Seattle School Bus Accident Attorney

A Seattle bus accident attorney from Fang Law Firm can help if your child was injured in a bus crash.

When you send your child off to school, you typically don’t think about an accident happening on the bus. Bus accidents can happen and they do. When bus accidents occur the injuries are typically catastrophic. Your child may be facing a lifetime of recovery for the injuries caused in the school bus accident. Medical bills and rehabilitation bills will start to pile up and you shouldn’t have to worry about paying the bills while your child is recovering.

Fang Law Firm Can Help

• We’ll keep you in the loop. We know how stressful this process can be, we’re dedicated to keeping you informed on the status of your claim or case every step of the way.
• We have significant litigation experience. Our Seattle accident attorneys aren’t afraid to go to trial if necessary.
• Attorney support. Our attorneys are involved in every case we take, you’ll never be passed off to a junior associate or paralegal.

Causes of School Bus Accidents

• Distracted driving
• Weather conditions
• DUIs
• Poor training
• Speeding

Who is Liable in a School Bus Accident?

In order to recover financially, a lawsuit must be brought against the at-fault person. If the bus driver is at-fault for the accident then the following people can be liable:

• The school bus driver: If the bus driver is reckless or negligent in driving the bus they can be held responsible for any injuries caused stemming from their reckless or negligent actions.
• The school district: The school district can be liable if they knew or should have known of the bus driver’s reckless or negligent behavior.
• The bus driver contracting agency: The bus driver contracting agency may be on notice of the bus driver’s actions; if so they can be held liable for any injuries caused from looking the other way.
• The school district or bus driver’s insurance company: An attorney can help you recover from the school district’s or the bus driver’s insurance company due to the negligent or reckless actions of the bus driver.

If the bus driver is not at-fault, a Seattle bus accident lawyer can help you recover from:

• • The at-fault, third party driver. If a negligent third party driver is at-fault, an attorney can assist you in recovering from the at-fault drivers auto insurance policy.

Bus or bus parts manufacturers. In the event that the accident was due to a faulty bus or faulty party, a Seattle bus accident lawyer can assist you in filing a products liability or negligence action against the manufacturer.

Washington School Bus Law

RCW 46.61.370 outlines the requirements of motor vehicle drivers when approaching a school bus.

• Drivers that approach a school bus that has stopped on the road to let children out, must stop before reaching the school bus.
• If you are on the roadway and are separated from the school bus by a median, you don’t need to stop.
• The school bus driver must activate the visual signals when the school bus is stopped to let children off.
• The school bus driver must stop completely off the roadway and put on their hazards before unloading and loading children.

If you break any of these laws, you may be subjected to a hefty fine.

How Can I Recover Compensation After a Bus Accident?

No matter who is at-fault, the first step is filing a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company. The insurance company will do everything they can to prevent you from receiving a settlement you deserve. A Seattle personal injury lawyer can help you through the claims process and maximize your settlement offer.

If the insurance company does not settle, denies your claim, or settles for an amount that is less than your child’s medical bills a Seattle school bus accident attorney can help you file a personal injury or tort action against the at-fault person.

If the judge and jury rule in your favor, they will hand down a damage award that requires the at-fault party to pay you the damage amount determined by the court.

Contact a Seattle School Bus Accident Lawyer Today

We have decades of experience in accident litigation. We know the tactics insurance companies use to convince you to take a settlement amount that is lower than you deserve and we are skilled in combating their underhanded tactics. Call us today at (206) 489-5140 for a free case consultation. One of our knowledgeable bus crash attorneys is standing by to review your case and help you start the claims or civil suit process.