A school bus accident is every parent’s nightmare. While they may not occur as often as automobile crashes, bus accidents happen far more frequently than we may think. When you send your child off to school, the last thing you should have to think about is the thought of them getting injured in their trip to school. However, these accidents do happen and the consequences should not be taken lightly. The injuries that result from a school bus accident can be very serious, especially because children are one of the most vulnerable demographics to injury. If your child or another child you know has suffered an injury from a bus accident, it may be in your best interest to reach out to Cohen & Cohen, a trusted law firm of the Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, and surrounding areas that specializes in school bus accident cases.
When you decide to send your child off on their way to school by means of bus, you are primarily putting your full trust in the bus driver and the bus company to transport your child to and from school safely. You trust that the bus is properly maintained, trust that the driver is adequately trained, and most importantly, you trust that the driver will do everything in their power to make sure the duration of the bus ride is safe. While many bus drivers and companies live up to these standards, there are always exceptions. After all, bus drivers are people. They are prone to making mistakes just like everybody else. You can only hope that mistake isn’t going to cost your child a serious injury that may last for a lifetime.
If you or your child notices your bus driver, say for example, texting while driving or dozing off at the wheel, you can be sure that they are not upholding their responsibility to bring your child to and from school safely. If you or your child notices your bus driver reeking of alcohol or other substances, you can be sure that they also are not upholding their duty to you. There are many reasons for how a school bus accident can occur. While some are out of the control of both you and the driver, many others can be controlled and monitored. Some of the most common reasons for a school bus accident include (but are not limited to):
- Driver fatigue
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving (such as texting and driving or making personal phone calls)
- Unsafe lane changes
- Reckless driving
- Inexperienced driving
- Extreme weather (such as heavy snow or ice, strong winds, heavy rain, etc.)
Regardless of the cause, school bus accidents can lead to serious injuries for your child. These can carry a large emotional impact and an even larger bill. Injuries are costly, and it shouldn’t be your responsibility to have to worry about fronting the bill. If your child has suffered from a school bus accident, do not hesitate to reach out to Cohen & Cohen and we will be more than happy to set you up with a skilled school bus accident lawyer on our team.
