As summer comes to a close and children start heading back to school, kids are at an increased risk of being involved in a school bus accident. There has already been one accident reported this month when a school bus crashed into a person’s home. Luckily, none of the children on board were injured, but that is not always the case.
Another school bus accident was reported in March when a school bus and another car collided—and injuries were involved.
These situations can be especially traumatic and scary as there are children involved, for the kids and their parents and guardians. After such an accident occurs, it’s essential to know your rights and what to do to make sure the guilty party is held accountable, and to ensure you get fair compensation to help pay for your child’s injuries and other damages.
If your child is injured in an Indiana school bus accident, the team at Crossen Law Firm can assist you. Our Indianapolis personal injury attorneys have years of experience handling a wide variety of cases, including those involving children and school buses. Let us help you during this trying time.
What Can Cause a School Bus Accident?
Many things can contribute to a school bus accident, but some of the most common causes include:
- Lack of training or school bus driver inexperience.
- Blind spots. School buses are large and thus have bigger blind spots that make it hard to see other people or cars around them.
- Bad weather. Large vehicles, like school buses, are harder to manage in bad weather, especially when there is low visibility or when the roads are slippery.
- A mechanical failure or defective part on the school bus.
- Poor school bus maintenance and upkeep.
- School bus driver errors, such as driving while distracted, speeding, or failing to stop at a crosswalk or stop sign.
- Other driver errors, such as drivers not following rules concerning school buses or school zone speed limits.
Common School Bus Accident Injuries
The injuries a child sustains in a school bus accident can vary depending on the specific situation and how bad the accident is. However, some of the most common injuries seen after these kinds of accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Bruising and lacerations
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back or spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
- Sprained or torn ligaments
School bus injuries can range from mild to severe. But no matter how minor or severe the injuries are, you have a right to file a claim against the guilty party to recover compensation to help you pay for your child’s medical expenses.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Child’s Injuries After an Indiana School Bus Accident?
If your child is injured in a school bus accident, you will need to file a personal injury claim against the guilty party to recover damages. However, discovering who was at fault is not always easy as multiple parties could potentially be held liable, including:
- The school bus driver
- The school district or owner of the school bus
- The school bus maintenance company or repair shop
- Another driver involved in the accident
As school bus accidents can involve multiple people and children and are considered very serious, there might be an investigation opened without you doing anything to determine what happened and who was at fault. However, you will likely still need a lawyer to defend your individual case to ensure your child is taken care of and gets the necessary compensation to help pay for their medical expenses.
Contact an Indiana School Bus Accident Lawyer After Your Child is Injured
At Crossen Law Firm, we understand how tragic and traumatizing school bus accidents can be. Our team of compassionate attorneys is dedicated to helping parents navigate such trying times and will do everything possible to ensure you receive a full and fair settlement for your child’s injuries and other losses.
The Crossen Law Firm team has over 20 years of experience helping victims like yourself and your child—we know what it takes to increase the value of your claim to ensure you get as much compensation as possible.
If your child is involved in a school bus accident, contact us on our website or call us today at (317) 401-8626 for a free consultation.
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