A variety of factors can lead to an accident involving a school bus, including distracted driving, mechanical issues, or hazardous road conditions. As a result, there are many causes of school bus accidents. In 2019, School Transportation News reported that over half of school bus accidents were the fault of another driver, or no blame was assigned. The same source stated that in a study that involved 1,365 school bus accidents, 16.5% were found to be the fault of the bus driver, the school district, or private bus company.
There were 126 occupants killed from accidents involving school transportation vehicles in 2017, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They also reported that school bus accidents account for 16% of the total number of public school claims, costing an estimated $7 million in damages each year.
The Causes of School Bus Accidents
The American School Bus Council reports that school buses are the safest form of transportation because of the size of the bus, the inner protective seating, and rollover standards. The organization acknowledges that out of 100 riders, less than 1% are at risk of injuries or death. Yet, when you entrust your child to the care of a school transportation system, you expect the danger to be zero.
All circumstances surrounding each school bus accident is different.
However, additional causes of school bus accidents may include:
- Failure by the driver of the bus to remain attentive to the road
- Error on the judgment of the driver, such as speeding or failing to signal when merging lanes
- Other motorists engaging in risky behavior
- Unruly passengers distracting the driver of the bus
Passengers can also be at a heightened risk because these school buses often lack seat belts and other safety features. Because buses make frequent stops, about 24% of related injuries involve passengers boarding or exiting the vehicle.
Riders Must Look Out for Their Own Safety
School bus drivers cannot be solely responsible for ensuring the safety of their passengers. With most school buses carrying anywhere from 30 to 100 young people at any given time, occupants also have a role in maintaining their own safety.
Despite employing safety measures, you could still be a victim in a school bus accident. If you or your child has been involved in an accident with a school bus, consider that you may be entitled to financial damages for any injuries or death sustained as a result.
Talk to our school bus accident attorneys about your situation to understand your rights and your alternatives in getting the compensation you deserve. After determining liability and assigning monetary values to your economic and non-economic damages, your lawyers will move forward with a claim or lawsuit.
A Lawyer Can Help You Determine Fault in a School Bus Accident
The legal team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help you understand your options as you pursue compensation.
These services include:
- Determining who was at fault
- Collecting evidence that assigns liability to the responsible party
- Initiating legal action and handling your case from start to finish
- Protecting your rights throughout the legal process
If your case is successful, you may be able to collect compensation for medical costs, lost wages, or any other expenses stemming from the accident.
For more information about what we can do for you, call our team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today. We go the extra mile for each of our clients. Call us today at 1-800-747-3733 for a free consultation.
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