According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 25 million students are in school with an average of 500,000 school buses on the roads. While school buses are statistically one of the safest modes of transportation, more than twice as many children are killed while getting on or off school buses than while riding in them. Preventable School Bus Accident

A 12-year-old girl was hit by a school bus in a South New Jersey middle school parking lot. She was walking across the parking lot which had no designated lines for pedestrian paths and no cross walks. She was run over by the rear tire of a school bus as it came around a loop. She suffered multiple fractures and serious internal injuries.

The bus driver was not faulted. The girl was walking between two cars.

At fault was the school district for failing to provide a parking lot with visibly designated markings; failing to provide appropriate cross walks; and failing to provide a school safety plan for bus arrivals and departures.

“This case, on first blush, appeared to be one of a careless child darting out between parked cars and running into the side of a bus, causing her own injuries”, states Larry Cohan, counsel for the victim.

“After careful analysis, and expert review, it became apparent that this child was a victim of bad planning and bad design by her school. Had there been proper crosswalks, a safety plan and supervision, this child would not have even been crossing where she was, and the incident would not have occurred. The irresponsible school officials, who created this danger, were clearly negligent, and the school was required to pay for their failures.”

The girl received a substantial settlement. Through extensive medical care and physical therapy, she is recovering.

School budget and school districts in many states are frequently in dire straits and are forced to make choices in how their limited funds are expended. Somehow the important issue of school bus safety goes to the back of the bus and doesn’t get addressed.

School Bus Safety Problems

In 2002, 26 children were killed as pedestrians getting on or off a school bus, or while waiting at the school bus stop. Other motorists illegally passing a stopped school bus remain a problem in every community and the school bus industry urges stricter police and judicial enforcement against violators.

School buses always are operated by drivers with a Commercial Drivers License (CDL), required by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and who have received special school bus driver training required by states. In addition, no one can drive a school bus without first passing drug and alcohol screening and required law enforcement background checks.

There is no safer way to transport a child than in a school bus. Fatal crashes involving school bus occupants are rare events, even though school buses drive a remarkable 8.8 billion students to and from school annually. Every school day, some 500,000 yellow school buses transport more than 25 million children to and from schools mostly without a serious incident.

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Buses generally thought to be a safe method of travel; after all, they are significantly larger than other vehicles on the road and many buses do not even come equipped with seat belts. A study by the National Bus Safety Council between the years 1987 and 1996 found 4.3 bus rider fatalities per year compared to 44,000 passenger vehicle fatalities over the same time frame. However, buses are involved in an alarming number of crashes, many of which prove fatal. Public transportation buses also frequently are involved in accidents leading to injury and death. Accidents involving school children have prompted many school districts to re-outfit school buses with seat belts, even though many states still do not require school buses to have seat belts.
Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) reveals that 5,212 deaths in 2005 were caused by crashes involving large trucks and that 91,824 injuries were a result of crashes involving large trucks.
Who is at Fault for Bus Accidents?
Because buses can carry large numbers of people and often are cumbersome to drive, it is important that bus drivers are well-trained and qualified for the job. A bus driver can be held at fault for causing an accident. However, bus accident lawsuits are not always clear because state and federal laws differ in who they say is at fault for such accidents. “Common carriers” are defined as being someone whose business is transporting people or material items from one place to another for compensation; such services typically are open to the public.
Common carriers, which include commercial bus companies, are governed federally and by most state governments, and the drivers of these vehicles are required to have adequate training and equipment to complete their duties. Bus drivers consequently are subjected to strict standards for their performance and can be found at fault in bus accidents. However, the involvement of insurance companies and contractors in accident legal proceedings make questions of who is at fault much more complex. Because state governments are involved in establishing their own common carrier regulation, bus accident litigation action can vary widely from state to state.
Finding an experienced lawyer who is familiar with the common carrier laws of the area in which the accident took place and insurance policies regarding bus accidents is highly advisable.
What Should Be Done in the Event of a Bus Accident?
- If no law enforcement is present at the scene, immediately file an accident report with the police, sheriff, or highway patrol.
- Be sure to record the name, address, insurance information, vehicle license number, and driver’s license number of everyone who was involved in the accident. Also obtain names and contact information from any witnesses.
- Take photographs of the accident scene, of all vehicles involved, and any injuries to victims of the accident.
- Do not discuss the accident or any injuries you suffered with anyone other than your doctor or lawyer.
- Do not agree to making a recorded statement or sign any document that you have not first reviewed with your lawyer.
- Immediately seek medical treatment and be sure to tell your doctor how your injury occurred and about any pain from which you may be suffering.
Should I Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer?
In the event of a bus accident, it can be incredibly beneficial to have the counsel of an experienced bus or auto accident attorney. If you or someone you know has been injured in a bus accident and believe someone else may be at fault, use the auto accident attorney information request form on this page to get in touch with an expert auto accident attorney or law firm in your area today!

