School Bus Accidents in Burbank

Every weekday, thousands of students go to school and return home on a school bus. While there are traffic rules to keep students safe, school bus accidents in Burbank may still happen and could result in serious injuries to everyone involved.

It is understandable to feel distressed if your child has been hurt on a bus. Our team of experienced bus crash attorneys at Block LLP could provide you with advice and guidance during this difficult time. While nothing could change what happened, you may be able to recover compensation for your child’s injuries to help them secure their future.

What are the Common Causes of School Bus Accidents?

School buses are unwieldy vehicles that require a high level of skill to operate safely. This is especially important because they lack some safety features, such as seat belts. Like other motor vehicles, collisions involving a school bus are usually caused by driver errors.

This could be an error on the part of the bus driver, such as getting distracted, driving while fatigued, or failing to follow traffic laws. Often, this is due to the bus driver’s experience or skill set in handling such a large vehicle. Other drivers on the road could also make the same errors, but the school bus’s larger size makes it more difficult to avoid a collision.

Similarly, hazardous road conditions could contribute to a school bus crash in Burbank. Wet or icy roads could cause vehicles to lose traction with the ground, but buses are more susceptible to these hazards because their heavier weight could make it easier for the driver to lose control. Unexpected road conditions, such as unfixed potholes or construction debris, are equally hazardous to buses.

Sometimes the cause of a crash has nothing to do with either driver. There could be significantly more wear and tear on a bus’s mechanical parts than on a regular car. This means that a bus must be regularly maintained to ensure everything is working properly. Neglecting this maintenance could lead to a malfunction that causes the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

Who Is Responsible for a School Bus Accident?

With all these possible causes, often the biggest challenge in a school bus accident case in Burbank is determining who is responsible. Examining the conduct of both drivers is usually the first step, as they are directly involved in the accident. The school district or bus company may be liable for several reasons, as they may have failed to perform the proper maintenance or have deficient hiring and training practices that put unqualified drivers in the bus. The vehicle manufacturer or parts supplier could also be responsible if the cause of the crash was due to a defect or faulty parts.

An experienced attorney could review all parties who had a role in the school bus’s operation to determine who was ultimately responsible for causing a crash. This is a key step toward recovering compensation in a claim.

Possible Compensation After a School Bus Collision

Regardless of who was responsible, injured students and their families may be able to recover two types of financial damages: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are the countable costs that come from the accident and resulting injuries, such as medical expenses and rehabilitation. Non-economic damages are the non-tangible costs, such as emotional distress and pain and suffering.

There is no way to know exactly how much students and their families could recover after a school bus collision in Burbank, as it depends on the extent of the injuries and all the facts surrounding the incident. A knowledgeable attorney could help families better understand their options and give advice on the best path forward.

Talk to a School Bus Crash Lawyer in Burbank

If your child has been hurt, you are likely feeling unsure about how you could make things better. While you may not be able to turn back time to prevent school bus accidents in Burbank, you may be able to recover financial compensation with the help of an attorney from Block LLP.

Our team of lawyers could be by your side for support and guidance throughout the process. Call Block LLP to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.