Children throughout Ohio and across the country rely on school buses to keep them safe as they travel to and from school each day. While school bus accidents are not common, they can and do occur, and it is important to know your legal rights and what to do if your child was injured in one.

Even though school buses are some of the safest vehicles on the road, many are not equipped with seatbelts. A school bus accident can cause serious injuries and, in the most severe cases, wrongful death.

If your child was injured in a school bus accident, you may not know what to do or where to turn next. At Robenalt Law, our lawyers have decades of combined experience representing injured people and the families of children injured in school bus accidents. We know Ohio personal injury law inside and out, and we know what it takes to get results.

Contact our law office today to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.

Causes of Injuries in School Bus Accidents

When a school bus is involved in a crash, children can be thrown from their seats, resulting in broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, damage to internal organs, and other injuries.

Children can also be injured getting on and off the bus. Drivers should be aware of buses and must stop when the school bus lights are flashing. Passing a school bus is dangerous and can seriously injure a child. Unfortunately, many drivers try to pass school buses, even when it is unlawful to do so.

What To Do After an Ohio School Bus Accident

If your child was injured in a school bus accident, while loading or unloading the bus, or struck by a driver illegally trying to pass a stopped school bus, you may not know where to turn or what to do next.

Robenalt Law represents the families of children injured in Ohio school bus accidents. We can advise you of your rights and legal options, help you decide on your best course of action, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

If your child was involved in a school bus accident:

• Gather as much information as you can from the person who notified you.
• Once you learn the details, ensure your child and others are receiving appropriate medical care and treatment.
• Document your child’s injuries by making copies of medical records and bills, take photos of visible wounds, and write down information about the details of the accident, such as the time and place and the name(s) of the drivers involved.
• Even if your child does not have injuries that are immediately apparent, you should have your child examined by a medical provider to diagnose any hard-to-identify injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding.
• Keep detailed records about communications and other information about the school bus accident and any injuries your child experienced.
• Contact our law firm to schedule an appointment to discuss your rights.

Legal Liability in Ohio School Bus Accidents

Proving fault and establishing liability in an Ohio school bus accident can be particularly challenging. If your child was injured in a school bus accident, your family may be entitled to compensation for:

• Economic damages for financial losses caused by the school bus accident, such as the cost of past and future medical expenses.
• Non-economic damages for intangible losses that do not have a specific monetary value, such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life

Multiple parties may share liability for causing a school bus accident, including:

• The school bus driver
• Other drivers involved in the crash
• The school bus driver’s employer
• The school district
• Third parties, such as companies that manufactured a defective bus part

Understanding Sovereign Immunity in Ohio School Bus Accident Cases

Most school buses are owned and operated by school districts. As government entities, they are entitled to sovereign immunity. “Sovereign immunity” is a set of laws that protect governments and government entities from being held liable in certain situations. In some school bus accident cases, victims cannot recover directly from the school district due to sovereign immunity protections.

Robenalt Law can determine whether sovereign immunity applies, identify other potentially liable parties, and help you evaluate your options and possible next steps.

Robenalt Law Represents Victims Injured in Ohio School Bus Accidents

When a school bus accident causes injuries, having experienced legal representation is crucial. For more than 30 years, Robenalt Law has represented people injured and the families of people who were killed in motor vehicle accidents. We will work to identify all potentially responsible parties and hold them accountable for the harm they caused.

Contact Robenalt Law Today

Robenalt Law has offices in Cleveland and Columbus handles personal injury and wrongful death claims throughout Ohio and nationwide.

Call our Cleveland office at (216) 223-7535 or our Columbus office at (614)-695-3800 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.