Each day, 450,000 American children are transported to and from
school by bus. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) reports that school bus accidents cause an average of 137
fatalities and send an additional 17,000 students to the emergency room
each year. When parents entrust school bus drivers with their
children's safety, drivers must abide by all transportation laws and
exercise an especially high level of care. Schoolchildren are seen to
have a special status in the eyes of the law, and they deserve more
than ordinary protection.
According to the National
Coalition for School Bus Safety, Florida is one of five states that
have implemented varying safety belt requirements for school buses. In
a 2002 report to Congress, the NHTSA recommended against lap-only belts
in school buses because they can be dangerous, especially for small
children; by restraining them high on the abdomen, lap-only seatbelts
can cause internal injury during a crash.
Claims for
damages against a public or governmental entity are complex and have
strict time limitations; they also vary greatly depending on the
circumstances surrounding the accident. Bus accident victims should
therefore obtain an experienced lawyer to present their claim. Contact the Orlando, Central Florida bus accident attorneys at McElyea & Barnard, P.A.,. to schedule a consultation. |