Your child was injured in a school bus accident on the way home from school. It is a call you never want to receive as a parent. You rush to the hospital, where your child is given emergency medical treatment.
You are glad that doctors were able to perform this treatment and that your child will recover, but it is still going to be very expensive. Who is responsible for your child’s injuries? Who is liable for damages, like medical bills or even the pain and suffering your child endured?
The bus driver
To start with, the bus driver themselves may be responsible if they made a mistake and caused the accident. The same could be true for the driver of another vehicle if they struck the bus. If a semi-truck ran a red light and hit the bus, for example, that truck driver would be liable.
The school or school district
Additionally, the school itself, or the school district in which it is incorporated, could be responsible. There may be some liability for the actions that their employee took while working as a bus driver. You may also be able to demonstrate some level of negligence. For instance, perhaps the school district did not hire trained drivers or did not screen candidates closely enough, and the negligence meant that your child was at greater risk.
The bus manufacturer
In some cases, the accident may have been due to a malfunction. Perhaps the bus was defective or certain mechanical systems failed, causing the accident. The manufacturer could be responsible for such a crash.
Seeking financial compensation
At the end of the day, it is important to carefully consider all of these sources for compensation. Take the time to look into all of your legal options moving forward.