3 Injured in School Bus Accident
According to two witnesses working at nearby businesses, it appeared an SUV pulling out of a parking lot had with the oncoming bus, causing the bus to then collide with the car.
School Bus Accident Statistics
- In 2008, 466 school bus accidents were reported in Arizona.
- 3 people were killed and 100 people were injured.
- Nationally, an average of 142 people are killed each year in school bus accidents.
- Of these people: 19 are school–aged children.
School Bus Safety
Parents across the nation rely on school buses to get their children to and from school safely. Bus accidents are one of the more common threats that school children face daily.School bus accidents can be caused by any number of things, including: poorly trained or inexperienced bus operators, distracted driving, poorly maintained buses, overcrowding, road defects, and other at–fault drivers that share the road with school buses.
But it’s not just the driving aspect that poses a threat to children. Almost three-quarters of children who are injured or killed by school buses are injured or killed while boarding or de–boarding the bus. Children can also be injured or killed in a pedestrian accident while waiting for a bus. This can happen at poorly visible or poorly placed bus stops, or also while crossing a street that does not have a school crossing guard or a marked safety zone.
Drivers and Parents - How To Keep Yourself Safe
There are ways to ensure yours and your children’s safety when it comes to school buses. Children should be taught “on-board” safety as well as safety when walking around a school bus. Drivers also need to take part in keeping children safe.
Drivers
- Watch for children that are walking or bicycling to or from school.
- Pay particular attention when exiting a driveway or garage.
- Pay particular attention to school zones.
- Children are often unaware or not paying attention, so it often falls to you to avoid an accident.
- Slow down and follow posted speed limits.
- Watch for children crossing or walking in the street. This is especially important in areas where there are no sidewalks or where there are known bus stops.
- Stay alert. Children can dart into the street without thinking twice.
- Learn and obey all school bus laws, including bus lights: Yellow lights mean a bus is preparing to stop and load or unload children. You should slow and prepare to stop. Red flashing lights mean a bus has stopped. Children will be loading or unloading. You must stop and wait until the lights stop flashing and the bus begins to move. It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus that has red flashing lights.
Children
- Try to be at the bus stop at least five minutes before your bus is scheduled to arrive. This way you won’t need to rush to get there.
- Stand at least 6 feet away from a bus as it arrives at the curb. This means 3 BIG steps.
- Wait for the driver to allow you to board the bus.
- If you have to walk in front of a bus, walking at least 10 feet in front of it so that the bus driver can see you clearly.
- Use the bus handrails to avoid falling or tripping. Secure loose items and be sure backpacks, drawstrings, clothing and other items do not get caught on the handrails or doors of the bus.
- Never walk behind a bus.
- Never walk beside a bus.
- Remain at least 6 feet away from a bus at all times unless you are boarding.
- Never attempt to retrieve an item dropped near or under a bus. If you must, first tell the driver so that they are aware of what you are doing.
Parents, it’s important that you talk to your children about bus safety. You should also ensure they understand the rules for riding on a bus, as well as the safety tips for being near and around school buses.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured during a bus ride, or involved in a bus accident, you should hire a personal injury attorney. This can be a critical step in protecting your rights. A personal injury attorney will thoroughly investigate the causes of the accident, determine who is responsible, and conduct a comprehensive review of your family member’s medical needs.
A personal injury attorney will examine the extent of your family member’s injuries, in addition to the possible long–term medical consequences. This is crucial when you are working to ensure your child’s or family member’s welfare and their future financial well–being.
