Tupelo School Bus Accidents
Once the school year starts for the Tupelo Public School District, school buses can be seen on streets throughout the Tupelo area every morning and evening. With so many buses going to so many areas each day, there is a high likelihood that one or more of the buses will be involved in a school bus accident during the school year. Since school buses often lack basic safety features like seatbelts, there is a substantial chance that the accident will result in serious injury to one or more students. If you or your child has been injured in a bus crash, the Tupelo bus accident lawyers of Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz are here to help you seek the compensation you deserve. We are a large regional personal injury law firm.
Pursuing Recovery in a School Bus Accident Case
Under Mississippi law, the first step in pursuing compensation for injuries sustained in a school bus accident is identifying the responsible party or parties. Generally, school bus accidents are the result of the negligence of the school bus driver, the driver of another vehicle, or the bus driver’s employer. Obtaining recovery for injuries sustained as a result of another’s negligence requires an injured party to present evidence sufficient to prove the legal elements of negligence: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
In cases of bus driver negligence or negligence on the part of the driver of another vehicle, the driver may cause the accident because they are speeding, driving while distracted by a smartphone, following too closely, driving under the influence of alcohol, or any of a number of other common negligent actions. Evidence useful in proving the driver’s negligence can come from a variety of sources, including police reports, witness statements, and video footage. An experienced school bus accident lawyer in Tupelo can assist injured victims by investigating the accident and searching for evidence to support the injured party’s claims.
In cases of negligence on the part of the school bus driver’s employer, federal and state regulations can be useful in holding that entity responsible. Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) provide rules and requirements that school bus drivers and those hiring school bus drivers must follow. For example, MDE regulations require that school bus drivers be at least 18 years of age, hold a valid commercial driver’s license with the proper endorsements, and undergo training. In Tupelo, the Tupelo Public School Transportation Department (TPSTD) is responsible for transportation of public school students. If the TPSTD hires a driver that is too young, does not have the required license, or has not received proper training, an injured school bus accident victim could seek compensation for injuries sustained in the wreck.
Discuss Your Case with an Experienced School Bus Accident Attorney in Tupelo
Identifying the responsible party is just the beginning when it comes to recovering for injuries sustained in a school bus accident. With so many children on each bus, obtaining fair compensation can be difficult in cases with serious injuries and limited insurance coverage. If you or your child has been injured in a school bus accident, contact the Tupelo school bus accident attorneys at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz today to discuss your options. We have recovered over $1.5 billion in compensation for our injured clients, and we want to ensure that you (and your children) are fairly compensated as well.
