When you send your children off to school, you have a right to believe they’ll be reasonably safe. Unfortunately, even a short commute on a school bus can result in tragedy. At Feinberg & Alban PC, our attorneys are determined to obtain justice for victims of school bus accidents, so that those who are harmed are compensated and changes will be made to prevent similar accidents in the future.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the decade from 2001 to 2010, there were 1,236 fatal school transportation accidents. While that is only one third of one percent of the total number of fatal crashes, it still represents too many wrongful deaths. School buses are subject to the same human error as passenger cars, but there are additional factors that make accidents more likely and potentially more dangerous. Problems related to bus driver error include:
School bus drivers can be distracted by unruly students who are loud, boisterous and even violent. For students there are additional risks of serious personal injury due to the fact that school buses have no seat belts. Head and neck injuries are common, even in low speed collisions.
School bus accidents can also result from equipment failure, either due to poor maintenance, overuse of equipment, or faulty design or manufacture.
There are also some rare instances where the driver has assaulted a student. In recent years, we have seen an explosion in these claims, particularly, in the area of sexual abuse.
The NHTSA reports that the majority of people injured in accidents involving school buses are not occupants of the school bus. They are occupants of other vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. Feinberg & Alban attorneys represent these injured parties zealously, building the strongest case possible for their recovery.
There are times when the owners and/or operators of the bus are private individuals, not employed by a municipality. This creates additional defendants with additional insurance. An attorney who is representing a victim of these accidents needs to pay attention to who is the entity owning, operating or maintaining the vehicle.
If you or your child has been injured in an accident with a school bus, Feinberg & Alban PC is prepared to help. Our Boston legal team provides reliable guidance and representation so that you can obtain maximum compensation for your losses. Call 617-232-5950 or contact us online to set up your free initial consultation and case evaluation.