Bus Related Pedestrian Accidents
Collisions involving buses and pedestrians can have catastrophic results. These types of collisions are more likely to result in pedestrian fatalities due to the sheer size of buses when compared to pedestrians. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration discovered that buses are almost eight times more likely to be involved in pedestrian fatalities per mile traveled. Also per mile, the same study found that buses are twelve times as likely to kill pedestrians under the age of fifteen when compared with cars.
According to additional studies done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than two-thirds of the annual pedestrian deaths are males. When it comes to pedestrians killed in accidents with buses, however, both genders are represented equally. This is thought to be because women tend to travel by bus more often, so they have more of an opportunity to be around buses as a pedestrian.
Children are particularly at risk to be injured as a pedestrian in collisions with buses since they are more frequently around these vehicles, but also because they are small and may not be as easily seen by a bus driver. Buses are used to transport children to and from school, and they are also used for field trips and sporting events. If your child rides a school bus, it is important to remind them to be safe around the bus and to not engage in behaviors such as running near the bus or darting around the bus. Since the bus driver may have blind spots, this will help ensure your child’s safety.
What to Do if You or a Loved One Has Been Injured as a Pedestrian in a Bus Accident
If you or a family member have been hurt in a bus accident as a pedestrian, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries sustained in the accident. Each case has a different set of facts, so you will want to speak with an attorney in your area to find out if there may be a case against the bus driver or any other parties for negligence.
Depending on the type of bus involved in the collision, there may be more than one party liable for the accident. For collisions involving school buses, both the driver and the school district may be liable for negligence. When it comes to school buses, many states have laws that require a special duty of care on the part of the driver, so there many be additional causes of action available beyond a negligence claim. Other potential liable parties in bus collisions include the manufacturer of the vehicle and the company responsible for bus maintenance.
If the bus is owned or maintained by the state or local government, there are different rules for these types of cases, which can be complex. For example, there may be a shorter timeline for which you must file your lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations. Additionally, there may be limitations on a number of damages you can potentially recover in your case. There are also different procedural steps to follow in cases where the potentially liable party is the state or local government. Speaking with an attorney right away who specializes in bus collisions with pedestrians can put your mind at ease in this incredibly stressful time in your life in the aftermath of such a serious collision.