School Bus Crashes: A Parent’s Worst Nightmare

Many people consider school bus transportation to be extremely safe. After all, we watch every day as our most precious cargo hop up the school bus steps and drive off for the day.

School buses share the road with other vehicles – passenger vehicles and tractor-trailers. The hope for all drivers who are on the road is that everyone else they are sharing the road with is experienced, well-rested, and practices safe driving behaviors. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

Distracted, fatigued and impaired drivers can cause mayhem and tragedy. Although many school bus accidents are determined to be the fault of the school bus driver, all too often other drivers are the ones who cause the crash. If your child has been injured in a school bus accident, consider contacting a Virginia accident attorney for assistance.

Safety Regulations

Safe driving is a huge responsibility especially for vehicles that carry a large number of passengers. There is an expectation that there be an alert and experienced driver and a well-maintained bus. Safety regulations for school buses normally fall under the jurisdiction of the school district. However, when the school bus is being used for any other purpose other than back-and-forth school transportation – such as for field trips or transporting students to a sport meet – then the jurisdiction of the trip falls under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

What an Attorney Can Do for You

In the event of a child being involved in a serious bus crash, dedicated legal counsel is important. An attorney with a wealth of experience in personal injury litigation will be able to assure you of a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the crash. Determining who is at fault helps pinpoint where compensation can be sought from. Questions to seek answers to may include:

• Was the driver negligent? Were they fatigued or under the influence?
• Did the bus company fail to maintain a roadworthy vehicle?
• Were there other vehicles involved in the crash whose drivers were responsible?
• Were the road conditions safe?

If your child has been involved in a crash, contact our skilled Virginia school bus accident attorneys to find out what legal recourse you may have. Our legal team has helped many accident victims and their families obtain the financial compensation they deserved for their pain and losses they sustained from injuries.