At this time of year, parents and families are getting ready for back to school, and that means school buses. While school buses are generally safe, they are involved in traffic collisions which can cause devastating injuries.
In Hollywood and other communities, pedestrian accidents are actually more likely with school buses. The greatest moments of danger for children are when they are disembarking or boarding the bus. There are a few ways you can help keep your kids safe:
- Talk about school bus safety: If your children are new to school buses, especially, talk about safety rules and how to stay safe. Emphasize the importance of listening to the bus driver and staying in their seat.
- Practice: Consider practicing getting on and off a bus with your kids. You can do this by hopping on a train or local bus or just practicing in your home.
- Teach children about larger vehicles: Tell children bus drivers cannot see kids close to the bus. Tell your children they need to be at least seven big steps ahead of the bus and must be able to make eye contract with the driver in mirrors to make sure they are seen. Stress to children they should never get close to moving, large vehicles for this reason.
- Don’t let kids play outside when waiting for the bus: They may run into traffic and forget about the good safety rules they have learned.
- Keep pets inside: Dogs and other pets can run after the bus or approach the bus, and this can mean children chase after them, potentially getting in the way of the vehicle and putting themselves at risk of serious injury.
- Wait with kids for the bus: There is no replacement for good supervision. Wait with children at the bus stop and meet them at the stop after school. This allows you to ensure they can safely get on board and off board the bus.
- Teach children to get on and off the bus safely: Tell children to wait to cross the street until the driver indicates it’s safe. Make sure children know to cross well ahead of the bus. Teach children to wait until the bus has made a complete stop before they try disembarking.
- Encourage children to have good communication with the school bus driver: Encourage them to listen and to tell the driver if they have dropped something near the bus rather than trying to fetch it themselves.
Has Your Child Been Injured?
The reality is that a serious accident can cause your child significant pain and can shape their future for years to come. Your child may need additional tutoring, extended stay in the hospital, and more care. You may lose income to care for your child. If someone’s negligence caused the injuries, you may be able to file a claim to seek compensation for these and other damages so you can give your child the best care she or she can receive.
If your child has been injured in a pedestrian accident or school bus accident in Hollywood or anywhere in South Florida contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a bus accident attorney.