety and let responders handle the person.
- 5Get names and contact information from witnesses, including passengers if possible.
- 6Report your own injury in writing to your supervisor — separate from the vehicle incident report if your agency uses one.
- 7Note the route, bus number, time, location and what happened.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Bus incidents often generate a vehicle accident report. That report is about the bus; it may not count as a report of your injury. Make sure you also tell your supervisor, in writing, that you were hurt and how.
If another driver caused a crash, there may be a claim against that driver's insurance as well as a workers' compensation claim. Those are different processes. Keep the police report number and the other driver's details.
Deadlines to report an injury and file a claim vary by state. Public employers sometimes have their own procedures. Check with your state's workers' compensation agency and your employer as soon as possible.
Keep copies of any camera footage requests, the bus defect log, and a record of missed runs or shifts.
Getting medical care
Neck and back pain after a sudden stop or collision often gets worse over the next day or two. Get checked at urgent care, an emergency department or occupational medicine. A licensed clinician decides what is appropriate after an evaluation, which may include referrals to spine care, orthopedics or physical therapy.
Tell the clinician you drive a bus for work and describe what happened — a rear-end crash, a passenger falling against you, pulling a wheelchair ramp, years of steering a heavy wheel. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first, so ask.
If you are prescribed medication, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled, and ask your clinician whether it affects your ability to drive.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- Another driver caused a collision and you have workers' compensation and insurance questions at the same time.
- You were assaulted by a passenger and are dealing with physical and emotional injuries.
- Your neck, back or shoulder injury keeps you from returning to the driver's seat.
- Your claim is denied because pain is called wear and tear.
- There is disagreement about whether you are fit to return to driving.
- You are disciplined or treated differently after reporting.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Follow your care plan and therapy. Ask your clinician about safe sitting, mirror checks and turning your head while your neck heals.
Ask your doctor whether you need restrictions or a fitness-for-duty review before driving again. Ask your employer about light duty, such as dispatch, yard or training work.
If you were assaulted or in a frightening crash, nervousness behind the wheel is common. Tell your clinician if it persists. Keep your supervisor and adjuster updated.
Questions to ask
- Employer: Does the vehicle incident report count as my injury report, or do I need a separate one?
- Employer: Can the camera footage from the bus be saved?
- Employer: Is light duty available while I can't drive?
- Doctor: When is it safe for me to drive passengers again?
- Doctor: Will my medication affect my driving?
- Adjuster: How does a claim against the other driver affect my workers' comp claim?
- Attorney: Can you explain the difference between my workers' comp claim and a claim against the other driver?
Frequently asked questions
What should a bus driver injured on the job do first?
Secure the bus and passengers, call 911 if anyone is hurt and notify dispatch. Then get checked by a clinician. Report your own injury to your supervisor in writing.
Is the bus accident report the same as reporting my injury?
Not always. A vehicle report describes the incident, while your injury report describes how you were hurt. Ask your employer, and make a written injury report to be safe.
Can I get workers' comp if another driver hit my bus?
Often, yes, workers' compensation may apply, and there may also be a separate claim against the other driver. Rules depend on your state. Many drivers talk with an attorney about how the two fit together.
What if a passenger assaulted me?
Get safe, call 911 and report it to dispatch and your supervisor in writing. Injuries from a passenger assault are often handled through workers' compensation, depending on your state. Behavioral health care may also help.
Can years of driving a bus cause neck or shoulder problems?
Many drivers report neck, back or shoulder pain from long hours at the wheel. A licensed clinician can evaluate whether your work is a factor. Rules for gradual injuries vary by state.
When can I drive a bus again after an injury?
Your doctor decides, and your employer may require a fitness-for-duty review. Ask for written restrictions. Medication and concussion symptoms can affect timing.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).