Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Handling Personal Injury Claims in the Seattle Area and Throughout Washington Since 1995

My name is Chris Thayer and I am a personal injury attorney practicing in downtown Seattle. I handle personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death claims throughout the greater Seattle area, including Issaquah, Mercer Island and Kirkland.

I am here to help you.

Call for a free consultation (206) 340-2008

School Bus Injuries

Posted Friday, August 14, 2020 by Chris Thayer

Alternative TextCOVID-19 has changed the way that many children will attend school this fall. Many students will learn virtually from home. In other cases, children are being homeschooled by parents who fear sending their children back to school. However, many schools are still operating normally and plan to have students back in normal classes this fall. As a result, school buses will begin to run again, and children will use them as a primary form of transportation to their schools this fall.

*Safety of School Buses*The published research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that school buses are actually the most regulated vehicles on the roadways in the United States, and for good reason. Literally millions of children ride school buses every day. The American School Bus Council indicates that prior to 2020, 25 million children rode on school buses every day during the school year. While this number may be smaller this fall, many children will still hop on these buses in order to get to and from their schools. Unfortunately, statistics also show that while these vehicles are typically safe, 17,000 children go to emergency rooms every year due to injuries suffered on a school bus.

*Safety at Bus Stops*One-fourth of all injuries suffered by children related to school buses actually occur when a child is either entering or exiting the bus, according to the Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice. Make sure your child arrives early in order to avoid panic, keeps their distance from other children and the bus, faces the bus directly to avoid accidents, and never approaches a school bus until it has made a full and complete stop. Children should always remain in their seats on the bus facing forward, and only get up to leave the bus again when it comes to a full and complete stop.

*Safety for Motorists*Research from the National Safety Council indicates that accidents involving school buses typically do not affect the passengers of the buses but rather the occupants of other motor vehicles involved in the crash. In fact, 70% of all fatalities associated with school buses were motorists and passengers in other vehicles. As the school season begins again make sure to pay close attention as you back out of your driveway and always look for school buses near school zones. Follow the directions of any school buses that may include stop signs or flashing lights.

*Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today *If you were involved in an accident with a school bus, or if your child was injured as a rider on a school bus, you may have the legal right to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact a personal injury attorney today at Pivotal Law Group at 206-340-2008 and learn how we can help you receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage and pain and suffering. We proudly serve the Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Burien, Mercer Island, and Issaquah areas.