Buffalo, New York, Car Accidents Caused By Failing To Stop For A School Bus

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Established as an American Institute of Trial Lawyers Litigator of the Year and New York Super Lawyer, and His Team of Veteran Lawyers at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. Battle to Obtain the Highest Damages for Victims of Auto Accidents Caused by Failing to Stop for School Buses in Buffalo, New York.

Every day, more than 24 million children ride school buses throughout the United States. In recent years, accidents involving school buses have dramatically increased. Many of these crashes are caused by other drivers failing to stop for school buses. It is shocking how many drivers recklessly drive past school buses, stopped, with their red flashing lights on. It is not only against the law to do so, but it places the lives of innocent children in serious jeopardy. Unfortunately, not stopping for a school bus can result in severe injuries and even fatalities to children on their way to or from school. The greatest threat to kids is not riding the bus itself but when boarding or getting off of their school buses.

Our seasoned personal injury lawyers have seen the heart-breaking consequences of school bus accidents, especially those involving young children being struck by cars. Every driver needs to realize that the biggest penalty for failing to stop for a school bus is not the traffic ticket but the potentially devastating aftermath of seriously injuring or even killing a child. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), between 2007 to 2016, school bus-related accidents killed over 1,280 victims. Nobody, especially young children, should be forced to bear the physical, emotional, and psychological traumas of another’s recklessness. If you, or your child, were critically injured in a crash caused by another’s failure to stop for the school bus, you owe it to yourself to talk to a highly experienced personal injury attorney. Pursuing a personal injury claim against those responsible for the accident may be the best way to start putting your life back together.

Jed Dietrich, Esq. understands the agony and grief that accident victims and their parents may suffer after being critically injured. Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his battle-tested team of attorneys, have fought to obtain over $175 million in verdicts and settlements for injured victims in Buffalo, New York, and beyond. We are the aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury attorneys who are ready to fight for the compensation that your child deserves! Please see our Google 5 Star rating and clients’ testimonials by clicking here. Our top rated team is available 24 hours per day and 7 days per week at (716) 839-3939 or by completing the online consultation form.

Regardless of the direction, a vehicle is approaching from; every driver must stop for stopped school buses that are flashing their red lights. Drivers should stop at least 20 feet away from stopped buses. The fine for passing a stopped school bus for the 1st conviction is a minimum of $250. Regretfully, drivers illegally pass stopped school buses over 13 million times per year. Crashes caused by failing to stop for school buses typically involve various factors, including:

1. Speeding: If a school bus driver suddenly breaks because they missed a stop, speeding motorists may be unable to stop fast enough. When the average vehicle travels at 20 mph, it needs approximately 23 feet to come to a complete stop.
2. Distracted Driving: With school buses frequently stopping to let children on and off, drivers must pay attention to the bus. Various reports have revealed that the likelihood of distracted drivers getting into a collision is 3 times higher. While inattentiveness is a common element in most accidents, it can be especially dangerous around school buses. Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds could cause you to drive past a stopped school bus.
3. Driving Fatigued: Driving without enough sleep drastically reduces reaction times and affects the brain’s complex motor skills, vision, and thought process. Going 18 hours without sleep is equivalent to driving with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .05%.
4. Inclement Weather Conditions: Bad weather such as rainfall, hail, snow, and ice can create slippery roads and make it much harder for cars to stop. Also, fog and heavy precipitation can significantly hinder a driver’s visibility of school children that are walking to and from buses.
5. Reckless or Negligent Driving: Getting stuck behind a school bus can be a nightmare for commuters. When drivers are in a hurry, their aggressive driving behaviors often increase. Tailgating, erratic driving, assuming the right-of-way, and deliberately accelerating to beat a school bus can all increase the risk of hitting stopped buses.

According to New York law, drivers should not proceed until the children are safely off the road and the bus’s red lights stop flashing after stopping for a school bus.

Children are safest when accidents happen while they are on the bus. However, getting on and off the bus can be a treacherous task. Sadly, countless young, innocent lives have been tragically stolen because drivers neglected to stop for school buses. The number one priority for parents and bus drivers should always be children’s safety. Although some bus accidents are unavoidable, parents can keep their children safe by teaching them the following:

1. When entering or exiting the bus, avoid all unnecessary distractions;
2. Never play or congregate while waiting for the bus;
3. Wait for the bus at least six feet away from the curb;
4. When on the bus, always remain seated because the seats are energy-absorbing;
5. Wear a seatbelt, especially when riding on a smaller bus;
6. Always cross the street at least 10 feet in front of the bus;
7. Never assume that vehicles nearby will stop for the bus; and
8. When the bus arrives, always wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and the driver to say it is alright before approaching.

Any serious injury involving a family member can be unsettling, but having your child injured is especially heartbreaking. If your child has been injured because someone failed to stop for their school bus, contact the battle-tested Buffalo, New York bus accident injury attorneys at Dietrich Law Firm P.C. For over two decades, Jed Dietrich, Esq., a proud member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, has exclusively handled serious personal injury cases, including many school bus accidents. You can always count on our highly experienced lawyers to help you navigate the system. The parents or legal guardians of injured children can pursue a personal injury lawsuit on their child’s behalf to recover compensation. Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his elite team would be honored to discuss your case in further detail. Our outstanding attorneys are available twenty-four-seven at (716) 839-3939 or by completing the online consultation form.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at (716) 839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!