School Bus Accidents
It’s a parent’s worst nightmare to receive a call stating their child has been harmed in some sort of accident. The news can be even more devastating if the child was harmed in the one place they are supposed to feel and be safe, on their way to school in a school bus. Unfortunately, school bus drivers, educators, and other caretakers are sometimes negligent. That negligence could render what was once a safe space dangerous.
Due to the sheer size of the vehicle, a school bus accident can result in catastrophic injury or even death. Additionally, the lack of seatbelts in a school bus could cause passengers to retain serious head or traumatic brain injuries as a result. These injuries may lead to expensive hospital visits, medical bills, therapy costs and other applicable expenses.
If you or your child was injured or lost someone as a result of a school bus accident, then it’s within your best interest to contact a West Des Moines school bus accident attorney.
School Bus Accident Attorney in Des Moines, Iowa
Were you or your child injured in a school bus accident? If the answer is yes, then we urge you to get in contact with our experienced personal injury attorney Gregory Landry from McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. Attorney Landry has over 37 years of experience negotiating and litigating for victims of school bus accidents with positive results. There’s no reason for you or your family to suffer any longer because of the actions of a negligent third-party.
Begin to recover both emotionally and financially by hiring the experienced legal team at McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C.. You can set up your first consultation with Gregory Landry by calling McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. at (515) 279-9700. McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. accepts clients throughout the greater Polk County and Dallas County area in Iowa including Adel, Dallas Center, Perry, Waukee, Minburn, Redfield, Windsor Heights, Ankeny, Altoona, West Des Moines, Polk City, Bondurant, Alleman and Runnells.
Information Center:
- Statistics for School Bus Accidents in the U.S.
- Common Causes for School Bus Accidents
- Common Injuries from School Bus Accidents
- How to Recover from a School Bus Accident
- Additional Resources
Statistics for School Bus Accidents in the U.S.
Unfortunately, school bus accidents do happen and can result in serious injury or even death. What may surprise you, however, is the frequency at which school bus accidents happen in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), during the years of 2006-2015 there were 324,710 vehicle traffic crashes. Out of these crashes, the NHTSA identified 1,172 to be school transit related.
The report also states that 1,313 people were killed due to school transportation crashes in that time frame. In the end, these statistics average to approximately 130 fatalities annually. Additionally, the data found that 61 percent of school-age pedestrians were struck by school buses near their own school campuses.
Common Causes for School Bus Accidents
School bus accidents can be caused in a multitude of ways. Some common causes for school bus accidents include, but are not limited to:
- Driver distraction
- Unsafe safety systems, such as reflectors, lights, and other warning devices
- Mechanical errors in the school bus
- Popped tires
- Lack of training for the driver
- Overloaded buses
- School bus operating driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- School bus driver inexperience
- Running off the road
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Poorly maintained brakes
- Weather conditions such as fog, heavy rain, or snow
- Driver is fatigued, or is also driving too many hours at once
Common Injuries from School Bus Accidents
A school bus related injury can happen both on and off the bus. If another driver was hit by a school bus, they can sustain serious injuries such as whiplash or broken bones. Serious injuries can also occur when students are stepping off the bus such as a slip and fall. Some other commonly sustained injuries from a school bus accident include, but are not limited to:
- Disfigurement
- Head and brain injuries
- Slip and fall incidents
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Neck and back injuries
- Face injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken Bones
- Amputation
- Burn injuries
How to Recover from a School Bus Accident
If you or your child has been injured from a school bus accident, you could be entitled to compensation if the accident was caused by a third-party’s negligent actions. The first step is to hire skilled legal representation with extensive experience in personal injury law. Your attorney can then file a lawsuit on your behalf against the responsible party for damages.
As the plaintiff, you will have the burden of proving that the defendant’s negligent actions directly caused your injuries or was the cause of your loved one’s death, and that you suffered from your injuries or loss of a loved one. The claims process can be complicated, and any mistakes or errors could jeopardize your case. That is why we highly recommend you hire an experienced personal injury attorney if you plan to file a lawsuit.
You will be granted a monetary award if the court rules in your favor. The award will be based off your damages and can include both emotional and financial losses. Listed below are some common damages you may receive compensation for if you’re successful with your lawsuit.
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Loss of enjoyment for life
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
Additional Resources
American School Bus Council – Visit the official website for the American School Bus Council, which is a coalition of the school transportation community who are committed to providing safe, effective, and efficient transportation for more than 25 million schoolchildren. Read inspection details and safety mandates that are considered the standard for school bus drivers.
Traffic Safety Facts | NHTSA – Visit the official website for the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to read up on their school transportation-related crash statistics. Access the site to research the trends for school bus accidents over the years, review statistics and data tables regarding school bus accidents vs. pedestrian accidents, and other information.
Personal Injury Attorney for School Bus Accidents in Des Moines, Iowa
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a school bus accident, we recommend you get in contact with the legal team at McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C.. Our highly skilled and reputable personal injury attorney Gregory Landry has represented victims of auto accidents including school bus accidents for decades. He understands how devastating an injury or wrongful death from a school bus accident can be and will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Set up your first consultation with Gregory Landry by calling McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. today at (515) 279-9700. McCarthy & Hamrock, P.C. is has offices in West Des Moines but accepts clients throughout the greater Polk County and Dallas County area in Iowa.