Jackson, TN School Bus Accidents
Motor Vehicle Crash Lawyers Serving Jackson and West Tennessee
Every parent’s worst nightmare is that something bad will happen that causes harm to their child. Imagine the horror of getting a call from the school that your child has been injured in a school bus accident. Unfortunately, school bus accidents are common in Madison County as many buses carry students back and forth to North Side, Liberty, and other schools in the area. These same school buses transport students on field trips and to sporting events and a variety of other places, creating ample opportunities for crashes to occur in Jackson. If your child has been injured in a bus accident, call Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz today for a free consultation with one of our experienced Jackson school bus accident attorneys. As the largest plaintiff’s personal injury law firm based in Tennessee, we have recovered more than $1.5 billion in compensation for accident victims.
Seeking Compensation for Injuries After a School Bus Crash
Generally, school buses are a convenient and safe way for many students to get back and forth to school and school-related activities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a school bus is in fact “the safest vehicle on the road” and students are about 70 times more likely to arrive at school safely in a bus versus a car. However, on average, there are 137 school transportation-related fatalities each year in the United States. There were six fatalities in one school bus accident alone in Tennessee in 2016.
The Jackson-Madison County School System (JMCSS) Transportation Department handles school bus operation, maintenance, and driver training for schools in the district. School buses usually do not come equipped with airbags, seatbelts, or other safety devices to protect students during a collision. As a result, students may be thrown from their seats, resulting in broken bones or fractures, or they may suffer whiplash and spinal cord injuries. They may also hit their heads on windows or other seats, causing head injuries, lacerations, and cuts. Depending on the size of the lacerations and cuts, victims may require stitches or staples to close the wound, which could lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement. A school bus accident lawyer in Jackson can help you seek damages for all of these injuries.
Your Child Has Been Injured in a School Bus Accident. Now What?
You should be able to pursue a claim against the responsible party, which could be the bus driver, the school system, or the driver of another vehicle involved in the accident. To do this, you will need to prove that a driver’s negligence caused your child’s injuries and losses, such as medical expenses and pain and suffering. Most school bus accidents are caused by the negligent driving of either the bus driver or the driver of another vehicle, examples being speeding, failing to yield, or tailgating.
In those cases, you will be able to pursue a bodily injury claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance carrier. If the school bus driver was at fault, you will likely be able to seek recovery from the school system, as it will be vicariously liable for any accidents caused by the negligent actions of its employee bus drivers committed in the course and scope of employment. You may also have claims against the school system for negligent hiring or training if the school bus driver was not qualified for the job. It is important to note that special considerations apply for claims against government entities in Tennessee pursuant to the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act.
You should protect your child’s rights by contacting a knowledgeable school bus accident attorney in Jackson as soon as possible after the collision. Your child may have valid claims and there may be many other claimants, multiple tortfeasors, and different insurance companies involved. An experienced attorney will help you navigate the complex process after a school bus crash, advising you each and every step of the way, so that you and your child can be compensated for all of your losses and reimbursed for out of pocket expenses.
Call NST for a Free Consultation with a Jackson School Bus Accident Lawyer
School buses can carry up to 70+ students at a time, so when a school bus is involved in a wreck, chaos can ensue. If your child has been injured in a bus crash, call Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz today so that we can assist you and your child during this difficult time. Our firm has been handling personal injury cases for more than 30 years, and we serve accidents victims in the greater Jackson area, including Humboldt, Milan, Brownsville, and Trenton, and the rest of Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Kentucky. Call us toll-free at 800-529-4004 or complete our online form to set up a free consultation with one of our automobile accident lawyers. NST is the way to go.
