When parents are rushing in the mornings to pack lunches, dress kids, and get them ready for school, most do not consider the fact that their children’s safety may be threatened before the first bell of the day rings. But in fact, an average of two school bus accidents occur in Arizona every day; many of the annual collisions take place in Maricopa County, including the greater Phoenix area. Fortunately, many of these instances are minor and do not cause the children involved to be injured, but that is not the case with every incident. In some collisions and in many instances involving a child boarding or disembarking from a bus, injuries result and necessitate medical treatment.
Damages to a child who is harmed in a school bus collision can range from the minor to the severe but what often remains as a constant is that negligence on the part of one or more individuals involved caused the crash. Without that negligence, the child likely would never have been injured. The laws in Phoenix recognize that an innocent child and his or her family should not have to bear the financial burden caused by these collisions and therefore the laws enable these victims to seek compensation for their damages. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who represents children and minors, particularly those who have been injured in school bus accidents, may help you understand your legal options if your child was hurt.
Eight children and one driver were on board a school bus in Paulden on Tuesday morning when the bus collided with a semi-truck for reasons that are not yet clear. The incident occurred on Highway 89 and resulted in significant damage to both the truck and the bus. Emergency crews responded to the scene and evaluated all those who were involved, including two injured children from the bus. Those two children were transported to area hospitals with injuries that have not been disclosed but that are believed to be minor. All other children and the driver of the bus appeared to sustain no injuries in the incident.
The driver of the semi-truck was seriously hurt in the collision and taken to a hospital in a nearby town. Police have stated that the investigation into this incident is ongoing at this time and there have been no reports as to whether any traffic citations or other charges will be issued as a result of the crash.
When a child is involved in an accident, it can be difficult to understand the full nature of the injuries sustained, especially when a child is young. The victim may not be able to fully express his or her pain and limitations or the injuries may intensify as a child ages and grows. For these reasons, injuries that initially seemed minor may turn into something more severe and may result in chronic suffering for a child who was involved in a crash.
The lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. have helped numerous victims of school bus accidents and their families seek the relief they deserve through civil claims for damages, and if your child has been hurt, we want to help you as well. We offer a free consultation without any obligation on your part regarding the accident and your child’s case and we are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we never charge our clients a fee unless we make a recovery in their cases and we fight for the best possible outcome in every case we handle. If your life has been changed by a school bus accident, let us help you seek a recovery you deserve now.
Prior Blog Entry:
Elderly Man Killed in Arizona Golf Cart Accident, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published September 10, 2014.
Resource:
2 children injured in school bus crash with semi-truck in Paulden, Ariz., ABC15.com, published September 10, 2014.