No parent or guardian wants to learn their child has been in a school bus accident, especially if their child is injured. Besides the physical trauma, this can be a terrifying experience for a child, and they may have emotional trauma to deal with in the weeks following. Most school bus accidents are due to human error or things like poor road conditions. Even though they’re called “accidents,” many could be prevented. There are legal remedies that can be pursued.

What to Do Immediately After a School Bus Accident

Even if your child seems physically fine and says they don’t feel any pain, they should still see a doctor as soon as possible. It’s important to note that some injuries may not present symptoms immediately, so a child who seems fine immediately after the accident may start to feel pain or discomfort within a few days. Common injuries that crop up after these types of accidents include whiplash and concussions, which may not be immediately apparent.

What If My Child Is Injured?

After getting appropriate medical care, contact an injury attorney to discuss legal options. You’ll likely receive various communications, whether on paper or digitally, from the school district and, if the school district outsources bussing, from the school bus company. Keeping all of these communications and copies of all medical records is essential. They can be crucial to negotiating settlements or, if necessary, to use in court.

Depending on the severity of the accident and the injuries, the school and/or bus company may have their attorneys contact the parents or guardians of the affected children. They may try to negotiate a settlement with the parents directly. It may appear easy to work through those attorneys but remember: They have the school/bus company’s best interests at heart, not necessarily the parents’ or the children’s. Don’t agree verbally or by signing any agreement without having it reviewed by an attorney who does not represent the school or bus company.

We know this can be a tremendously stressful event for parents and guardians, and it can be tempting to just a form to get it over with. But if the child has potentially long-term medical issues, hiring an experienced injury lawyer can possibly lead to better compensation.

Let Us Advise You

If your child was injured in a school bus accident, call us at 816-866-7711 to learn what legal remedies could be available.