School buses transport millions of children to and from school each day in the United States. Not only do school buses assist working parents in getting their kids to school, but buses keep millions of additional cars off the roads and from polluting the air every day. Because so many parents trust school buses to keep their children safe, buses are specifically designed with additional safety precautions to first, avoid bus accidents and second, prevent injury in the case of a bus accident.
However, despite all the additional safety precautions, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that around 25 school children die in bus-related accidents every year, and hundreds more are injured. If you trusted a school bus to transport your child, and your child was involved and injured in a bus accident, call an experienced Newnan accident attorney at Shane Smith Law to discuss how to get reimbursed for their injuries.
Restraints are one of the most important safety precautions on a school bus. First and foremost, you should teach your child the importance of always using safety restraints when on the bus or in any other vehicle. In fact, according to the NHTSA, children who do not use seat belts or other safety restraints on the school bus are more likely to not use seat belts or restraints in their family cars. In today's world, there are several types of restraints available on buses, usually depending on what ages of children the bus primarily transports. Buses that transport older children generally have traditional lap belts. However, buses that transport younger children, and in some cases preschool-aged kids or younger, may have more extensive shoulder harnesses or even safety vests. Whatever type of restraint that is in use on your child's bus, it is very important that they know how to properly buckle or fasten the restraint so that it is not too loose or improperly placed. By teaching your children this, you can hopefully avoid any injury in case of a school bus accident.
In the unfortunate instance that your child is injured in a school bus accident, the school, the bus company, or even the bus driver may possibly hold liable for the injuries. A Newnan accident attorney at Shane Smith Law can help you determine who is responsible and how you can get a fair settlement. Do not hesitate to call (980) 246-2656 for a free consultation today.