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Buses are generally thought to be a safe method of travel; after all, they are significantly larger than other vehicles on the road and many buses do not even come equipped with seat belts. A study by the National Bus Safety Council between the years 1987 and 1996 found 4.3 bus rider fatalities per year compared to 44,000 passenger vehicle fatalities over the same time frame. However, buses are involved in an alarming number of crashes, many of which prove fatal. In the last week, school bus accidents causing injury have occurred in Massachusetts, New York, Michigan and Wisconsin. Public transportation buses also frequently are involved in accidents leading to injury and death; a Washington, D.C. woman recently was hit and killed by a Metro bus, becoming the fifth fatality in eight months in the D.C. area from bus accidents. Accidents involving school children have prompted many school districts to re-outfit school buses with seat belts, even though many states still do not require school buses to have seat belts. Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) reveals that 5,212 deaths in 2005 were caused by crashes involving large trucks and that 91,824 injuries were a result of crashes involving large trucks.

Finding Blame in Bus Accidents?

Bus drivers must be extremely qualified and well-trained as they are responsible for large numbers of people and keeping control of an unwieldy vehicle. A bus driver can be held responsible for initiating an accident. However, bus accident lawsuits are not always clear because state and federal laws differ in who they say is at fault for such accidents. “Common carriers” are defined as being someone whose business is transporting people or material items from one place to another for compensation; such services typically are open to the public. Common carriers, which include commercial bus companies, are governed federally and by most state governments, and the drivers of these vehicles are required to have adequate training and equipment to complete their duties. As a consequence of this, the performance of bus drivers are held to exacting standards and they can be found to be accountable in bus accidents. However, the involvement of insurance companies and contractors in accident legal proceedings make questions of who is at fault much more complex. Common carrier regulations vary widely from state to state because the state governments are involved, and therefore, legal action in bus accidents can change greatly between states. Finding an experienced lawyer who is familiar with the common carrier laws of the area in which the accident took place and insurance policies regarding bus accidents is highly advisable.

What Should Be Done in the Event of a Bus Accident?

- If no law enforcement is present at the scene, immediately file an accident report with the police, sheriff, or highway patrol.

- Be sure to record the name, address, insurance information, vehicle license number, and driver’s license number of everyone who was involved in the accident. Also be sure to obtain contact information and full names of any witnesses.

- Take pictures of all vehicles involved in the accidents, any injuries sustained in the accident, and the accident scene.

- Do not discuss the accident or any injuries you suffered with anyone other than your doctor or lawyer.

- Do not agree to making a recorded statement or sign any document that you have not first reviewed with your lawyer.

- Immediately seek medical treatment and be sure to tell your doctor how your injury occurred and about any pain from which you may be suffering.

Should I Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer?

Having the guidance of a professional bus or auto accident lawyer can be advantageous in the case of a bus accident. If you or someone you know has been injured in a bus accident and believe someone else may be at fault, use the auto accident attorney information request form on this page to get in touch with an expert auto accident attorney or law firm in your area today!

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Each year approximately 450,000 children are transported by bus to and from school. On average 137 school bus fatalities and 17,000 are injured each year in bus accidents. To the families of these loved ones the bus accidents are not just mere statistics.

In Florida, there are two classifications for buses that are used for reporting purposes.

1. A vehicle with seats for the driver plus 9 to 15 passengers.
2. A vehicle with seats for more than 15 passengers.

Buses are also commonly used for public transportation, charter tours, and taking people to and from sporting events. All buses and their drivers are held to a high standard of safety due to the number of passengers in their care. Strict licensing and other regulations help to ensure qualified drivers sit behind the wheel.

When you ride a bus, either as a student, or as a paying passenger, you expect to be transported safely. As a common carrier, bus companies are responsible for ensuring your safety as you travel. Orlando has a high ratio of buses servicing hundreds of miles surrounding the various amusement parks and other tourist hot spots.

When a bus accident occurs, the bus driver is usually well represented by the bus company. Bus companies will spend a lot of time and money protecting their drivers and themselves from costly litigation. If you are involved in a bus accident, it is important to keep track of all the details of the incident to ensure that any action you chose to take is well documented.

Involved in a Bus Accident?

Some steps you should take if you are involved in a bus accident include:

* Seek medical attention. Even if you are not seriously hurt, you should consult with a physician just to make sure. This will also help you establish any personal injury that you received as a result of the bus accident.
* Take notes. If you can, write down all the pertinent information pertaining to the accident including the drivers name, the bus number, witnesses, and any recollections you may have. If you do file a suit, it could be years later before it goes to court and your memory may be unclear.
* Contact an experienced bus accident attorney. In many states, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is four years. It is best to seek out an experienced bus accident attorney prior to that time to help you determine if you have a case or not.

You may have noticed that most buses do not have seat belts of any sort. According to the National Coalition for School Bus Safety, Florida is one of five states that have implemented safety belt requirements for school buses. Given the helplessness victims in a bus accident feel, it seems to make sense to at least provide lap and shoulder safety belts in buses. This simple step could save hundreds of lives and reduce the number of serious personal injuries and deaths each year if made available to bus passengers.

If you or a loved one was in a bus accident in Baltimore or anywhere in Maryland, please visit the website of The Yost Legal Group today.

