If your son or daughter is hurt on the bus, you may be entitled to recover damages for their injuries.
Across the country, school is well underway. Many kids get to and from and school each day on a bus — which is often considered the safest way to transport kids. But even on the most well-maintained bus with the most conscientious driver, accidents do happen. That’s why it is so important for your kids to be prepared for what to do in case they are in a school bus accident.
As experienced bus accident lawyers, the team at the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker knows just how traumatizing it can be when your child is hurt. You may also be facing high medical bills and time off of work to take care of your child. Read on to learn more about school bus accidents — and how you can take action if your child has been hurt.
How Common Are School Bus Accidents?
Bus accidents can happen in any number of ways. A bus may crash into another vehicle, a sign, or other object, or children can be hurt when getting on or off the bus. They may also be hurt when they’re riding on the bus — such as by slipping and falling on it.
Still, school bus accidents are relatively rare. Your child is far safer on a school bus than on almost any other form of transportation. However, accidents can and do happen. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 134 people die every year in collisions involving school buses. This includes people riding on the buses, bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers and passengers of other vehicles. There are also a significant number of non-fatal school bus accidents that lead to injuries, which can be serious — such as broken bones, cuts, head injuries and more.
Causes of Bus Crashes
One of the leading causes of school bus accidents is the driver becoming distracted — which isn’t surprising given that the bus is full of children who may or may not be on their best behavior. That’s why it is so important to teach your kids to behave on the bus — staying in their seats, not throwing items, and keeping their voices down.
You should also teach your kids about basic bus safety. School buses do not typically have seat belts, because it is safer for children to be able to exit a bus quickly in case of an accident. The lack of seat belts is generally safer, but it can lead to injuries. Your kids should always remain in their seats, and if they see that the bus driver is losing control of the bus, they can brace themselves to prevent being thrown out of the seat. On a related note, kids should pay attention when they’re on the bus — instead of engaging in loud conversations, goofing off and being rowdy, they should be aware of what is going on around them so that they can be prepared in case an accident occurs.
Claims Against a School District or Bus Company
If your child has been hurt on a school bus, you may want to file a claim against the school district, the bus company, or potentially responsible other parties. Be aware that the time limit to file claims against state, local and federal governments is much shorter than for private companies and individuals. That is why it is so important to have an experienced bus accident lawyer represent you. An attorney who understands the complexities of these cases will make sure that your claim is filed on time and that all responsible parties are identified in the suit.
At the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, we are seasoned personal injury attorneys with in-depth knowledge about how to handle claims against the government, including school bus accidents. Contact our office today at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com for a free consultation. We never charge a fee unless we get money for you!
