Omaha School Bus Accident Attorneys

Representing Omaha School Bus Injury Victims

School buses are one of the safest forms of transportation for a child. Less than 1% of traffic fatalities involve children being transported in school vehicles, as stated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nevertheless, that is 1% too many, and far more children are injured on school buses, or while leaving or approaching a school bus.

In September 2022, a school bus carrying children collided with a semi-trailer truck on a rural highway near Champion, Nebraska, as reported by the New York Post. The bus driver and 11 children ages six to 15 were injured when the bus spun and flipped over onto the driver’s side after the rear passenger side was hit by the semi. If your child has been injured in a school bus accident, it is in your best interests to speak with an Omaha personal injury lawyer.

How Do School Bus Accidents Happen?

A school bus accident can happen anywhere a school bus is transporting children to or from school or bus stops. Possible reasons include:

• Bus driver fatigue
• Poor bus maintenance
• Inadequate driver training
• Drug or alcohol impaired driving
• Distracted operation of a bus
• Failure to comply with traffic regulations
• Overloaded bus
• Negligence of other drivers

Children can be injured while they are waiting for a school bus, approaching to board, or walking away after getting off the bus. It is illegal to pass a school bus with its stop arm extended and red lights flashing. Children can be injured or killed when they are hit by drivers who ignore these traffic laws.

Who Is Liable When a School Bus Accident Occurs?

Liability for school bus accidents is based on negligence, or breach of a duty of care in a particular situation. Bus drivers are held to a higher standard of care and may be liable if driver negligence caused a crash or injuries. For example, if the bus driver was speeding, disregarding a traffic signal, or distracted by reading a text message at the time of the crash, negligence can be established.

If a mechanical defect in the bus or another vehicle caused or contributed to the crash, a vehicle or parts manufacturer may be held liable for damages in a product liability claim. Other potentially liable parties may include:

• School district
• School bus company
• Municipality in which the bus crash occurred
• Other motorist who caused the collision

What Forms of Compensation Are Available If Your Child Has Been Injured?

You may be entitled to seek compensation for your child’s injuries in a claim for compensation against the responsible parties. The value of your case will depend on the severity of the injuries, the degree and extent of treatment, and other factors. Your damages may include past and future medical expenses, lost wages as a result of your child’s injuries, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other losses. Our Omaha bus accident attorney can assess the full extent of your damages.

How Can an Omaha Injury Lawyer Help?

School bus accidents are complex cases with multiple potentially liable parties. School districts and municipalities have sovereign immunity, meaning they can only be sued under certain circumstances, and specific procedures must be followed. To prevail in a lawsuit, you must prove negligence. Our Omaha school bus accident attorney can negotiate skillfully on your behalf for a fair settlement and fight for the compensation you deserve in court if necessary.

At Bottlinger Law L.L.C., we work tirelessly for a fair recovery in your case. We are compassionate listeners and effective litigators. After a serious school bus accident, contact us at (402) 505-8234 to schedule a free consultation.