School Bus Accidents

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School bus accidents are among the most tragic of all motor vehicle accidents due to the inherent involvement of young children. As a result, substantial damages are often at issue in cases of this type, and vigorous representation is required to bring all responsible parties to justice. In New York, seatbelts are required for any school bus or other motor vehicle used for the transportation of schoolchildren. 15 N.Y.C.R.R. §49.6. There are, however, certain exceptions for older school buses in use prior to the effective date of the relevant regulations and statutes. N.Y. Educ. Law §3635-a (Consol. 2002). Also, school districts and school bus drivers may not ordinarily be held liable for personal injuries solely because an injured passenger was not wearing a seat belt, unless the municipal employees failed to properly maintain the seatbelt equipment or failed to comply with applicable statutes, rules or regulations. N.Y. Educ. Law §3813(4).

A school bus-related crash is a crash which involves, either directly or indirectly, a school bus-type vehicle, or a vehicle functioning as a school bus, transporting children to or from school or school-related activities. Since 1995 there have been about 416,295 fatal traffic crashes. Of those, 0.33 percent (1,368) were classified as school transportation-related. Since 1995, 1,509 people have died in school transportation-related crashes — an average of 137 fatalities per year. Most of the people who lost their lives in those crashes (70%) were occupants of other vehicles involved. Nonoccupants (pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.) accounted for 22 percent of the deaths, and occupants of school transportation vehicles accounted for 8 percent.

Since 1995, 170 school-age pedestrians (younger than 19) have died in school transportation-related crashes. Nearly two-thirds (65%) were killed by school buses, 5 percent by vehicles functioning as school buses, and 30 percent by other vehicles involved in the crashes. Nearly one-half (49%) of all school-age pedestrians killed in school transportation-related crashes were between the ages of 5 and 7.

More school-age pedestrians are killed in the afternoon than in the morning, with 32 percent of the fatalities occurring in crashes between 3 and 4 p.m. Between 1995 and 2005, 97 crashes occurred in which at least one occupant of a school transportation vehicle died. More than half of those crashes (55%) involved at least one other vehicle. In 52 percent of all crashes involving fatalities to occupants of a school transportation vehicle, the principal point of impact was the front of the vehicle. Since 1995, 6 drivers and 13 passengers have died in school bus body vehicles providing transportation for purposes other than school or school-related activities (churches, civic organizations, etc.). In 1987, one such multi-vehicle crash resulted in the deaths of 27 occupants, including the driver.

In all automobile accident cases it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the accident in question, and to enable physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate any injuries. If you or a loved one is a victim of an automobile accident, call The Law Offices of Leandros A. Vrionedes, P.C. now at (212) 889-9362 or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A SIMPLE CASE FORM. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.