Though bus accidents are relatively rare compared to other types of accidents, they still tend to occur on our roadways. Even the most highly-trained individual can become involved in an accident for a wide variety of reasons. Among bus accidents are those involving school buses, which can be particularly devastating due to the fact that they involve children. Less than 1% of fatalities occur from school buses and, though the rate of injuries is higher, children are incredibly safe as they travel to and from school on many occasions. When a school bus accident happens, you might therefore question how it occurred and what you can do as you move forward.
The most unfortunate aspect of any personal injury case involving a child is the fact that helping your child through this difficult time can prove to be a complex matter even when it should be streamlined and simple. There are many aspects you might not be familiar with when it comes to bringing a claim against a school or driver following one of these accidents so that your child can receive the compensation they deserve.
The Claims Process Following a School Bus Accident
When a child has been injured in an accident, making a claim might seem like a difficult feat, as you might ask yourself, “Who do I bring a claim against?” Many people might automatically assume that the driver of the school bus is liable but you might also find that the school district itself could be liable in these types of accidents.
Many parents might assume that it would then be easy to bring a claim against a school, but this is not always the case. Schools are part of a large public education system or state government, which means that you might have to cross many barriers, as schools sometimes receive certain legal protections. This doesn’t automatically mean that you won’t be able to file a lawsuit, but instead means that you will need to comply by certain rules. This means that you will have to ensure that you filed your lawsuit against the proper entity and that you comply with the strict statute of limitations put in place. You might have to file a Notice of Claim to ensure that your claim is actually heart and will proceed to either settlement or court.
Offering Legal Assistance to Your Child
As you might find, bringing a school bus accident claim on behalf of your child might not be the easiest process, but you still have many options. Your child might be suffering from a variety of injuries and emotions, but you as the parent are permitted to bring a legal claim on their behalf as you help them through this difficult time.
Our experienced attorneys at Antin, Ehrlich & Epstein are completely committed to your case and willing to help you through this difficult time in you and your child’s life. With over 75 years of experience, we can help you through every step of the claims process from the initial gathering of evidence to the final negotiations. Our bus accident attorneys are willing to listen to your case. Contact us for more information at 917-730-7151.