New York school bus accidents: What are my legal rights?

Few accidents are as tragic as those involving school bused. Whether the accidents were the result of driver error, poor road conditions or mechanical failure, these crashes can result in catastrophic injuries for some of our most vulnerable loved ones.

These accidents also lead to questions — questions about responsibility and victim rights. This post will discuss a recent elementary school bus accident to provide some guidance on how authorities answer these questions and what options are available for victims.

Local bus accident leads to serious injuries

The accident occurred when the bus struck a work truck on a two-lane road. A local news report notes the investigation appears to show that the work truck, a tree-trimming truck, crossed over the center line and caused a head-on collision with the bus. Authorities likely reviewed the location and position of the vehicles to make this determination.

The crash shattered the front windshield and essentially severed the frontend from the rest of the bus. Eight people were unable to get out of the bus after the accident. Police had to extricate these passengers and the driver. The emergency responders transported all the children to a local hospital for examination. Three, including a child, required treatment for serious injuries. Hospital staff also treated others for less severe injuries.

Injured adults, children have legal rights

In many cases, these accidents are the result of negligence. The accident may be the result of a tired or distracted bus driver, another driver making a poor choice that results in the collision or poorly maintained roadways. Whatever the source of the negligence, those who are injured may be able to hold the responsible party accountable for the expenses that result from the accident. It is important to note that bus accident cases are not the same as those involving other passenger vehicles. These can be more complex because they often involve a city or municipality. Because of this, victims and their family need to learn about their legal options.