School Bus Accident Lawyers
Due to the ever increasing congestion on our roadways and highways commuters are using rapid transit and public transportation more and more each year. In accordance with the growing number of people using buses as their main source of transportation, the number of injuries and deaths resulting from bus accidents is also rising.
23.5 million elementary and secondary school children ride school buses daily throughout the United States, twice a day. Many of those school buses do not have restraint systems or seatbelts. 12,000 of those children are injured each year in school bus accidents. Although the majority of the injuries are minor, some are catastrophic and as many as 11 children a year die as a result of a school bus accident.
Bus accidents and school bus accidents often result in serious personal injuries or death. Bus accidents can be caused by such contributing factors as driver negligence, inadequate security, dangerous roadways, weather conditions, negligence, defective products and improper maintenance, among others.
If you have been injured as the result of a bus accident or your child has been injured in a school bus accident, either as a passenger of the bus, pedestrian or driver or passenger of another vehicle involved in the accident, you may be able to file a claim against the bus company to recover for your damages. If you were a passenger on a bus that was involved in an accident, the bus company, whether public or private, owes you the “utmost duty of care” associated with being a common carrier. This “duty of utmost care” is higher than the negligence duty owed by the bus company to drivers of other vehicles and pedestrians.
If you have been seriously injured in an accident involving a bus or school bus, you need the advice of an experienced bus accident injury lawyer. Claims for damages against a public entity or governmental entity are complex and have strict time limitations. The laws are complex and vary greatly dependant upon the circumstances surrounding the accident.