Back-to-School Bus Stop Accidents in Montgomery County: A Parent’s Guide to Your Child’s Legal Rights
Children returning to school often signal the beginning of fall and increased traffic on Montgomery County roads. With school bus routes, parent drop-offs, and children walking and biking to school, residential neighborhoods and bus stops can become increasingly dangerous for kids, especially during darker mornings.
If your child is injured at or near a school bus stop, you may have questions about who is responsible and what legal rights your child has. At Anthony C. Gagliano III, Esquire, P.C., our Montgomery County pedestrian accident lawyers understand how terrifying a bus stop accident can be and can work with you to determine what legal options you may have for any injuries your child experienced.
Common Bus Stop Accidents
Pennsylvania law requires drivers to stop at least 10 feet from a school bus when the bus’s lights are flashing, and the stop arm is extended. Drivers must also remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and the stop arm is withdrawn.
But despite these protections, bus stop accidents still occur. Children may be injured when a driver cannot see them while they are crossing the street to reach a bus. Or a driver may injure a child who is getting off a bus by attempting to pass illegally. Distracted drivers may not notice a child crossing an intersection or running to catch a last-minute bus. In all of these situations, a split-second mistake can lead to lasting injuries.
School Bus Accident Responsibility
Depending on the circumstances of an accident, many different parties may be legally liable for your child’s injuries. Certainly, a driver can be legally responsible. Still, school bus drivers, companies that contract for or provide school buses, and school districts themselves may also bear some responsibility for an accident. For example, where a school district fails to properly train drivers or maintain school buses so that their stop arms function, it may be responsible for any resulting injuries.
If you are considering legal claims against a public school district, it is important to know that this may require you to file an earlier claim and notify appropriate government officials. A Montgomery County pedestrian accident lawyer can help you to navigate the complexities of these types of claims.
What A Parent Can Do After an Accident
If your child is injured in an accident, there are several steps you can take to support a future legal claim. First, attempt to preserve as much evidence as possible about the accident and your child’s injuries, including medical records, statements from witnesses like a school bus driver or other children, photographs of your child’s injuries, police reports, and school records related to the accident.
Next, contact the Montgomery County pedestrian accident lawyers at Anthony C. Gagliano III, Esquire, P.C. Our lawyers are here to help. We can provide an overview of your legal options, work with you to contact the school district and insurance carriers, and advise you on possible legal claims. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us today.