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Question: When I meet my personal injury lawyer for the first time, are there any particular documents I should bring with me?

Answer: You should supply your attorney with as much information as possible.  If your attorney has more information, he will be better able to properly advise you of your legal rights.  You need to bring in all documents pertaining to your case.  The accident report is a very important document that you should bring your attorney. 

  Also, if you have any eye witness statements or medical records or reports from your doctors, you should bring those to your lawyer.  If you have any photographs of the accident or of your injury, please bring those to the attorney meeting.  If you don’t have the documentation, your attorney may collect the documents for you.

Question: What type of information will the attorney request at the initial consultation concerning my Rhode Island personal injury or automobile accident case?

Answer: Your attorney will request general information related to your medical treatment.  The attorney will attempt to compile a list of the name and address of all treating physicians and medical providers.  This includes physical therapists, chiropractors, visiting nurses and other medical providers.  The attorney may also ask you for a list of prior medical providers.

Question: What usually happens at the first consultation:

Answer: The personal injury lawyer that you have selected will tell you whether you have a valid legal claim.  If you decide to hire that lawyer, then the lawyer will request that you sign a retainer agreement.  The retainer agreement is an important legal document which a lawyer is required to obtain.  At the initial consultation, it is extremely difficult for your lawyer to tell you the value of your case.  The value of your case is dependent on many circumstances which include the amount of your medical bills, and the nature and extent of any pain and suffering.  The value may be depend on whether or not your injury is permanent, whether or not there were periods of partial or complete disability, whether or not there was any disfigurement, scarring or other physical injury and the amount of your lost wages, etc.

  After you have completed treatment or have reached a certain point in your medical treatment, the lawyer will provide a settlement demand with all relevant medical records and documentation to the insurance adjuster.  If the insurance company believes the claim has merit and the insurance adjuster and the attorney can agree on a figure, then the case will be settled out of court.  Despite the fact that the attorney will attempt to settle the case, the attorney will be preparing the case for court in the event that the case does not settle.

Question: What is necessary to have a valid personal injury case?

Answer: If you were injured as a result of another person’s or entity’s negligence or intentional act, then you have a potential personal injury cause of action.  It is not  always required to have a physical injury to bring a personal injury lawsuit.  A personal injury lawsuit can be pursued based on the diminution of your reputation or an intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Question: What exactly is a settlement in a personal injury case?

Answer: If you settle a Rhode Island personal injury car accident or slip and fall case, you are agreeing to accept a sum of money in exchange for either not pursuing a personal injury case against the person or entity or dismissing a personal injury case against a person or entity.  If the case settles, you will need to sign a release releasing any parties of any potential future liability.  In order to determine whether or not you should accept a personal injury settlement, your attorney needs to assess the amount of damages you have suffered, the likelihood of prevailing at trial, and any other factors that the attorney deems appropriate. 

  A settlement can be reached at any time prior to the filing of the lawsuit or after the lawsuit is filed and any time up until the jury’s verdict.  The case can even be settled after the trial if the case is on appeal. 

  At Slepkow, Slepkow & Associates, Inc. it is our firm philosophy that it is the client’s decision on whether or not to accept a personal injury settlement.  We will certainly help you in making that determination by providing all of the essential information and answering any relevant questions that you have.  We often will give our recommendation as to whether or not a settlement is fair.  We always let our clients make the final decision whether or not to accept a personal injury or auto accident settlement.

Question: What if I am unhappy with the lawyer who is handling my case?  In Rhode Island, do I have the right to obtain a new lawyer?  If I obtain a new lawyer who will pay for the legal services rendered by the old attorney?

Answer: In Rhode Island (RI), if you are dissatisfied with your attorney’s legal representation, you have the right to obtain a new attorney at any time.  Your old attorney may have a statutory lien against your personal injury case.   If you prevail or the case is settled, your old attorney will have a right to be paid for the legal services that he provided you.  However, you will not be required to pay the old attorney upon obtaining a new attorney.  When your case is settled or when you receive funds as a result of a verdict, the old and the new attorney will equitably divide the contingent legal fee.  In other words, it will cost you no additional funds, if you retain a new attorney.  The old and new attorneys must come to an agreement as to the equitable share to be received by the old attorney.

Question: Is it a good idea to wait a period of time before I hire an attorney?

Answer: You should contact a Rhode Island personal injury attorney immediately after the accident.  It is not a good idea for a person to be dealing with the insurance adjuster concerning their personal injury or car accident claim.

Question: Am I required to give a recorded statement to the insurance company upon their request?

 Answer: There is no legal requirement for you to give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster.  However, if the insurance company is your own insurance company, you may be contractually obligated to give a recorded statement.  You should not give any statement unless you have legal representation present and you should acquire a copy of the transcript.

Question: What types of cases are typically handled on a contingent fee basis?

Answer: Car/auto accidents, slip & fall, trip & fall, premises liability, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, boating accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, uninsured or  underinsured, motorist claims, intentional infliction of emotional distress, dog bite claims, etc

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