Although the school year is coming to a close in Washington and other states, the safety of the children that ride these vehicles remains. While these massive vehicles are presumed safe, this does not make them immune from accidents. In fact, when buses are involved in crashes, they have the tendency to be severe, injuring numerous victims.
With safety features already in place, officials seek to make schools even safer. This is due to the current statistics regarding school buses involved in crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 33 school-aged children die in traffic accidents while riding a school bus each year. It was found that most school bus accidents occur just after the children left the bus or right before they enter the bus.
The timing of an accident could help determine the cause and liability. If another motorist fails to follow the signs, lights and signals of the bus, this could be the cause of the crash. However, if the bus driver fails to use these instruments or ensure that it is safe to cross, they could be held liable for the crash. But, driver negligence is not always to blame, as vehicle maintenance and driving conditions could also play a role. Thus, it is important to understand the details of the crash.
Victims of bus accidents should understand their rights and options following a crash. It can be overwhelming for parents to hear that their child was injured in a school bus crash; however, it is possible to seek legal recourses through a personal injury action. Whether it is a negligent bus driver or negligent motorist, it is possible to hold them liable through a civil action, helping them recover compensation for losses suffered.