On the daily, thousands of children in Sandy Springs hop onto a yellow school bus to get to and from school. Parents trust the school system and school bus drivers to ensure that their kids get to each destination free of harm—and that’s usually the case. However, sometimes school bus accidents do happen if someone is negligent along the way. If your child was involved in one, it’s time to call a Sandy Springs school bus accident lawyer.
Our attorneys at John Foy & Associates have been helping injured bus passengers and their families for more than 20 years. The goal is to get you full compensation for the injuries and other costs that have resulted from the accident. Plus, we do not charge a fee unless we win you money, so there is no risk to you.
To discuss the details and your legal options during a FREE consultation as soon as possible, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online today.
How School Bus Accidents Can Happen in Sandy Springs
In general, school buses are considered to be safe than other vehicles. The safety standards for school bus drivers (and maintenance of the buses) are stricter than for other motor vehicles. That makes it all the more surprising and upsetting when a school bus accident happens.
The most common reasons we see behind school bus accidents happening include:
- Bus driver errors
- Driving while distracted or under the influence
- Poor school bus driver training
- Maintenance or equipment errors with the bus or
- Another driver failing to follow traffic laws around the bus
The cause of the school bus accident will also determine who is responsible for the damages. If the school bus driver caused the accident, the school district that hired them will typically be at fault. However, there are some serious situations where you may be able to pursue legal action against the driver, too.
If the accident resulted from a maintenance issue or defective bus part, a maintenance company or manufacturer may be at fault. In other cases, a third party driver might be at fault for the accident if they collided with the bus or hit a child while getting on or off the bus.
An experienced bus accident lawyer will know how the investigate the accident and ultimately determine who holds the responsibility. From there, they can know your legal options and help you start taking action.
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School Bus Safety Rules in Sandy Springs
The Georgia Department of Health (GaDOE) has lots of information about school bus safety for all ages. Drivers, students, and other motorists should be aware of the laws around school bus safety:
- Most of the time, all drivers meeting or overtaking a bus must stop when a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing and its stop arm extended. The bus should begin flashing amber lights when about to stop, and drivers should take that as a sign to slow down and get ready to stop.
- Drivers do not have to stop if the school bus is on the other side of a grass, concrete, or dirt median.
- Drivers also have a duty to be cautious when a school bus is around and watch for children.
- Vehicles should stay stopped until all children have boarded the bus (if in the morning) or all children are 12 feet off of the roadway (if in the afternoon).
In addition, bus drivers have a no-excuses legal duty to exercise “extraordinary diligence” when operating their buses and transporting students (Georgia Code § 46-9-1). Failing to do so is a great act of negligence that your family should not have to pay for if an accident happens.
A Sandy Springs school bus lawyer can make sure your child’s rights are upheld if they become injured in a school bus accident. At John Foy & Associates, we have 20 plus years of experience working on these types of cases, and we are here to help. To learn more and schedule a FREE consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online today.
Sovereign Immunity and School Bus Accidents in Sandy Springs
School bus accident cases are not the same as car accident cases. There is something called “sovereign immunity” that can make your case more complicated. Sovereign immunity is a legal doctrine that protects the state from lawsuits unless the state waives that immunity.
Public schools in Georgia, including in Sandy Springs, do usually have sovereign immunity in injury cases. Government officials and employees are also typically protected by sovereign immunity in Georgia. However, there are exceptions to sovereign immunity that may apply to a school bus accident case.
Sovereign immunity is waived, up to a certain amount, for negligent use of a local government vehicle that results in injuries or death. This can apply to injuries that a child suffers while being transported on a school bus. Immunity can also be waived if a student becomes injured during a crash with a third party vehicle.
How a Sandy Springs Lawyer Can Help Your Case
Pursuing legal action after a school bus accident is often complicated, so you will need a legal professional who understands applicable state and local laws. An experienced lawyer can thoroughly investigate your case and the cause of the crash. Then, they will consider all possible options and help you fight for the recovery you and your family deserve.
Speak with a Sandy Springs School Bus Accident Lawyer for Free Today
At John Foy & Associates, we understand how painful it can be dealing with the aftermath of an injury accident involving your child. You trust school districts and bus drivers to be diligent in their positions to keep your kid safe, and they should be held responsible if they fail in that duty. We can help.
With more than 20 years of experience helping injury victims, we know how to handle the complexity of school bus accident cases. We also do not charge a fee unless we win you money, so there are no upfront or out-of-pocket fees to worry about. To get started with a FREE, no-risk consultation today, call (404) 400-4000, or contact us online.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
