School Bus Accidents
Although transporting children to school by bus is one of the safest means of transportation, school bus accidents can happen and are devastating. Children are often scared and confused after a crash, and they are away from their parents. An average of 20 children die each year during school bus accidents, either while riding the bus or by getting run over while getting on or off the bus. Here are some solutions to help you keep your child safe while riding the bus:
- Consider asking your school board to install seat belts in busses.
- Explain to your child why it is important to stay seated while the bus is moving.
- Talk to your child about the steps he/she should take if there is a crash, including staying calm, following orders from adults, moving away from danger, calling 911 and you.
- Consider giving your child a cell phone for emergency use.
- Explain to your child why it is important to avoid distracting the bus driver while driving.
- make sure your school system buys newer busses and keeps up with bus maintenance.
- Consider driving your child yourself or staying home from school during bad weather.
- Teach your children to “stop, drop and roll” in case of fire.
- Make sure all bus drivers receive appropriate training.
- Help your child onto the bus at home, and ask your child’s teacher to give assistance when your child comes home.
- Greet your child’s bus driver in order to be aware of possible fatigue, intoxication, etc.
- Teach your child to get on and off only when the bus is at a complete stop.
- Teach your child to get on and off the bus by looking at the bus driver, waiting until the bus driver makes eye contact, and saying “hello” or “goodbye” to make sure the driver knows the child is there.
- Teach your child to look both ways before crossing a street, and to look around the bus for oncoming traffic.
Children can die during school bus accidents, or they can receive serious injuries such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and broken arms and legs. Medical expenses can be astronomical. School bus accidents can happen because of driver negligence, bus malfunctions, or manufacturer and employee negligence. Causes of accidents include fatigued or intoxicated drivers, drivers who mismanage children on the bus, negligence on the part of drivers of other vehicles, mechanical failure and product malfunction. Contact a personal injury attorney who specializes in auto accidents immediately if your child is involved in a school bus accident.
