School Bus Accidents in Maryland: What Are Your Rights If Your Children are Injured and How to Keep Them Safe

Although school bus accidents are rare, they can be very damaging, resulting in serious injuries or even death. Ensuring that children are safe while traveling on a school bus is the most important priority for parents, educators, and the community as a whole.

In Maryland, knowing what to do to keep kids safe and also how to protect your legal rights if your child is injured in a school bus crash is very important. Below, our Laurel bus accident attorney shares some vital information on how to ensure school bus safety, what your legal rights are, and what steps you need to take to keep children safe on their school bus rides.

Ensuring School Bus Safety in Maryland

When considering school bus safety, the discussion should naturally start with choosing a proper bus supplier. In Maryland, each county chooses a bus supplier that meets the needs of the particular area being served. Prior to making their decision, county officials typically review the supplier’s safety records, generally giving preference to those bus suppliers with strong safety histories and few accidents. 

Once selected and the buses are in the school’s possession, school management will be responsible for performing proper maintenance checks. Routine maintenance is crucial to ensure that the buses are in proper working condition; otherwise, vehicles might face many mechanical issues, which may ultimately lead to devastating accidents.

Another important step in the process is choosing the right bus drivers. While we know that there is often a shortage of qualified school bus drivers, it is extremely critical that appropriate drivers are selected, as the safety of our young children are at stake. School districts should ensure that potential bus drivers possess a valid driver’s license and that they have received appropriate training, including training in emergency procedures and child behavior. 

Teaching Children Bus Safety Rules

Our Laurel bus accident attorney understands the importance of providing children with enough information to help keep them as safe as possible when they leave home. Accordingly, parents are encouraged to share their knowledge and advice with their children in simple, plain language based on their age and level of comprehension. Some basic information to discuss should include the following:

• When waiting for the bus, children should stand several feet away from the curb.
• Wait for the bus to stop completely and for the driver’s signal before boarding.
• When boarding and exiting the bus, use handrails to avoid falls.
• Make sure loose strings or straps on clothes and backpacks are not hanging down.
• Stay seated and face forward.
• Avoid distracting the driver.
• Keep aisles clear of belongings.
• Always cross in front of the bus, never behind it.
• Make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing.
• Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.

School Bus Design and Safety Features

As vehicles become increasingly high-tech, school buses are heading in the same direction. Children should be aware of the features that may exist, such as emergency exits and stop-arm cameras that take photos of vehicles that pass a stopped school bus illegally. 

Steps to Take if Your Child is Injured in a School Bus Accident

There are several steps for parents and/or legal guardians to take if their child has been hurt in a school bus crash.

Immediate Actions After an Accident

• Get Medical Help: Get immediate medical attention for any injuries that you or your children might have suffered, even for seemingly minor injuries, since not all injuries are immediately known.
• Take Notes on Injuries and Treatment: Keep notes on all medical visits, diagnoses, and treatments your child receives.

Gather Information and Evidence

• Obtain a copy of the accident report.
• Collect statements from any witnesses, including other children and parents.
• Take pictures of the accident scene, the bus, and any visible injuries.

Legal Steps and Rights

It is important to work with a skilled Laurel school bus accident attorney to ensure your family’s legal rights are protected. Choosing a lawyer who has extensive experience in personal injury and/or school bus accident law will be crucial as you move through the handling of your case.

Depending on the circumstances, you may file a claim against the school district or bus company for negligence, the bus driver if their actions contributed to the accident, and any other drivers involved in the accident. Do not delay in pursuing your case, as you will only have a limited amount of time to do so.

Understanding Liability in School Bus Accidents

The school district and/or the bus company can be sued if they were negligent in hiring drivers, training drivers, or maintaining the bus. In general, employers are deemed legally liable for the acts of their employees through the legal principle of “vicarious liability.” 

If the bus driver was speeding, texting, eating, or making other errors that led to the crash, they may have acted negligently. Additionally, the employer’s ineffective or lack of training and supervision of the bus driver can establish the employer’s liability.

There are also occasions when accidents happen due to external causes. For example, other motorists may commit traffic violations or drive carelessly (i.e., texting while driving), and they can be held liable if their actions trigger a school bus accident.

Compensation for Injuries

Dealing with the aftermath of a school bus accident can be traumatic and life-changing. Under the law, however, accident victims are entitled to certain compensation for their injuries, which may include the following:

• Immediate and Future Medical Costs: This includes all medical treatment or products necessary to assist the victim in recovering from their injuries, including treatment at the scene, the hospital stay, surgeries, and rehabilitative services.
• Physical and Emotional Injury: Compensation may be provided for the child’s physical pain and emotional trauma. 
• Parental Damages: If you had to miss work for appointments with your child’s doctors or if you had to care for a disabled child, you may be entitled to either reimbursement for lost wages or compensation for a disability.

Advocating for Policy Changes

You may be wondering what we, as concerned citizens, can do to help curb the occurrence of school bus accidents. Here are just a few possible suggestions:

Strengthening Laws and Regulations

Safety Legislation: Advocate for stricter laws and regulations to improve school bus safety standards.

Seatbelts: Support initiatives that require all school buses to be equipped with seatbelts.

Education Campaigns: Join or lead neighborhood campaigns to raise awareness about school bus safety among drivers.

School Committees: Get involved in school committees to advocate for improved policies and practices in transport safety. 

Emotional Support for Your Child

While some children are amazingly resilient after a traumatic event, they, too, may experience some mental and emotional-related issues after being involved in a crash. If that is the case, there are some steps you can take to get them the help they need. First, consider getting your child some professional help. Have him or her see a counselor or a therapist to help deal with the trauma of being in a crash. Secondly, seek extra help at school. If the school has a counselor or support groups, these may also help. Use school counselors and support groups.

Additionally, let your child speak freely and openly about the accident, as that may be helpful to them. Let them talk specifically about how they felt during and after the accident and be sure to offer reassuring statements and expressions of support, combined with conveying a message that they are safe.

Preventing Future Accidents and Parental Involvement

As is the case after accidents, citizens and lawmakers often wonder what they can do to help prevent additional school bus accidents from occurring in the future. Starting with the school district, the relevant individuals in the district should be sure to train all drivers on how to safely operate the bus and deal with a variety of emergencies. The district should also conduct regular safety inspections and maintenance on all school buses. Lastly, the schools should have regular safety drills for students to practice emergency procedures.

Speak to a Laurel Bus Accident Attorney Today

Although school bus accidents are relatively rare in Maryland, they can cause serious and permanent injuries to children and their families. Understanding what steps to take to keep your children safe, knowing your legal rights, and preparing to act if there is an accident are essential elements of protecting your child. 

If your child was hurt in a school bus crash, remember that he or she has rights and may be entitled to compensation. Acting quickly with the legal knowledge to secure medical treatment and financial support can make a significant difference in your child’s recovery and overall future. Contact our office today for immediate assistance.