One an average, over 450,000 school students use the school bus to commute back and forth to school on a daily basis. Most parents give little thought to the possibility of their children being injured or killed in an accident while riding the school bus. The stark reality however, is that school bus accidents take place more often then we care to admit. The injury and death of children is the greatest casualty of another driver’s negligence that leads to an accident.

The following statistics are disturbing:

• Since 1990, over 1,400 fatalities were caused by school bus accidents
• Nearly 17,000 children suffer from injuries caused by school bus accidents. Most of those injuries are so severe that they end up in the emergency room
• Nearly one half of all deaths caused by school bus accidents occur between 3 and 4 pm.

Why School Bus Accidents Occur

School buses have less maneuverability than smaller vehicles. They drive slower than most vehicles around them. That being said, buses are no different than any other vehicle in that it can roll and cause unspeakable damage if involved in an accident. The injury factor is greater for occupants on a bus than a small car because they don’t have seatbelts and therefore have nothing keeping them from being thrown from their seats during an accident. The following are the most common reasons school bus accidents occur:

• Dangerous driving conditions
• Road Design & Defects
• Careless Driving
• Malfunctioning school bus
• Insufficient upkeep of the school bus
• Inattentive driver

Physical Injury Incurred in Bus Accidents

Injuries caused to children by school bus accidents can range from minor cuts to life-threatening hemorrhage. The exorbitant cost of medical care including surgery, and long-term rehabilitation can financially cripple the family.

Common school bus accident injuries include:

• Internal bleeding
• Brain injuries
• Severe skin burns
• Lacerations
• Spinal injuries

It’s not advisable to try to handle these cases without legal representation. Cases involving bus accidents are very complicated and can at times be difficult to prove guilt. The potentially guilty parties whether it be the bus driver, the bus company, the bus manufacturer, or another third party will no doubt have legal representation. An injury lawyer experienced in school bus accidents can help your family receive financial compensation for medical bills, money lost from time off work, and other financial damages.