School buses are designed to be very visible to reduce the possibility of a driver not seeing a bus. This is illustrated by their bright color and flashing lights. In addition, the law specifically provides protection to school buses because they carry such precious cargo. One example is that it is illegal for motorists to pass a school bus while children are being picked up or dropped off.
While school buses are designed to be some of the safest vehicles on the road, they are not immune from being involved in a serious accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – an entity that was established following the Highway Safety Act of 1970 – is tasked with researching and studying highway and vehicle design and safety. According to the NHTSA, from 2006 to 2015, there were about 324,710 fatal car accidents, and of those, about 1,172 were related to school transportation. Sadly, there have been about 1,313 children and adults killed in school vehicle accidents. Over 100 of these accident victims were school-aged children.
When these accidents occur, aside from being emotionally devastating, establishing liability and recovering compensation can be very difficult. One reason is that there are many issues in play, including who caused the accident, why the accident occurred, and whether the school district, the bus driver, or another party may be held liable.
There are also various causes of school bus accidents, including fatigue, speeding, mechanical issues, and distractions. Determining the cause of the accident will then allow the injured party or family members to narrow down who should be held liable and whether there are any reasons a person would be immune from such a lawsuit.
School Bus Crash in New York Causes Several Injuries
According to a recent news report, five children and three adults were on a school bus when it was involved in an accident. Police officials have reported that the school bus rammed into another vehicle when it was dropping children off at the end of the school day. The bus was overturned on its side when emergency officials arrived at the scene of the accident. The City Education Department declined to say which school the children attended and denied that there were any injuries. However, emergency responders rushed eight people to local hospitals. At this point, the police are still investigating the accident, and no charges have been filed.
Have You Been Injured in a School Bus Accident in New Mexico?
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a New Mexico bus or truck accident, you should contact an attorney at the Fine Law Firm. School bus accidents can be complex due to the numerous players involved, including the driver, the bus company, the school, the school district, and possibly another driver. An attorney at the Fine Law Firm can help you determine your rights and remedies and assist you in pursuing the compensation you deserve. Contact one of the attorneys at 800-640-6590 to schedule your free initial consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Results of Safety Study Conducted by National Transportation Safety Board Confirm the Dangers of Large Trucks, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, December 31, 2017.
Truck Safety Regulation Overhaul Results in Truck Drivers Protest, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, January 4, 2018.