Sending the kids to school is a major step in the life of all parents. In general, you don’t face any difficulty sending your child off to school. While school buses are typically quite safe for kids, accidents may still occur. And, when this happens, it may turn your life upside down with injuries, stress, and financial strain.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission, 1,009 fatal accidents involving school buses occurred between 2011 and 2020 in the country that accounted for an average of 113 deaths each year.
So, what should you do if your kid is harmed in an accident involving a school bus? Knowing the steps to take immediately after such an accident might help you prepare for the unexpected and enable you to protect your child’s rights.
Key Steps to Take If Your Child Gets Injured in a School Bus Accident
If your child has sustained injuries in a school bus accident, you might not be sure about your next steps. Here, the experienced school bus accident attorneys at Mangal, PLLC discuss key steps to protect your child’s legal rights.
#1 Seeking Medical Attention:
After a school bus accident, having your child examined by a licensed medical professional is important for safeguarding your kid’s health. Some injuries might not be apparent soon after the crash and so they may easily be missed. A physician can detect such injuries so that your kid gets the treatment he/she needs to recover. This will also prevent your child’s condition from worsening in the absence of the necessary treatment. Moreover, seeking medical attention in time helps you get a medical record that your Florida accident attorney can use to strengthen your case.
#2 Collecting Evidence:
The police will possibly prepare an accident report and collect evidence using their own specific methods. However, it’s crucial for parents too, to click photographs and make a video of the crash scene and their kid’s injuries as well as collect statements from any witnesses to the accident. This will help you and your lawyer have an exhaustive record of the crash while lowering the likelihood of your child’s injuries being understated.
#3 Hiring an Experienced School Bus Accident Lawyer in Florida:
A school bus accident lawyer can play a significant role in helping you to safeguard your kid’s rights and seek justice against
the parties at fault. School bus accident cases are often complicated as they usually involve multiple parties, including:
- The driver of the school bus
- The school district
- The parents of kids on the school bus
- The employer of the bus driver
- The other vehicle’s driver
- The owner of the bus
- Pedestrians
- The local government
- The insurance companies
It can be challenging for innocent parents to understand what steps they should take and in what order. A skilled school bus accident attorney can help you navigate this complex process while increasing your likelihood of holding the at-fault parties responsible for the crash and getting recompensed for your losses. Your lawyer will also aid you in meeting essential deadlines to ensure Florida law doesn’t restrict you from filing a claim against the at-fault parties.
#4 Contacting the School District:
You should notify the school district of your kid’s injury due to the accident. In the majority of cases, they would already know about the crash, but it is still sensible to notify them that your kid has suffered injuries in the accident. Plus, it is important for the school district to know if your child needs to miss school due to his/her injuries. You just require sharing share the basic details, and your attorney will later provide the school district or its insurer with all the required information.
#5 Keeping a Record of Your Kid’s Injuries
Documenting your kid’s injury, including how it would impact his/her life and ability to perform routine tasks and day-to-day activities. While serving as proof, such records will give a clear idea of the extent of the injuries and how much you can recover in damages.
#6 Avoiding Signing Anything in the Absence of Your Lawyer
This is perhaps the most important piece of advice. Sign any document only after getting it reviewed by your lawyer. Insurance companies, the school district, and other parties may attempt to convince you to do so by describing the document as part of the regular process. However, these documents may steal away your kid’s legal rights, eventually preventing you from seeking fair compensation. The best option is to sign anything only after getting it reviewed by your lawyer and obtaining their expert advice.
Contact a Dependable School Bus Accident Lawyer in Clermont, Florida
The experienced Florida school bus accident lawyers at MANGAL, PLLC – Clermont Personal Injury Law Firm – can help you understand your legal rights and options as you seek recompense for the injuries of your kid. Our skilled school bus accident lawyer can help you:
- Identify all the responsible parties
- Collect the relevant evidence
- Initiate the legal process
- Manage your school bus crash case
- Protect your child’s legal rights
- Get compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and other costs, resulting from the crash
If your child has suffered injuries in a school bus accident in Florida, contact our experienced bus accident attorney. Call us at (352) 995-9945 or write to us at Team@LawByYourSide.com to schedule a FREE and confidential consultation.
