School Bus Accidents: Who is Responsible?

Lever & Ecker, PLLC June 22, 2012 Car Accidents

School bus accidents are particularly tragic events, since they often involve young children on their way to and from their classrooms. What makes news of a school bus accident even more devastating is the realization that many of these accidents could be prevented through additional caution by the bus driver, other motorists and the children themselves. Who is responsible in the event of a school bus accident? That depends on the specific details of the event.

Types of School Bus Accidents

There are a number of different types of school bus accidents that can occur, including:

Collisions, with stationery objects or other vehicles
Injuries by students getting onto or off of the bus
Accidents inside the bus, such as slip and falls

The type of accident will determine in part who can be held responsible for a student’s injuries.

Responsible Parties

While the bus driver might be the most commonly cited in school bus accidents, other possible individuals and entities that could be held responsible include:

Other motorists
The company that hires the bus driver
The company that manufactures the school buses
The passengers inside the bus

Determining Negligence

Accidents that are the result of negligence may warrant legal action on behalf of the injured party. Negligence might include faulty manufacturing of the bus, lack of driver training, or driver error. If you or your child has been injured in a school bus accident, contact a NY personal injury attorney experienced in these types of cases to find out if legal compensation should be pursued.

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