For many Americans, the image of the yellow school bus is an iconic element of typical academic life. Millions of students across the nation begin and end each school day by boarding the bus, and millions more have done the same for decades.
School buses are specifically designed to prioritize the safety of their young passengers, but that doesn’t mean that accidents can’t take place. If you or someone you know was injured in a motor accident involving a school bus, an experienced bus accident attorney can help you navigate the process of filing a claim and getting the compensation you deserve.
At The Fitch Law Firm, we have an experienced legal team with decades of experience in motor accidents, and we are committed to getting accident victims the justice they deserve.
Laws Specific to Ohio School Buses
Because school buses specialize in the transportation of students, they are obligated to follow specific laws that help ensure the safety of the children they carry.
Some of these laws are put in place to make the school buses stand out. For instance, the iconic yellow color of a school bus is more than aesthetic; it’s a safety measure that helps distinguish it on the roads.
To heighten visibility further, school buses are also obligated by law to be equipped with flashing red and amber lights, which you’ll often see alongside a stop sign attached to the bus itself (ORC).
One law dictates road behavior for not just the school bus driver, but also other motorists on the road. According to Ohio Revised Code § 4511.75, other vehicles on the road must stop when a school bus halts to drop off or pick up a student.
Every motorist must then wait until that child has safely made it off the road. It is illegal for any car, whether passing or approaching the bus, to continue forward, as it would pose a risk to students crossing the road to get on or off the bus. Failing to halt could incur a fine of up to $500 in Ohio — a hefty price to pay for impatience.
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What Causes Bus Accidents?
Unlike sedans or SUVs, school buses can face additional challenges on the road. Due to their bulky size, school buses have less maneuverability than typical cars, and they’re more likely to roll over in the event of a road accident. Collisions with a bus can also prove more dangerous due to the vehicle’s greater mass and weight.
Despite this, school buses remain one of the safest modes of transportation for students. In fact, students are 8 times safer riding a bus to school than they are riding in a car with their parent or guardian (NHTSA).
While there are many measures put in place to promote safety, injuries from school-bus-related accidents can still occur, but the data reveals that injuries are more likely to be sustained by other motorists than the school bus’s occupants.
According to the National Safety Council, of the people injured in school-bus-related crashes from 2014 to 2023, only 34% were school bus passengers, whereas 52% were occupants of other vehicles.
There are numerous reasons why a bus accident might occur, including:
- Speeding
- Confusion in heavily populated areas
- Road obstacles
- Distracted driving
- Improper bus maintenance and mechanical failures
- Drivers under the influence
Due to their size, school buses can cause considerable damage upon collision, and the sort of injuries these accidents produce can occur anywhere on the spectrum from bruising and cuts to traumatic brain injury.
Possible injuries from school bus accidents include:
- Cuts and bruising
- Concussions
- Whiplash
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Lacerations or amputations
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries
If you or your little one were involved in a school-bus-related accident, it’s important to seek medical attention even if you are feeling alright. Injuries can sometimes take hours or days before they become apparent to you, and it’s essential to seek treatment as early as possible.
Possible Liable Parties
Pinpointing who may be liable for the bus accident may not be an entirely straightforward endeavor. Determining who is responsible can depend on what caused the accident and can be further complicated by Ohio laws regarding liability.
- Bus Drivers: The operator may or may not be responsible for the accident if the cause of the accident was due to driver error or negligence.
- Bus Companies: The companies that own the buses are typically responsible for conducting vehicle inspections and maintaining them.
- Bus Manufacturers: Manufacturers may be liable if it is determined that the cause of the accident was a defect in the bus.
- Other Motorists: In some cases, the school bus accident is caused by the negligence of another driver on the road, and in that case, they would be held liable for the accident.
What about the school districts that employ bus drivers? Could they be held liable? This is where it gets tricky. Although in some cases, the employer can be held liable for the misconduct of their employees, school districts may possess a level of immunity that shields them from liability.
Determining fault and navigating the complex labyrinth of the law can become overwhelming. Still, an experienced school bus accident attorney can help alleviate the burden and aid you in understanding your legal options.
Filing a School Bus Accident Claim in Ohio
According to Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10, you have two years after your accident to file your claim. Acting quickly may positively affect the outcome of your case. The sooner you speak with a qualified bus accident lawyer, the sooner you can take legal action and begin fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Economic damages may include:
- Past medical bills and future medical expenses
- Physical therapy expenses
- Lost wages and lost income-earning capacity
- Property damage
Non-economic damages may include the following:
- Disability, disfigurement, or dismemberment
- Lost quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
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Contact the Fitch Law Firm for a Free Consultation
If you or your children have been injured in a school-bus-related accident, it’s crucial to reach out to a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. At The Fitch Law Firm, we can help you understand your legal rights, investigate the circumstances of your accident, and gather important information on your case.
Our legal team has decades of experience helping victims of motor vehicle accidents navigate the nuances of Ohio law, and we are committed to ensuring that at-fault parties are held accountable.
We understand how overwhelming it can be to navigate the claims process on your own, and we recognize the mental, emotional, and financial strain that accidents can cause.
Our attorneys will guide you through every step of the process, from initial consultation to settlement or trial. Contact us today at (614) 810-8074 or reach out through our website for a free, no-obligation consultation. Your recovery is our priority.
