Sending your child off to school can be bittersweet. There are so many things running through your mind. Did they grab their lunch? Will they like their teacher? Will they make friends? As you put them on the school bus and wave good-bye, the last thing you want to add to that list is a negligent bus driver. But annually, hundreds are killed and millions are injured due to school bus accidents.A few years ago, we all squirmed in our seats as this bus driver actually pulled out his cell phone and began texting just moments before crashing into another vehicle.
Even as a parent, there are things you can do to help prevent an accident.
Questions to ask that can prevent an accident:
- Does the school send buses on the safest routes possible?
- Has the school conducted a recent safety assessment of school loading zones?
- Are drivers and monitors are receiving high-quality safety training?
- Are student riders trained on how to safely board, ride and exit the bus, and what to do in an emergency?
However a parent’s ability to prevent a school bus accident only goes so far. Because the school provides transportation for students, it has an obligation to exercise reasonable care. But as the statistics have shown, sometimes the school isn’t always providing the optimum level of care that it should be.
School bus accidents occur for various reasons including:
- Lack of or improper training for drivers
- Overloading
- Poor maintenance
- Road conditions
- Weather conditions
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
Despite taking preventive measures, school bus accidents still occur and when they do, determining who is liable for the damages can get complicated. When your child’s care is compromised, you’ll want answers. Speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you decide if you have a case and if so, how to proceed.
If your child has been the victim of an accident on a school bus, call the Meehan Law Firm. We specialize in handling school negligence cases. We have obtained dozens of verdicts for parents whose children have been injured in public or in private schools.
Sources: http://www.personalinjurylawyer.com/resources/personal-injury/accident-injuries/school-bus-injury-liability.htm, http://www.personalinjurylawyer.com/legal-advice/personal-injury/accident-injuries/how-do-i-determine-responsible-a-school-bus-a, http://www.personalinjurylawyer.com/resources/personal-injury/accident-injuries/child-injuries-negligent-supervision.htm, http://www.campussafetymagazine.com/Channel/School-Safety/articles/2011/07/A-Comprehensive-Plan-for-School-Bus-Accidents.aspx