When you send your child off on the school bus, you obviously don’t expect them to suffer substantial harm, but school buses can be rather unsafe, and injuries are likely under certain circumstances. With that being said, if your child has sustained injuries on a school bus, speak with a qualified bus accident lawyer right away.
School Bus Injuries Happen Frequently
School buses can prove to be dangerous for children, especially since their parents are not there to protect them.
Given that larger school buses often make wide turns and that bus drivers sometimes stop short, children are more likely to move around in their seats. Sometimes, a particularly sharp turn or hard stop can even cause children to fall out of their seats or get thrown around.
Additionally, school bus accidents are particularly common, and they can often be catastrophic, causing your child extensive harm. Just some of the injuries that children face in school bus incidents include the following:
- Contusions
- Cuts and scrapes
- Fractures
- Internal injuries
- Head injuries
- Facial injuries
- Sprains and strains
As such, it is vital that children are provided with reliable seat belts aboard their school bus, but when safety features aren’t available, or if adults aren’t available to ensure everyone is strapped in safely, children are put at greater risk for injury.
Steps to Take After Your Child Has Been Injured on a School Bus
If your child has suffered an injury while riding in a school bus, it’s important to know what you can do. The following steps can help protect your rights and those of your children:
Ensure Your Child Receives Prompt Medical Attention
Your child’s health and well-being should always come first, and in the event of an accident, your child may receive emergency medical care at the scene. Regardless, you should not hesitate to take them to get a thorough physical examination by their primary physician or emergency room providers.
Pediatric injuries are often tricky, as children may not feel anything at the moment or be unsure of what they feel altogether. An examination with necessary diagnostic tests can reveal the extent of your child’s injuries so they can begin their healing journey with the appropriate medical treatment.
Document Your Child’s Injuries
Documentation is critical in bus injury cases. Take photos and videos of every visible injury your child sustains, and consider keeping a pain journal to document your child’s symptoms and medical treatment plan for future reference for your case.
Keep Relevant Documents
Additionally, you should keep any accident-related documents, including medical records and bills, as they may come in handy in the future and serve as evidence in your claim for compensation.
Consult With a Bus Accident Attorney
Bus accident cases can be challenging to handle alone, so as soon as you’re able, schedule a meeting with a skilled local lawyer to discuss your situation and receive qualified guidance and advice.
A bus accident lawyer can represent you and your child’s best interests, working diligently to ensure your case is handled timely and appropriately to secure fair monetary recovery.
If Your Child Is Injured on a School Bus, Don’t Wait to Take Action
Seeing your child suffer harm can be mentally and emotionally straining, and though you can’t turn back time and avoid the injuries, you can move forward and try to make sure you do what’s best for your child and their future.
When your child sustains injuries on a school bus, the personal injury attorneys at Kohan Law Group are here for you. We proudly serve clients throughout Nassau County, Long Island, so contact us today to schedule your consultation.
The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation and circumstances.