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School bus accidents can be devastating, but understanding the most common types of accidents and their causes can help keep students safe on their daily commute.
Bus crashes alone can be devastating—but with school buses? The thought of school children in an accident is every parent’s worst nightmare.
Unfortunately, it happens too often in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 998 fatal school-transportation-related crashes occurred from 2012 to 2021. In these crashes, 1,110 people of all ages were killed—an average of 111 fatalities per year.
How can we prevent these types of accidents?
This post will discuss the common types of school bus accidents, alongside preventive measures, and how we can maintain school bus safety.
If you or a loved one have unfortunately been involved in such an accident, we’ll guide you on what to do in the aftermath and how to get fair compensation.
The Prevalence of School Bus Accidents
Here are some staggering U.S. school bus crash statistics from NHTSA’s fact sheet covering 2012-2021 data:
- A total of 335,959 fatal car accidents, motor vehicle, and passenger vehicle crashes took place. Among these incidents, a mere 998 (0.3%) were categorized as school-transportation-related. Notably, less than half, specifically 48%, of these crashes occurred in rural areas.
- Over 10 years, school-transportation-related crashes claimed the lives of 1,110 individuals, averaging 111 fatalities annually. 19% (206) of these tragic deaths involved school-age children (18 and younger).
- 10% of the fatalities were among occupants of school transportation vehicles, while 20% of the fatalities were other motorists and nonoccupants (including pedestrians, bicyclists, and other nonoccupants).
- Out of the fatalities in these accidents, the majority (70%) consisted of individuals who were occupants of other vehicles involved.
- Note that in 2020, due to the pandemic, schools were disrupted and shifted to virtual learning. Hence, school transportation-related fatalities decreased by 51 percent, from 111 in 2019 to 54 in 2020.
- Eventually, schools started to reopen in 2021 and thus increased from 54 to 108 in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
Most Common Types of School Bus Accidents
Here are three of the most common types of school bus accidents:
Rear-end Collisions
Rear-end collisions often occur when another vehicle fails to stop in time, colliding with the back of the bus.
The impact can cause a range of injuries to passengers inside the bus depending on the force of the impact and whether passengers were wearing seat belts.
Victims sustain various injuries—from minor lacerations and bruises to more serious conditions like fractures. And in some severe cases, spinal cord injuries.
Side-Impact Collisions
Side-impact collisions, or T-bone accidents, typically occur when another vehicle fails to yield at an intersection or the driver crashes into the side of the bus because they’re distracted.
Students sitting on the impacted side of the bus (typically on the left side) face potential dangers such as window shattering and direct impact. This leads to injuries ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or concussions.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents are a significant issue in school bus accidents, often occurring when students get on or off the bus, and a vehicle fails to acknowledge the bus’ stop arm or stop sign.
From 2012 to 2021, there were 1.6 times more fatalities among pedestrians (183) than occupants of school transportation vehicles (113) in school transportation-related crashes.
The “Stop” signs on buses are crucial in alerting other drivers to halt and in ensuring the safety of students crossing the street.
Rollovers and Tip-overs
Rollovers and tip-overs often involve sharp turns, high speeds, or collisions with other vehicles.
These types of accidents can result in severe injuries, including head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and even death.
The size and weight of buses make these accidents particularly severe, often resulting in significant damage and potentially serious injuries to the passengers.
Collisions with Stationary Objects
Collisions with stationary objects occur when a bus hits lamp posts, barriers, or parked cars. The typical causes for such incidents are distracted drivers or visibility issues.
Preventative Measures and Safety Protocols
School districts and bus companies must play a crucial role in ensuring general safety on the road, especially for young students. They must implement safety protocols and preventive measures, such as the following:
- Provide proper equipment and training for school bus drivers.
- Establish well-defined criteria and procedures for setting up bus stops and ensuring safe routes.
- Conduct regular maintenance checks on buses.
- Enforce strict traffic laws around school zones.
- Implement safety features such as seat belts, flashing lights, and stop signs
- Roll out safety drills that include practice and instruction on using emergency doors, fire extinguishers, and first-aid equipment
Parents also play an essential role in keeping their children safe during bus rides. Constantly reminding children to stay safe on the road and follow the precautions can go a long way in preventing accidents:
- Stay seated while the bus is in transit.
- Avoid distracting the driver.
- Follow proper boarding and exiting procedures.
- Avoid walking behind a school bus. Instead, cross the street in front of the bus on a sidewalk or along the side of the road.
They must also ensure their child’s school bus has safety features, as listed above.
What to Do if Involved in a School Bus Accident
Any school bus accident can be frightening and overwhelming—especially because it involves children.
It’s crucial to stay calm and take immediate action to ensure everyone’s safety.
- First, if you’re on the bus, check yourself and others for any injuries and call 911 immediately if anyone needs medical attention.
- Gather evidence for any potential legal proceedings. If possible, carefully document the scene by taking photos of the damage to both vehicles, any injuries, and the surrounding area.
- If there are witnesses, gather their contact information in case they need to provide testimony later.
- Contact the police and make a report as soon as possible, providing all necessary details about the accident.
- Lastly, seek medical attention for any injuries sustained during the accident, even if they seem minor. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent but can worsen over time.
It’s also important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer if you or your child has been involved in a school bus accident. They can guide and help navigate the legal process, ensuring you receive fair compensation for injuries and damages.
If You’ve Been Injured in a School Bus Accident, You May Be Entitled to Compensation
School bus accidents can be devastating and have long-lasting effects on the victims and their families. Remember that you have the right to seek justice and hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence.
If you or your child has sustained a catastrophic injury or been involved in a school bus accident, do not hesitate to contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Frantz Law Group. Our California-based law firm will fight for your rights.
Contact us today for a free consultation on determining the party/ies at fault and securing the compensation you deserve.