What to Do If Your Child Is Hurt in a School Bus Accident
For parents, one of the worst phone calls to get is that their child was hurt in a school bus accident. Heaven forbid you get one of these calls, it’s still important that you know what to do in this situation – and we can help. Read this article to learn exactly what you can and should do if this should happen to you.
Going to school should be a normal part of your child’s daily routine. If you’ve found yourself as the parent of a child who got involved in a school bus accident, suddenly your whole world has turned upside down.
A place that was once safe for your child isn’t. You aren’t sure what to do or how to help your child get the help they need. You want to hold the school accountable, but don’t know how to do so.
Learn more about how a qualified attorney can help with something as traumatic as your child getting involved in a bus accident. No matter what the outcome, you and your child are entitled to justice and peace of mind.
Seek Medical Help Once You Discover Your Child’s Been in a School Bus Accident
If your child was hurt in a school bus accident, the most important thing is getting them to a doctor right away. Even if their injuries don’t appear severe, you want to ensure they’re seen by a medical professional.
Sometimes people can suffer from traumas that aren’t obvious to the eye when they’ve been in a car accident. Many people who find themselves the victims of a car accident suffer from PTSD; this includes both adults and children.
Tell the doctor what happened, and get any medical procedures they believe are relevant to this situation. It’s difficult when your child was hurt while at school and you think it’s due to negligence.
Do everything you can to protect them by getting them checked out right away, before moving on to the next step.
Start Recording Details of the Accident
After your child gets evaluated, the next step is to record what happened during the bus accident. Have your child tell you everything they can remember, so you have their own account of what occurred.
Don’t just stop with your child. Get eyewitness accounts from other people who experienced the accident and know what happened.
This can include both parents and children, or even people just near the area.
Representatives from the school often reach out to parents whose children got involved in accidents while driving. The representative can outline what steps the school plans to take in response to this matter, and let you know what to expect next.
While this is helpful, it’s important to keep clear logs of who you talked to, the day, date, and time this conversation, and what was said. Having this information and knowing exactly what happened can protect you in case further problems arise later on or the school doesn’t follow through with a promise.
Don’t Talk to Anyone Other Than Your Doctor or Attorney About the Incident
After the accident occurred, it’s likely the school feels nervous about how you’re going to handle the situation and if you’re going to sue them. You have every right to feel angry and want to seek justice for your child.
Make a point not to talk with school representatives, principals, teachers, or anyone else who works at the school about the accident. It doesn’t matter if what you want to say is positive or negative in nature.
Your words can get turned against you, and used by the school for grounds that they don’t owe you (or your child) damages for pain and suffering. Sometimes they’ll ask you to sign a form that relieves them of any responsibility.
In any case, make sure you don’t and avoid situations where you feel you’ll get harassed or badgered by people at the school if you choose to sue.
The only people you should discuss the accident with are your doctor and your lawyer. Make sure you have a Bus Accident Lawyer who is familiar with these situations and can help you navigate the legal implications.
A lawsuit against a school for negligence can feel like a scary matter to undertake. Know that you’re doing so to protect your child from any future incidents that might occur, and you’ll hopefully prevent the same accidents from happening to others, too.
Keep a Record of Medical Issues Since the Bus Accident
Even if your child got seen by a doctor, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in the clear. People who have been in accidents experience shock and don’t always show physical symptoms of an accident right away.
It’s not just the physical side of an accident that can affect children. Many have found themselves victims of nightmares, depression, and even frightened to ride in cars or busses again.
Make a point to document and discuss with your doctor any signs your child shows such as:
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Obvious pain
- Nightmares or other bad dreams related to the bus accident
In cases such as these, it’s possible you need help from other professionals, such as a therapist or even specialist doctors.
Bring these factors up when you talk with your lawyer, so he can help you decide how much money to request for pain and suffering. Doctor visits get expensive, and if your child suffered because of the school’s negligence, you shouldn’t get stuck footing the bill.
Discover How an Attorney Can Help You
If you haven’t found an attorney yet, you’ve likely realized how having one can make a huge difference in your case. When it comes to dealing with something as a school bus accident, let a qualified lawyer help you get the justice you and your child deserve.
If you’re curious about the importance of having an attorney, check out our blog 7 tips on finding a good accident lawyer. You’ll know what qualities to look for in your lawyer and how to make sure you’ve found the right fit for your child’s case against the school.
