Who Is Liable for a School Bus Accident?

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You may be devastated upon learning that, as your child was being transported to school on a school bus, they became a victim of an accident. You may be quick to blame the school bus driver, but there are multiple possibilities as to who the at-fault party was. Continue reading to learn who is liable for your child’s school bus accident and how an experienced St. Mary’s County bus accident lawyer at Dorsey Law Firm can help you make this determination.

Who is responsible for a school bus accident?

More often than not, a school bus driver is the liable party for a school bus accident. This may be due to their reckless driving, distracted driving, or any other form of negligent driving.

But generally speaking, the liable party of a school bus accident is identified on a case-by-case basis. Other possibilities as to who is responsible are as follows:

  • The school bus manufacturer: for example, there may have been faulty parts in the school bus.
  • The school bus company owner: for example, an owner may have sent out a driver with a lack of experience or training.
  • The school district: for example, a school district may have hired a school bus company or driver with a lack of credibility.
  • Other drivers on the road: for example, another driver may have illegally passed a stopped school bus.
  • Other external factors: for example, dangerous inclement weather may have severely inhibited visibility on the roads.

What steps should I take after an accident?

You must work on your child’s behalf and immediately respond to the school bus accident. That is, you should take the following steps:

  • Call 911: a law enforcement officer will arrive to conduct an official accident report and dispatch an ambulance to the scene of the accident.
  • Take photos and videos: capture your child’s injuries, your child’s damages, and the overall scene of the accident.
  • Collect contact information: ask for the contact information of the school bus driver, other involved drivers, and witnesses that were present at the time of the accident.
  • Seek medical attention: send your child to the ambulance on the scene, escort them to the emergency room, and take them to follow-up appointments with their physician as recommended.
  • Collect medical documents: gather documentation that states the date, time, and seriousness of your child’s injuries.
  • Collect medical bills: gather bills that state the cost of your child’s required surgeries, treatments, therapies, etc.

After all this, you may consider filing a personal injury claim on your child’s behalf. A skilled St. Mary’s County auto accident lawyer is able and willing to stand by your side throughout your claims process. So do not hesitate in contacting the Dorsey Law Firm today.