The large orange-yellow school bus is an iconic symbol of formative years, as almost all children rode on one either to and from school or at the very least, to certain school functions. While a child would not question whether it was the safest mode for them to be transported in, parents cannot help but wonder if they truly are a safe option. With all the distractions that can happen on a bus, are school buses really safer than cars? Safety Features As far as outside safety features go, school buses are as safe as they come. Built with reinforced side panels, a bright, recognizable color and even equipped with a stop sign and flashing lights, they are large, safe, well built vehicles. There has been concern over the years, as seat belts have become standard and even the law in most states, that school buses should also have seat… Continue Reading
Category Archives: School Bus Accidents
Subscribe to School Bus Accidents RSS FeedBack-To-School Reminder From A Personal Injury Lawyer: Bus Safety
Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents, School Bus AccidentsIt is that time again, when children in newly bought “school clothes” and backpacks clamber on to the school bus and head off to start another school year. Before they climb up the steps onto the bus, parents need to remind their kids of how to be safe while riding the bus and bus drivers need to be ready to keep them safe. Getting On And Off The Bus Board the bus one at a time. Children need to be patient and wait for the bus driver to give the ok for them to board. Once it is safe, each child should board one at a time. Carry loose items in a bag. Make sure children keep all their items in their bag or backpack. Stopping to pick up dropped items can be hazardous. If they do drop an item getting on or off the bus, they should ask the… Continue Reading
Disabled Children Remain At Risk For Injury Due To Negligent Medical Transportation
Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents, School Bus AccidentsFor physically disabled children, specialized medical transportation is a way of life in order to get to school and appointments. The specialized vehicles and drivers are intended to assure each child’s safety— particularly if they are confined to a wheelchair or require accompanying medical equipment to accompany them. Medical transport vans, buses, or Medi-cars provide an essential role in both the physical and emotional well-being of these special needs children as they allow them to live as ‘normal’ lives as possible. Despite the good intentions of many medical transportation providers to provide safe transportation for handicapped children, I continually see already disabled children suffer horrible– and completely needless injured due to staffing errors and defective equipment on these handicapped vehicles. Having litigated and settled cases involving medical transportation injuries, I tend to see most of the cases stemming from the following: Dropped passengers Passengers injured due to reckless driving Wheelchair… Continue Reading
Did Sloppy School Bus Driving Cause Crash & Injuries To Children?
Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents, School Bus AccidentsA school bus driver forgot one of the tenants of good winter driving– keeping an adequate distance between vehicles– when he swerved the bus to avoid hitting another car that apparently lost control. The bus landed in a ditch on the side of the road injuring six of the children inside. The six injured children were transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center. While I’m not certain of the specifics surrounding this particular school bus crash, many bus accidents are due to the negligence of the bus driver. Particularly in icy weather, it is crucial for school bus drivers to use extreme care as their large vehicles require far greater distance to stop and maneuver. School Bus Accidents School buses and other types of pupil transportation account for an amazing — 10 Billion rides to and from school every year. Considering how many students are transported and the number of trips… Continue Reading
School Bus Accident Demonstrates Why Drivers Need To Protect Children From Unexpected Injuries
Posted in School Bus AccidentsA freaky and downright scary news story caught my attention regarding a Louisiana school boy who was thrown from an open door of a school bus– should cause us to pause and reconsider the type of people who are driving our kids to and from school everyday. Apparently the five-year-old was thrown from the open accordion door to the street pavement as the driver was in the process of making a turn. The school bus driver had forgotten to shut the door of the bus after he had opened it to check a railroad crossing. It wasn’t until other drivers saw the boy laying on the pavement that the bus driver stopped– or even realized that the boy had been thrown out of the bus. Thankfully, the boy received relatively only minor injuries in this questionable incident. Certainly, had the other vehicles in the area not seen the boy, this… Continue Reading
School Bus Safety: Is It Time To Make Seat Belts Mandatory In School Buses?
Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents, School Bus AccidentsWe insist on seat belt use in cars, airplanes and most other vehicles where we transport children— yet the overwhelming majority of school buses on the roads today are not equipped with either a lap belt or shoulder harness. When you consider the fact that millions of children use school buses as transportation for both school and non-school related activities this is downright shocking. A recent collision on a highway in the St. Louis area highlights the importance of not just installing sealt belts—but also taking a hard look at school bus safety altogether. The collision involved two school buses that were transporting high school students to an amusement park. While passing though a work-zone, two vehicles traveling in front of the buses failed to adequately slow-down setting off a chain reaction of rear end collisions that the school buses were part of. The results proved catastrophic. One child was… Continue Reading