Know about School Bus Accidents
School is back in session and that means that kids are back on the bus. School buses offer busy parents the convenience of not having to transport their children back and forth from school. So many parents entrust their children to school bus drivers and the parties that oversee them so when an accident occurs, it is devastating.
School buses are forms of public transportation and are therefore regarded as common carriers. Common carriers are held to a higher standard of care than regular drivers. School bus drivers in particular should exercise caution due to the young age of their passengers.
Why School Bus Accidents Occur?
There are many reasons why school bus accidents occur:
Poor road and weather conditions can lead to accidents, especially if a driver fails to drive appropriately for current conditions. If a driver was not trained properly, his or her inexperience can lead to accidents. Bus drivers should also be fit for duty, meaning they should not be overly fatigued or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Additionally, speeding or other reckless behavior behind the wheel can lead to accidents that are particularly devastating due to the size of the vehicle and the lack of passenger restraints.
School buses themselves should be properly maintained. Failure to address any known problems, such as brake issues or under-inflated tires, can lead to accidents that cause injury.
Take Safety Precautions before riding in a School Bus
Parents should take precautions and make sure their children are familiar with school bus safety procedures. It is important to teach kids not to run into traffic or into the blind spot of a bus driver. Children should have their possessions securely stored inside their backpacks and the bags should not have long straps that may get caught in something, such as a bus door. Kids should also be taught to wait for the bus safely and to maintain eye contact with the bus driver.
Contact Our School Bus Accident Lawyers
After a school bus accident, your first priority is to seek medical attention for your injured loved one. You should then take note of the name and badge number of the driver involved and any witness contact information. It is also important to speak with an attorney that can protect your rights following a common carrier accident and who will work to get you the compensation you deserve. Filing a claim in a school bus accident can be complicated, so if you feel that a school bus accident is the result of negligence, Contact a school bus accident lawyer Fort lauderdale from the Law offices of Wolf & Pravato as soon as possible. Call us at 1-954-633-8270 or fill out our online contact form.
