A school bus accident can be terrifying and tragic even though they are big in size. As a rule, riding a school bus is the safest way a child can get to school today. However, a school bus accident can result in multiple victims with multiple injuries.School buses must adhere to very strict laws for the safety of our children; however, about 80% of children are killed in school bus accidents when boarding or exiting the bus. Most children are small and hard to see; many are hit by careless drivers not paying attention to signals or their surroundings. Children dash out across the roads, they linger around and they sometimes fall.
Palm Desert Bus Accidents Attorney Lawyers of Coachella Valley
Motorists are expected to abide by flashing lights on a school bus and should not pass them until the lights stop. Drivers, however, become impatient and do not wait for the “all-clear” signal. School bus drivers are required to wait for the child to safely exit the bus and cross the road before signaling other drivers to move on.
Causes
Many school bus accidents happen because of driver negligence. However, because of school funding today, many schools choose to delay repairs on their buses to save a little money. Common causes of school bus accidents include:
- Driver negligence
- Faulty vehicles
- Bad weather conditions
- Construction zones
- Lack of seatbelts
On the good side, fatal injuries to school passengers are rare, but survivable injuries can be catastrophic. The interior of most buses offers little protection if the bus hits a pothole, let alone another vehicle.
If your child has been injured because of a school bus accident, you need to contact a skilled and qualified Palm Springs Bus Accident Attorney like Dale Gribow. He will thoroughly investigate your claim and see if you are eligible for compensation.