Parents rely on school buses every day for the transportation of their children. Parents entrust several parties with significant responsibility to ensure their child is transported to and from school safely. Understandably, hearing the news that your child has sustained an injury as a result of a school bus accident is overwhelming. If your child has been injured in this type of traffic accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation. However, determining liability can be difficult which makes the legal process of collecting compensation for damages challenging. Keep reading to learn who can be held accountable for a school bus accident and discover how a trusted New York City Bus Accident Lawyer can help you seek reasonable compensation for your devastating losses.
Who can be held liable for a school bus accident in New York?
Following a school bus accident, determining liability can be challenging. However, the allocation of fault is crucial as it plays a vital role in collecting compensation for any injuries your child may have sustained. Oftentimes, people assume the bus driver is the only liable party. Although that may be the case sometimes, it is not always true. If the school bus driver does not abide by the rules of the road or is found negligent in any way, they can be held liable for a collision. However, sometimes school bus accidents happen at no fault of the bus driver or they are only partially at fault for the accident.
In most cases, the school district can be named in a lawsuit as they are responsible for hiring bus drivers with the proper experience and training. Additionally, they are responsible for ensuring the school buses are in good condition and inspections are conducted regularly. However, the blame does not stop there. Sometimes the school district will rent school buses from government entities or private companies. When this is the case, the school bus owner can be held liable if they do not conduct regular inspections of the vehicle to ensure it is in good condition. If any malfunctioning components are left unattended, causing a collision, you can file a claim against the owner of the bus. Moreover, if the cause of the accident was the result of a defective part, the manufacturer of the school bus can be held accountable. Further, if a negligent third party causes the accident, they can be held liable for the collision. As several parties can be liable, establishing liability can be difficult. However, an experienced New York City bus accident lawyer can help you collect pertinent evidence to support your claim.
For more information on who can be held liable for a school bus accident, please contact one of our proficient team members. Our firm is committed to helping our clients get the justice they deserve.
