Although considered a safe means of transportation, school bus accidents can happen. Accidents occur on account of bus driver negligence, another driver or weather or driving conditions.
Kids can suffer a range of injuries from a school bus accident, leading to medical bills, extra costs associated with care and mental or emotional trauma.
Common school bus accidents
Many crashes involving school buses take place while the bus is transporting children to or from school. The most common accidents involving buses typically involve a rear-end collision. Causes are likely to include distracted driving, speeding, illegal passing, poor visibility, inexperience and reckless driving. These accidents are not always the fault of the bus driver. Accidents happen when other motorists fail to yield to a school bus, try to pass illegally or follow too closely.
Common school bus injuries
School buses do not contain seatbelts, leaving children unrestrained when traveling onboard. In spite of the size of a bus, speed and location impact the potential seriousness of injuries sustained in an accident. Injuries can cover a wide range, including:
- Head injuries such as traumatic brain injuries or concussions
- Neck injuries, with whiplash being a more common one
- Spinal cord and other back injuries
- Broken or fractured bones in the hands, legs, arms or feet
- Internal injuries, such as bleeding or organ damage
The size and age of the child involved also impacts injury severity.
Regardless of how serious the accident seems, it is important that a doctor examine a child following a bus accident. Treatment or therapies could help the child physically and emotionally move past the ordeal.