School bus crashes are a lot more common that people may realize. In fact, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), there was an estimated 1,214 fatal school bus accidents between the years 2004 and 2013 – which averaged 134 fatalities per year. These incidents involved vehicle accidents and school busses accidentally striking children. Unfortunately, most of these accidents could have been prevented.
If your child is riding the bus to school, there are things you need to know as a parent to keep them safe. Also, it is important that you understand your rights in the event your child is injured in a school bus accident.
Deploy Essential Safety Tips
A school bus is designed to be safer than your average passenger vehicle, and the majority of times children will ride school buses to and from school without any issue. However, accidents can happen and even the most cautious bus driver can be involved in an accident – especially because they cannot control the other vehicles around them.
You can help increase your child’s school bus safety by using a few of these tips:
- Teach your child to be careful and safe around and on school buses. Your children should always be aware of their surroundings at the school bus stop. That means no distractions and always looking out for cars and the bus driver. Also, while your child is on the bus, they should be aware of where they are going and what is going on around them. They should also remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.
- Keeping an eye on your children at the bus stop. While it may not always be convenient, try to walk with your child to the bus stop several times per week to monitor their behavior. This way you can pinpoint any dangerous behaviors and correct them before they become issues. Make sure your child knows what hazards to look out for and what to do around the bus.
- Teach your children about proper safety. Your child should always wait until the bus has stopped and the doors have opened before approaching the bus. Also, your child should know not to reach for any objects near the tires or front of the bus – as the driver cannot see them if they are that close to the bus.
Filing a Lawsuit for Injuries
If your child is injured on a school bus, you still have legal options for receiving compensation and ensuring those responsible are held liable for their actions. First, you will need to answer three very important legal questions:
- Who is at fault for the accident? First you will need to determine who is at fault for the accident. Determining who is at fault is a major component in your personal injury case. If the driver was acting negligently and caused the accident, then they would be considered the “at fault” party in the incident.
- Who is liable for the accident and your child’s injuries? While there may be someone at fault, that party may not always be the liable party. For example, if the bus driver was at fault, the liable party may be the school or the district that is employing that bus driver, because these employers are responsible for the actions of their employee. If the bus malfunctioned, then there may be a product liability claim against the manufacturer – making them liable for any injuries.
- Filing your lawsuit. When dealing with a school or school district, your case will fall under government claims. These are not the same as filing a suit against a private individual and you will have stricter requirements and deadlines to meet.
Was Your Child Injured in a Bus Accident? Contact De Castroverde Law Group Today
If your child was seriously injured in a school bus accident, contact the attorneys at De Castroverde Law Group today. We can assist you in filing your claim and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or call 702-222-9999 to schedule a consultation.