Omaha School Bus Accident Lawyer
Collision Involving a School Buses in Nebraska
When you put your child on the school bus each morning, you trust that they will get to their destination and back safely. As a parent, you have to believe this, or you'd never let go of their little hand. Tragically, a child doesn't always return home in the same condition they left. According to statistics the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of 18 school-aged children die in school bus-related accidents each year. Of those 18, six of the fatalities were occupants of a school bus; the other 12 were pedestrians or passengers in other vehicles. While these numbers may be small compared to overall vehicle-related deaths annually, the loss of one child is one too many.
Aside from death, there is the far more real likelihood that your child may be injured on a school bus. If your child has been injured in a school bus-related incident, it is important that you seek experienced personal injury counsel. If your child's injury was due to negligence, you may be entitled to damages for medical costs, pain and suffering, physical therapy, and financial difficulties related to the injury.
The Omaha law offices of Cullan & Cullan LLC have an esteemed legal team with many years of experience in the arena of personal injury law. If you are considering legal or civil action over a child's injury, call our Omaha bus accident attorneys today with any questions you may have, at (402) 882-7080.
Can A Nebraska School District Be Held Liable For A School Bus Injury?
Like most branches and agencies of federal, state, county, and municipal governments, school districts are what's known as "political subdivisions," and have what is called "sovereign immunity." This means that the government entity and its employees are immune to lawsuits. Fortunately, legal action is allowed under certain circumstances. Unfortunately, such litigation is very difficult and complicated. This is another reason to obtain experienced legal representation.
As with all liability claims, if you can prove negligence, you have a case. While statutes regarding suits against school districts vary by state, it is usually recommended that you file a claim against the school district before filing a lawsuit.
The School District May Not Be The Only Defendant
If your child is injured on a school bus, it is likely that the school district isn't the only responsible party. You also need to consider the liability of the school bus company, the driver, another motorist if a collision is involved, and the municipality in which the injury occurs. Faulty traffic signals and traffic engineering may have contributed to the injury.
It's true that the school buses of today are much safer than the school buses of 30 years ago. In fact, the American School Bus Council (ASBC) says that children traveling by school bus are 20 times more likely to arrive safely than children traveling with a parent or guardian.
As a parent, your child's safety is your greatest concern. The Omaha child injury lawyers at Cullan & Cullan LLC understand this and want you to rest assured that if your child is hurt while going to or from school, we will be there to represent you. If your child is injured while riding on a school bus, you may be entitled to legal and civil action. We can help you recoup the costs of medical bills, collect damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more. Call us today at (402) 882-7080 for a free consultation. A child is a precious thing.