What information is valuable for accident victims after a school bus crash in Alabama?
Alabama – February 5, 2021
An accident occurred in Mobile between a Mobile County Public School System bus and a truck. The police are investigating what may have caused the crash in front of Burns Middle School by Girby Road. At first glance the damages to the vehicles involved seemed minor, and there were no reports of life-threatening passenger injuries, or drivers of either vehicle. After a bus accident with the county school district, victims should consult with a bus accident attorney to guide them through possible damage recovery for latent injury from the crash.
School bus dangers and insurance.
In 2017, there were 73 school buses and 13 intercity buses involved in fatal crashes, the lowest numbers recorded since FARS began in 1975. School buses are designed to transport up to 40 students at a time. Because so many people could be injured if a school bus is involved in an accident, the potential cost of the accident is much higher. Increased liability coverage is needed and governed by Alabama state law requirements outlining the amount of liability coverage required for school bus insurance. Accident victims should contact experienced legal counsel familiar with damage recovery options. Damages may include economic and non-economic expense recovery.
Parties to legal action.
The persons that can be sued in a bus accident scenario are:
- Owner(s) of bus as employer,
- Driver of bus,
- Commercial insurer of bus,
- Regulatory agency supporting bus safety on issues of bus manufacturer and parts manufacturer,
- Licensing agencies of privately owned and public transit vehicles, city, county or state.
If an individual is hurt, or a loved one has been harmed because of a school bus accident, an experienced bus accident attorney can build a winning case for damage compensation.
Safety.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school buses are the safest vehicles on the road and children are safer taking buses to school than traveling by car. Approximately 4-6 school aged children die every year on school transportation, that amount is less than one percent of all nationwide traffic fatalities. Safety standards for school buses are higher than regular government controlled transit and private buses.
Federal regulations.
Federal regulations require other passenger vehicles to adhere to certain driving patterns and rules when riding near school buses, including:
- All traffic from both directions must stop on a two-lane roadway,
- All traffic from both directions must stop when school bus stops for passengers on a two-lane roadway with a center turning lane,
- All traffic from both directions must stop when a school bus stops for passengers on a four-lane roadway without a median strip,
- All traffic from both directions must stop when a school bus stops for passengers on a four-lane highway with a center turning lane,
- Only traffic following a bus must stop when on a divided highway of four lanes or more with a median strip,
- Decreasing speed when approaching school buses illustrates safety awareness.
Seek legal counsel.
A personal injury lawyer who has experience with complex insurance claims and bus accident litigation settlements can assist victims toward relief in the form of damage compensation. USAttorneys.com is a great resource to put individuals in touch with experienced bus accident lawyers who can answer questions and initiate legal action when it is required.
Sources.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ourroads/large-trucks-and-buses-numbers
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!