When your child is sent off to school in a bus, you want to know that they are as safe as possible. The truth is that statistically speaking, they are less likely to be involved in a bus accident than a car accident with you driving. That said, bus accidents do happen and because school buses often lack the safety features that modern cars have, bus accidents can result in severe injuries.
Of all bus fatalities in the United States, more than one third involve school buses. If your child has been injured or killed in a bus accident, you might be able to hold the at-fault parties financially responsible. Keep reading to learn the four most important things you should know and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
- The Driver Might Be at Fault
- The Driver’s Employer Might Be at Fault
- There Might Be Special Procedures to Follow
- There is a Statute of Limitations to Follow
The first thing to look at is if the bus driver was at fault for the accident. There are many situations that could have caused them to be at fault for the crash, from driving while fatigued, to being careless, or even being intoxicated. It could be that the school bus driver was 100% at fault or that another driver of another vehicle was partially at fault. It might even be a pedestrian who walked out in front of the bus who contributed to the accident. The key is finding an attorney who can determine if a driver was at fault.
It is also possible that the owner of the bus company could be negligent and held liable for the damages. For example, if the driver had several at-fault accidents on their record and the bus company hired them anyway, they could be found at fault for their poor hiring practices. If the bus company did not properly maintain the vehicles or train the employee, they could be held responsible too. These are only a few of the ways in which the employer might be held responsible.
Depending on who the defendant is in your lawsuit, there might be special procedures you must follow. For example, if the school district is a defendant, then you will not file a case in civil court as you would if it was an individual driver or corporation. Before you file a formal case against any government entity, you need to file a notice of intent. Your personal injury attorney can help ensure the correct procedures are followed.
You do not have forever to file your case. In fact, if a government agency is a defendant, then you will only have six months. In most other cases, you will have two years. Contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
