What You Should Know About School Bus Accidents

School buses are responsible for transporting those we treasure most – our children. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), it is estimated that there were 1,214 crashes involving school transportation vehicles between the years 2004 and 2013 and an average of 134 fatalities every year. Unfortunately, even on a school bus, your children are at risk of being injured or killed.

As a parent, what should you know about keeping your children safe on a school bus and what can you do if they are injured? Continue reading to find out.

Keeping Your Child Safe

A school bus is designed to provide more safety than a passenger car. However, while they are built to be safer, accidents happen when others are negligent, which means your children can be hurt. Below are some ways you can help increase the safety of your children whenever they ride the school bus:

• Tell them to be careful: Children are often unaware of their surroundings, so make sure you emphasize that it is important to pay attention to what is happening around them. Instruct them to minimize distractions such as playing with a cell phone, listening to loud music, or talking to friends. This does not mean they should not engage in any of these activities, but it is crucial for them to understand that a big part of safety involves a general awareness.

• Monitor them at the bus stop: If you have the time, or it is possible to make time, you might want to consider checking on the bus stop and perhaps help keep it clear of hazards.

• Teach your kids about proper bus safety: There is more to riding the bus than simply arriving at the bus stop and stepping inside. Make sure you have a safety discussion with your children and ensure they know how to recognize and respond to unsafe situations, both in and off the bus.

Filing a School Bus Lawsuit

Of course, no matter how much you try to keep your children safe, accidents happen. Therefore, it is important to understand what to do next. When filing a school bus lawsuit, there are a variety of factors to consider, including:

• Fault: Much like a motor vehicle accident, determining fault in accidents that involve school busses is a major legal element involved in the process of filing a lawsuit. Before you can file a lawsuit, you have to know who was responsible for it.

• Liability: If it is determined that the school bus driver is at fault for the accident, it is possible that he or she will not be the only party who is liable for the damages. Oftentimes, the school or the school district is also held liable for their employee’s actions. If the driver was not to blame and the accident was caused by a bus malfunction, then you might have a claim against the manufacturer.

• Lawsuit: These types of lawsuits are often complicated. You will need to understand the statute of limitations and understand the requirements that must be met to file a claim, especially if it involves the school district. This is why it is imperative that you seek the assistance of a skilled legal advocate who has experience in handling these types of lawsuits. Your attorney will be able to effectively guide you through the process and ensure you meet all the necessary requirements and never miss a deadline.

Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys in Oklahoma

At Martin Jean & Jackson, our skilled team of personal injury attorneys in Oklahoma are dedicated to fighting on behalf of those who were wrongfully injured as a result of another party’s negligence. If your child was injured in a school bus accident, you need to obtain knowledgeable legal representation as soon as possible to ensure you are able to hold the responsible parties accountable. You should not have to go through this difficult experience on your own.