Phoenix School Bus Accident Lawyers
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$1,250,000
Automobile Accident Case
$1,015,000
Automobile Accident Case
$940,000
Automobile Accident Case
$700,000
Catastrophic Injury Case
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Attorney Representation in Phoenix Arizona Since 1996
School Bus Accident
Over 20 million school-aged children ride buses every day to and from classes and field trips. But surprisingly little is known about school bus safety. Statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggest that buses crash around 26,000 times a year, resulting in around 1,000 serious injuries and 6,000 minor injuries. These NHTSA figures suggests that school buses are in many ways safer than many other vehicles in the road, especially motorcycles.
That said, critics have accused the NHTSA and other public watchdogs of cherry picking data to downplay the risks associated with school buses. For instance, in a recent survey of school bus accidents in Los Angeles, an organization refused to count an accident in which 29 kids died in a school bus crash in Martinez, California. The reason these fatalities were left off out of the report was that the kids were on a field trip (as opposed to on their way to or from school).
The debate over statistics aside, what are common causes of school bus accidents?
Bus driver error or distraction
School bus drivers must adhere to higher standards of safety than must drivers of passenger cars and trucks. Not all drivers adhere to these standards. Students have reported school bus drivers driving under the influence and even texting while driving -- bad behaviors which statistically increase the likelihood of accidents by many times over.
Poor bus maintenance
Problems with a bus' brakes, accelerator, steering column, and tires can all lead to accidents, as can problems with school bus design itself. For instance, some buses – particularly older models – may be subject to increased risk for roll over.
Other driver error, bad roads, "Acts of God," etc
Obviously, school buses are subject to dynamic risks, just like all other vehicles on the roads are. Inattentive drivers, poorly maintained intersections, flash floods, and literally dozens of other factors can cause or at least contribute to an accident.
What should you do if your child was hurt in an Arizona school bus accident?
First of all, make sure that your child gets immediate medical attention. Problems like whiplash or shock may not appear to be serious in the immediate aftermath of a collision. But if they are not treated correctly and quickly, they can become more severe.
Once you've taken care of the medical emergency, you should at your earliest convenience consider contacting an experienced Phoenix Arizona school bus accident attorney. If you live in Arizona, please call Phoenix personal injury attorneys Alexis and Mark Breyer to get a free consultation. The Breyers have been practicing personal injury law for over a decade and a half. Their accolades include high ratings from Martindale-Hubbell and the American Trial Lawyers Association, and they have a 98% success rate for settling their cases. Call 602-267-1280 now for your free consultation.
