With kids across Florida back to school, be sure to drive carefully around the influx of school buses that are now back on the road. Unfortunately, car accidents involving school buses are all too common. In fact, just earlier this week, a Palm Beach County school bus was involved in a three-vehicle crash on I-95. Thankfully, WPTV.com is reporting that no one on the bus was injured.
What to Do If Your Child is Injured in a School Bus Accident
Personal injury lawsuits seeking compensation for school bus accidents can be especially complicated as they often involve numerous injured children. Therefore, it is very important that you document your child’s injuries and recovery as thoroughly as possible. This involves keeping copies of your child’s relevant medical records, medication prescriptions, and receipts from all accident related expenses. Additionally, if you are able to take photos of scene of the accident and your child’s injuries make sure to do so as this type of evidence is often helpful when arguing that a personal injury claim is valid.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Causing a School Bus Accident?
Generally speaking, named defendants in personal injury lawsuits resulting from school bus accidents often include one or more of the following parties depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident:
- The Bus Driver: Bus drivers have a legal duty to drive cautiously and reasonably as a prudent bus driver would in a similar situation would. Therefore, if the bus driver’s negligence was the proximate cause of the accident in which you child was injured, then he/she can generally be held liable in a resulting personal injury lawsuit. For example, bus drivers have been found to have breached their requisite duty of care for failing to stop at railroad crossings, driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, speeding, driving recklessly, etc.
- The School District: The school district employing the bus driver at the time of the accident can also often be held liable if the bus driver’s negligence caused the accident. This is because the actions of the bus driver is generally imputed to his/her employer, the school district. Additionally, a school district can also be held liable if they negligently hired the bus driver or if they failed to properly maintain the school bus.
- Another Driver: Other drivers can also be held legally liable if their negligent or wrongful acts caused the accident in which your child was injured.
Consult With a Local Car Accident Attorney
If your child was injured in a school bus accident, it is highly recommended that you consult with a local car accident attorney without delay. An experienced attorney will be able to review the facts of your case and determine whether or not you are likely entitled to collect compensation, investigate the accident, gather evidence in support of your claim, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and pursue a personal injury claim in court if necessary. Here at Piccin & Glynn, Attorneys at Law, our experienced auto, truck, and motorcycle accident lawyers represent injured clients throughout Florida and would be happy to assist you. To find out what our firm can do for you contact our Ocala office today at 352-558-8480 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Resource:
wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/school-bus-crash-on-i-95-nb-causes-backups-in-palm-beach-county