• From January to March 2007 there were 108 school bus accidents.
• There are about 450,000 school buses transporting more than 23.5 million students to and from school everyday. (4.3 billion miles a year)
• On average, 17 pedestrians are killed each year by school buses. More than have of the pedestrians were between the ages of 5 and 7.
• Three states -- New York, New Jersey and Florida -- currently require two-point lap belts on large school buses over 10,000 lbs.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 96 percent of the estimated 8,500 to 12,000 children injured in school bus accidents annually are considered minor (scrapes, bumps, bruises, etc.). (STN)
• NHTSA calculated that 4 percent of the school bus-related injuries to children, about 350 to 475 annually, are serious (i.e. broken bones or worse) based on the medical community's widely accepted AIS or Abbreviated Injury Scale. (STN)

School bus accidents are amongst the most tragic of all motor vehicle accidents due to the inherent involvement of young children. As a result, substantial damages are often at issue in cases of this type, and vigorous representation is required to bring all responsible parties to justice.
A school bus-related crash is an accident that either directly or indirectly involves a school bus-type vehicle, or a vehicle functioning as a school bus, transporting children to or from school or school-related activities.

Since 1991, 1,479 people have died in school bus-related crashes — an average of 134 fatalities per year.

Do I have a case?

Motor-vehicle accidents are generally decided using the law of negligence. A person who negligently operates a motor vehicle may be required to pay damages caused by their negligence, either to persons or property. Generally, people who operate motor vehicles must exercise “reasonable care under the circumstances.” Failure to do so is the basis of most lawsuits for damages caused by an automobile accident.

Some, but not all, of the factors courts look to in determining negligence are:

• Speeding, or driving too slow
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Failing to signal while turning
• Disregarding weather or traffic conditions
• Disobeying traffic signs or signals
• Failing to drive on the right side of the road
• Intentional or reckless conduct

What can I do?

As you can see, there are many factors that may contribute to motor-vehicle accidents. For your personal safety, and the safety of your child, you should always wear a seatbelt and insist that every passenger in your vehicle buckle-up. This could not only save your life and the lives of others, but may have a direct impact on the compensation you receive.

As in all automobile accident cases, it is essential that measures be taken to promptly preserve evidence to help investigators determine negligence and responsibility. If you or your child has sustained injuries, physicians and other experts can utilize this information to thoroughly evaluate your medical condition.

If you, or a loved one have been the victim of a school bus accident, please contact The Plymale Partnership, LLP at (614) LAW-8000 / (800) 221-6675. Our initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds on your behalf. You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.

Parent and Student Resources

STNOnline

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration School Bus Safety Info for Kids

School Bus Safety Web

To see if you have a valid claim for a School Bus Accident and to have a qualified attorney set up a private consultation to review the circumstances of your case, click on the button below.