Georgia Injury Lawyers Blog
At this point, most children in Georgia have gone back to school. For many, this means taking the bus. While the school bus accidents may be statistically rare, 12 children were killed and 47 were injured getting on and off the bus from August 2018 to March 2019. The National Safety Council reports that 95 people were killed in 2017 in school bus-related crashes, with 12,000 injuries.
If you or your child has been injured in a school bus-related accident, you need an experienced school bus accident attorney to help you understand your options. The attorneys at Slappey & Sadd help accident victims across the state of Georgia get the compensation they deserve so that they can put their lives back together. If you’ve been injured in a school bus accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact us at 1-888-474-9616 to schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys.
What Does Georgia Law Require?
Under Georgia law, drivers must stop when approaching a school bus with its lights on and stop arm extended. Earlier this year, the law was amended to include multi-lane roads. Essentially, the only time you don’t have to stop is if you are traveling in the opposite direction on a divided roadway.
Failing to stop is a serious traffic infraction, that will result in heavy fines and points on your license. It’s also negligent – if a driver injures or kills a child while passing a stopped school bus, they would likely be held liable for any losses to the child or their family.
Dangers from Other Drivers
In addition to failing to stop, other drivers on the road can also present hazards to school bus passengers. Negligent driving such as speeding, tailgating, or driving while distracted, can result in serious accidents. For school buses that are not equipped with seatbelts, accidents could result in serious injuries to their passengers. If your child is injured, it could require months of medical treatment and physical therapy to recover from their injuries. In addition, they may experience anxiety or other psychological trauma as a result of the accident. An experienced school bus accident attorney can help you understand what will be covered by insurance and whether you need to pursue a legal claim.
What About the Buses and Drivers Themselves?
Unfortunately, some school bus accidents are caused by mechanical failures on the bus or the negligence of the driver. In these cases, the occupants of the bus face an obvious risk of injury, but it can also pose dangers to other drivers on the road. Here are some issues that can result in school bus accidents:
- Failure to properly maintain the bus
- Inadequate driver training
- Negligent driving on the part of the bus driver
School bus accidents caused by the bus or the driver can pose unique challenges. It’s important to at least consult with an attorney who understands the potential issues so that you can make an informed decision as to how to proceed.
Contact the Georgia School Bus Accident Lawyers at Slappey & Sadd
Whether your child was on the bus or you were a pedestrian, cyclist, or riding in another vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation if you were injured in a school bus accident. The Atlanta school bus accident attorneys at Slappey & Sadd can help you understand your options and get the compensation you need. If you or someone you love has been injured in a school bus accident, call us at 1-888-474-9616 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.