There is no question that the safest way for a child to get to school in Pennsylvania, Delaware or New Jersey is in a school bus, accidents do happen.
A school bus accident can lead to serious injuries, but an injury can occur on a school bus without an actual accident. Children can slip and fall while walking on the bus, can fall forward as the bus is moving or be injured as they are boarding or exiting the bus.
School Bus Accidents Are Complicated
Bus accidents can be very complicated as there may be multiple victims, severe injuries and questions regarding who was at fault. School buses are not required to have seatbelts due to the way the seats are designed, but this does not mean children cannot be injured.
Many accidents occur a bus stops and it is possible that the bus stop was designed poorly. If the bus is owned and operated by a public school, the rules for filing a personal injury claim are much different than if the bus is privately owned.
Responsibility for School Bus Accidents
Because there can be many reasons a school bus accident occurs, determining who is responsible can be difficult.
Some of the people who may be responsible in a school bus accident include:
- Another driver
- Bus maintenance or repair company
- Church or other organization operating the bus
- Parts manufacturer
- Private contractor
- Private school
- Public school district
- Roadway design, construction or maintenance governmental department
- School bus driver
- School bus manufacturer
- School district
Compensation for School Bus Accidents
If your child was injured in a school bus accident, you may be eligible for compensation for medical expenses, including those that your child will need in the future. You may be eligible for rehabilitation and therapy as well.
If your child’s injuries are severe, you may receive compensation for home health care, long-term care or special equipment along with home modifications necessary to accommodate disability. For traumatic injuries, you may qualify for disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, lost earning capacity, loss of enjoyment of life, diminished quality of life and more in the way of compensation.
If your child was injured in a school bus accident in Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware, contact the school bus accident attorneys at Lundy Law to learn what rights you may have. Our attorneys will work with the insurance companies and the parties responsible so you can focus on caring for your child. Arrange for your no obligation, initial consultation by completing the online form or call us at 1-800-Lundy Law.