School bus accidents: Seeking compensation for injuries

Have you or someone you loved been involved in a school bus accident? Find out how you can seek compensation for your injuries.

School buses help students get to campus if they live far from school or their parents can’t drop them off. While the transportation is convenient, the massive buses aren’t the safest way to travel. Most school buses don’t have seat belts, and driving and turning on narrow city streets is a struggle.

There are countless guidelines and checkpoints for school bus drivers, so school bus accidents are relatively rare. But when they happen, you want to know what steps to take to get the compensation you deserve.

Learn about determining fault and what compensation you can seek with the help of experienced school bus accident lawyers.

Identifying the at-fault parties

If you’re in a car accident, you must deal with the other driver and determine which party caused the wreck. With a school bus accident, identifying the at-fault parties involves more oversight.

Bus driver

The bus driver is behind the wheel, so they’re commonly at fault. They have a professional duty to keep students safe since it’s the nature of their job. If the driver acts negligently, you can sue them for any injuries or damages from the accident.

School district

The school district can play several roles in a school bus accident. In many cities and states, each school district hires its bus drivers. The district is at fault for hiring a driver with a bad driving record or not providing proper training.

Your lawyer might also find the school district liable if the weather caused the accident. School districts must stay alert during severe weather, close school early, or cancel the entire day if road conditions are bad. They can’t expect a bus driver to safely transport students when the area experiences flooding, snowing, or extreme weather.

School bus company

The school bus company is the entity that parks the school buses overnight and provides maintenance. They can be at fault if the cause of the accident is a defect in the bus, worn-out parts, or lack of repairs.

Bus manufacturer

The bus manufacturer can be at fault even if the bus involved in an accident is old. Vehicle defects are fairly common, so as soon as the manufacturer discovers a defect, they must issue a recall. If they fail to do so, their negligence can cause accidents. Your lawyer can use the police report from the school bus accident to determine if the manufacturer is liable.

Possible compensation for school bus accidents

School bus-related crashes kill people of all ages, from students riding as passengers to pedestrians or people in other vehicles. Whether your child suffers injuries from a school bus accident or you’re in a wreck with your car, you can seek compensation.

Some of the most common types of compensation include:

  • Disability or disfigurement
  • Loss of income
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Wrongful death

If you or someone you love is in a school bus accident, hire an attorney immediately. An experienced lawyer will review your case and understand what compensation you need. They will consider your medical records, insurance claims, and pain and suffering as they deal with the at-fault parties and insurance companies.

You can hire a lawyer to help you navigate the stress of a school bus accident even if your child wasn’t a passenger on the bus or didn’t suffer injuries. If you were driving your vehicle and the school bus hit you, a lawyer can help you get funds from the insurance company to handle repairs.

Make sure you get the compensation you are entitled to

School bus accidents are stressful situations. You might deal with an injured or disabled child or have to put your life back together after losing a loved one. Pain and suffering from a wreck can lessen your quality of life and cause you to lose your job. Hiring an attorney will ensure you get the compensation you deserve from everyone involved.