School Bus Crash Is Alarming
No one could doubt the sincerity of one student’s description of the accident involving a school bus that flipped onto its side: “surreal.” Fortunately, while that sums up the experience for the bus driver and the 19 students on board the bus, the incident involved only minor harm for a handful of students, with no fatalities and no life-threatening injuries.
What We Know
According to police, the northbound bus skidded off the road on Old Columbia Road. There were not any other vehicles involved, and, while the driver was not impaired, it’s unclear what caused the vehicle to topple over in a field beside the road. Police indicate the driver may face a traffic violation. While it was a frightening experience for kids, their parents, and neighbors in the area, everyone is relieved that the group escaped with no serious physical outcomes. The possibility of emotional trauma, however, is possible.
What are Possible Causes in Bus Accidents?
While we don’t know the specifics of what caused this particular crash, we do know that, generally speaking, there are typically a handful of issues related to these types of incidents:
- Inexperienced drivers who have trouble managing the vehicle and kids at the same time;
- Unqualified drivers who lack their CDL license (with passenger endorsement);
- Distracted driving, or negligent actions such as running stop signs, speeding, etc,;
- Other motorists who ignore traffic laws;
- Mechanical failures or poor maintenance;
- Weather or road conditions.
What to do After a Bus Crash
For parents who have children who have been involved in a bus crash, there are likely many questions going forward. After ensuring that your child is okay physically, be sure to follow the instructions that medical professionals give. Even if there are no obvious injuries, it’s always a good idea to get checked out by their pediatrician within a few days of the accident. It’s entirely possible hidden injuries may be found, and if they are not, you will certainly have peace of mind. In the event problems do arise, you will have documentation that you took the steps necessary to address them. Once the immediate safety concerns are addressed, there are some other things you should do:
- Exchange contact information with the parents of other children involved in the accident and confirm the facts of the event.
- Gather contact information of any witnesses to the event.
- Take photographs of the crash site, make notes of road and weather conditions, and get a copy of the police report.
- Hire an attorney to investigate the cause of the accident.
Fighting for You
The experienced personal injury attorneys at The Law Office of Hasson D. Barnes are dedicated to pursuing financial justice for individuals who suffer as a result of others’ negligence or recklessness. If you think you have a case, contact our Baltimore office for a confidential consultation today.
