What to Do if Your Child Is Hurt on the School Bus

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No one wants to hear that their child has been hurt on the school bus. It might have been because of an auto accident or improper supervision. Either way, you need to know where to turn when a serious injury occurs.

School bus accidents can harm your child’s education and development. When your child is hurt on the school bus, it can take them out of school for days or even months. The more severe the injury, the more likely you will need help getting support for your child and your family. But you can do some things to help yourself.

Get the Details of the School Bus Injury


You never know what detail could make or break a school bus accident case. Sadly, when a child is hurt on the bus, there can be a lack of adult witnesses able to testify. Talk to your kid right away to help them document what happened. Be specific. Write down names, dates, times, and locations. Even details like what seat the child was sitting in when the injury happened matter. Your bus accident lawyer can help you sort out the important details later.

Document Bus Injuries and Recovery Progress


One thing few people think to do after a school bus accident is take pictures of the injuries their children suffered. Visual evidence of harm to children can be compelling if your case goes to trial. By the time a lawyer gets involved, many of those wounds will be healed.

You should also record your child’s recovery process. Keep a journal of their good days and their bad days. This will help the jury see how the injury harmed your child’s life.

File a Notice of Claim With Your Insurer


If the injury is related to the operation of the bus itself (rather than a fight or bullying that occurred there), get your auto insurer involved right away. Many auto insurers have short windows for you to file a claim for no-fault benefits. Because the child was not injured in the car, some parents miss the chance to claim healthcare expenses and attendant care (including child care costs for time off school) simply by not calling their insurer.

Look at School Bus Responsibility


You can help your auto accident lawyer by looking at the transportation arrangements of the school bus involved. Is it owned by the school district or operated by a transportation company? Are there cameras on the bus? Your lawyer will help you dig deeper, looking at the bus driver’s record and the school’s hiring practices. But by getting a jump on this investigation, you can help your lawyer find the proper parties.

School bus accident lawsuits can be complex and involve a lot of people. You will need an experienced legal team to get you the best result. By helping yourself and your family right after the injury, you will be better able to help your injured child later on.