Every day, parents send their children off to school, expecting them to return home safe and sound. Yet, in November of 2016, as families across the country gave thanks, six families in Tennessee grieved the loss of their children. Their school bus crashed and toppled over before slamming into a tree. The impact was so severe that it nearly split the bus in two. What kind of actions might other parents take, should this ever happen to their child? The following explains.
Driver Negligence Said to Be Major Factor in Crash
Investigators began examining the details of the crash, and what might have caused it, shortly after it occurred. What they found was beyond disturbing. Not only was the driver said to have been on his cellphone at one point during the drive (allegedly caught on camera), he was also said to have been driving at least 20 miles per hour over the speed limit. This could be considered gross negligence on his part. Yet he is not the only one who should be held accountable – at least not in this case.
Parents of Children Have the Right to Pursue Compensation
As in most motor vehicle crashes, victims and their families have the right to pursue compensation for any injuries or wrongful deaths that occur because of negligent driver behavior. Unfortunately, cases involving school buses are often more complex. Schools are a government entity, and they are often protected from certain forms of litigation. Yet these protections do not excuse them from wrongdoing.
News sources claim that the Chattanooga bus driver had previously been convicted in other crashes prior to the one that led to the death of six children and injuries of many others. They also state that he had a history of speeding and reckless driving. This should have been addressed by the school and the driving company responsible for hiring him. With his record, he never should have been permitted to transport such precious cargo.
Contact Our Appleton Bus Accident Lawyers
If your child has been injured because of a school bus driver’s negligent behavior – or even the behavior of another driver while on the bus – it is critical that you seek experienced legal assistance with your claim. This not only protects your child from having uncovered expenses, it increases the chance that your child will have the full and fair compensation they need to cover any additional treatments they may need to address issues like post-traumatic stress.
At Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd., we believe that children should be protected, and we will fight aggressively to protect yours. Our Wisconsin bus accident lawyers also understand that you and your family need time to heal and grieve, so we will skillfully handle all the legal complexities of your case. To learn more about how we can assist you, call 920-739-7366 today.
Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/23/us/chattanooga-school-bus-crash/
http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/15/us/chattanooga-bus-crash/
http://fox17.com/news/local/company-asks-court-to-throw-out-lawsuit-in-deadly-chattanooga-school-bus-crash