Taking the bus is mostly a safe means of travel. However, on occasion, a school bus accident does occur. Whether it is due to a bus driver who failed to properly operate the vehicle, mechanical malfunction, or weather conditions, a school bus can become involved in an accident. Although bus accidents are uncommon, they can be the cause of serious or fatal injuries. If your child has been seriously injured in a school bus accident, you may want to talk to our Personal Injury Attorneys in Baltimore County.
How can a school bus accident happen?
As a parent, you never want to hear that your child is involved in a school bus accident. However, if it happens, you deserve to know the cause. Bus accidents can cause a lot of stress. Unfortunately, they can also create a physical and financial strain and can happen for many reasons. Some common causes of school bus accidents are as follows:
- Poor weather conditions
- Illegal passing of a stopped school bus
- Inexperienced bus driver
- Distracted driving
- Maintenance issues
- Speed
- Reckless driving
What are the most common types of injuries from these accidents?
If your child was involved in a school bus accident, it is wise to seek medical care no matter how serious injuries appear. Some injuries worsen over time. Proper medical documentation may help you and your child receive compensation for medical bills later on. Some common injuries related to school bus accidents are below:
- Head injuries or trauma
- Neck Injuries
- Cuts and bruises
- Back injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
Who may be held responsible?
It is important to determine who is responsible for you or your child’s accident. As accidents can be caused for a variety of reasons, the placement of responsibility also varies. A few parties that may be held responsible are listed below:
- The school bus driver: the driver is held to a high standard to follow all traffic laws and is responsible for safe driving
- The school district: the school district may be responsible for the maintenance of the bus, proper training of drivers, and cancellation of activities due to bad weather.
- A third party/another driver: another driver may be negligent, causing the accident, disregarding school bus safety laws, or illegally passing a bus.
Your child might also experience mental and emotional distress or develop PTSD after such an accident. Ideally, your child will not suffer any of these consequences. However, they can be devastating and last a long time. Parents of injured children should seek legal advice to potentially receive compensation for their losses.
