As we approach the end of August – – and the end of another sun-splashed summer – – thoughts begin to wander, with hesitation, back to the classroom. Pencils, backpacks, books and homework . . . they are all on the horizon. Summer will be over before you know it and the kids will be back at school. While “back to school” preparation is already in full swing for many parents, the serious personal injury lawyers at Block O’Toole & Murphy also want parents to focus on the dangers associated with young children returning to school. One of them undoubtedly includes school bus accidents.
School bus accidents place youngsters in obvious danger. A school bus accident can have dire consequences for a child like serious injury or death. Why do school bus accidents tend to occur? Common causes of school bus accidents include:
- Reckless Driving
- Pedestrians, Including Children, Not Paying Attention to their Surroundings
- Distracted Driving, Including Cell Phone Use
- Driver Inexperience
Parents need to talk with their children about safely crossing streets when they get on and off the school bus. Children, when feasible, should be accompanied by an adult and regularly look both ways before entering the road. Backpacks, lunchboxes or bags should be safely secured prior to a child walking in the street. Crosswalks should be used and maintaining eye contact with the bus driver should be emphasized. Similarly, bus drivers need to operate a school bus with the understanding that children’s safety is at stake. They clearly don’t have the experience of adults and the drivers should proceed accordingly. School bus drivers should expect the unexpected.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a school bus accident, whether as a pedestrian, a passenger of the bus or in another vehicle, you have legal rights. You should strongly consider consulting with an experienced and talented personal injury trial lawyer to protect your rights. The serious personal injury trial lawyers at Block O’Toole & Murphy have a long and proud history of helping seriously injured victims. With over $700,000,000 in verdicts and settlements, these serious personal injury lawyers have the track record that insurance companies respect and fear. To learn more about Block O’Toole & Murphy, please see the firm website at www.blockotoole.com. For a free consultation with these serious personal injury trial lawyers, you can call 212-736-5300.