Philadelphia School Bus Accident Lawyer

When parents send their children to school, the last thing they expect is an injury – let alone a fatal accident. Sadly, thousands of young students receive injuries each year. There are countless hazards on and off school grounds.

Ciccarelli Law Offices, we are here to help when you need a Philadelphia school bus accident attorney by your side. We understand the challenges associated with these claims, but we will step in and handle all communication and negotiation on your behalf. Let our accident lawyers in Philadelphia help you recover the compensation and closure your family needs after a school bus accident.

Why Choose A Philadelphia School Bus Accident Lawyer From Ciccarelli Law Offices?

At Ciccarelli, We have a deep understanding of the complexities involved with personal injury claims, including claims involving commercial vehicles and school buses.

• Our team has a significant track record of success, having secured major settlements and jury verdicts on behalf of clients throughout Philadelphia.
• We will be by your side from step one all the way through to a personal injury trial if that is what it takes to recover the compensation you need.
• We put our clients first, which means you will have a dedicated contact person at our firm so you can ask questions about your case at any time.

Negligence and School Injuries

Schools must meet remarkably high standards to keep students safe. Most facilities have detailed policies about bringing weapons to school, which they must strictly enforce. Even old and unsafe furniture or outdated equipment that leads to an injury may be grounds for civil action. Of course, this extends beyond the school’s property; when children get on or off a bus, faculty members must do everything possible to protect these young pupils.

Like other academic equipment, many school buses are outdated and inherently unsafe. When this happens, modern safety features, like seatbelts, gate arms, and sturdy side panels may not protect students. These vehicles also travel thousands of miles each year, and there are many areas school faculty and staff must carefully monitor.

School Bus Accident Injuries 

There are various types of injuries that can occur as a result of a school bus accident, both to those on board the school bus and those in other vehicles affected.

Individuals on a school bus affected by an accident could sustain more severe injuries than anticipated because, in almost all situations, seat belts are not required on school buses. One of the main injuries school bus occupants encounter is whiplash, which is when the upper body, head, and neck get whipped around by the force of the incident, impacting muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

However, a more severe school bus accident could lead to injuries such as lacerations, puncture wounds, broken or dislocated bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord trauma, and more.

Individuals in vehicles aside from the bus have other challenges to worry about. School buses are very large, particularly when compared to smaller passenger vehicles. These smaller vehicles could sustain severe damage, depending on the speed of the incident and where the vehicle impacts the school bus. Vehicle occupants can sustain all of the same types of injuries as those inside the bus and may indeed be more susceptible to sustaining severe injuries as a result of the incident.

Any individual affected by a school bus accident must seek medical treatment immediately. Parents and guardians, make sure your child is evaluated by a trusted medical professional soon after the incident occurs so they can work to determine if there are any hidden injuries not immediately seen. Seeking immediate medical care helps establish a solid timeline between the school bus accident and any injuries that arise, which will help with any eventual injury claims against another party.

School Bus Accident Statistics

In Pennsylvania alone, 369 vehicle crashes occurred in 2014. Due to the high profile of these vehicles and their precious cargo, the state has enacted many laws to keep traveling students safe. For example, other drivers must obey school bus lights and stop signs. Bus drivers must follow dozens of regulations – including not texting or talking on a phone while driving.

Here are a few everyday hazards your child faces when he or she steps foot on a bus:

• Road accidents: Buses are not aerodynamic. With a big and heavy frame, they are especially prone to roll overs. In addition, most states (including Pennsylvania) do not require seatbelts in school buses. These problems often exacerbate already dangerous streets; just like any other collision, if a driver was speeding, intoxicated, or distracted, he or she may be sued to cover damages beyond the scope of insurance.
• Slips and falls: With dozens of excitable children minimally supervised, there is plenty of room for common accidents like slips and falls. Rainy days and inclement weather increase the chance for accidents.
• Pedestrian accidents: Students are at a much higher risk of a vehicle striking them while they walk to or from a bus than experiencing a roadway collision. Whenever students are boarding or exiting these vehicles, school personnel must keep them safe.

For example, a bus driver and school can be liable if the driver doesn’t extend the stop sign to warn drivers about exiting children. Buses also collide with students waiting to be picked up.

The consequences of a school bus accident are typically severe. For example, amputations, life-impacting brain injuries, and even death are common results. While the drivers, teachers, and anyone else charged with monitoring your children must do everything possible to keep them safe, some accidents are just that. However, when these professionals breach their duties and a student is injured, they may have to pay for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Who Is Liable In A Philadelphia School Bus Accident?

School bus accidents are considered complex claims that typically involve multiple plaintiffs or defendants. Depending on how the accident initially occurred, there may be additional liable parties individuals would not typically think about for a vehicle accident, including a school bus passenger. Additionally, school buses are not always owned by a school district, and they are often maintained by third parties.

Some of the most likely liable parties after a school bus accident include the following:

• Bus driver. The school bus driver could be held liable if they fail to follow traffic laws, operate the vehicle recklessly, drive while distracted or impaired, or engage in some other type of negligent driving behavior.
• School district. The school district will ultimately be held responsible for the actions of their employees, including the school bus driver. The school district, school board, or other supervisors may also be named in a lawsuit, particularly if they fall within the chain of command of school bus operations.
• Bus operation company. If a school district does not operate and maintain its own buses, then the company that does so could be held liable for an accident.
• Bus or parts manufacturer. If a defective vehicle or part of a vehicle contributed to the accident, then the bus or parts manufacturer could be held responsible for the accident.
• Government entity. Pennsylvania State law regulates the safe operation of school buses and mandates inspections. If inspectors miss an issue with a school bus that then gets into an accident, this could lead to the government entity holding some liability.
• Other motorists. If the actions of other motorists on the roadway cause a bus accident, then they may be held liable for the accident.

No two school bus accident claims are alike, and we strongly encourage you to reach out to a skilled attorney who has experience handling complex injury claims. Your attorney can examine the case and help advise about which parties could be held liable.

Damages Available After A Philadelphia School Bus Accident

There may be various types of compensation available for victims of school bus accidents. Whether through an insurance settlement or as a result of a jury verdict, our goal is to recover both economic and non-economic damages on behalf of our clients. Your eligibility for specific types of compensation will vary depending on the circumstances of the incident and the severity of the injuries. Some of the most common types of damages recoverable after a school bus accident in Philadelphia include the following:

• Medical expenses. This includes ambulance services, emergency room visits, hospital admission costs, follow-up visits, medications, etc.
• Future medical treatment. If there are more severe injuries that require long-term care, future medical treatment must be accounted for.
• Rehabilitation costs. Individuals may need physical therapy or rehabilitation to make a full recovery after a school bus accident.
• Medical devices. Medical devices, such as wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, canes, and even artificial limbs may be needed.
• Lost income. If an individual is unable to work as a result of a school bus accident caused by another party, they should be able to recover lost wages and benefits.

In addition to these economic damages, non-economic damages such as physical and emotional pain suffering as well as loss of quality of life should be compensated appropriately.

Contact a School Bus Accident Attorney In Philadelphia

Representing those injured in a school bus accident in Philadelphia requires dedication and the drive to hold the responsible parties accountable. Teachers, administrators (such as the bus driver or supervisor), and even other students may be legally accountable for any actions – or inactions – that contribute to an accident. Indeed, you need a tireless accident attorney in Philadelphia who will explore every possible legal outlet to get you the compensation needed following a school bus accident.

For more information on our state’s laws regarding negligence and liability, contact our Philadelphia injury attorneys at Ciccarelli Law Offices. Let us review your case, and we will put our decades of experience to work for you.