August and September are synonymous with back to school, and that means hundreds of Maryland kids will be getting on school buses to get to school and back home. Now is the perfect time to give your children a quick refresher on school bus safety and how they can make sure everyone stays safe.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4-6 children die each year in school bus accidents. Others who escape death are frequently injured. A Maryland School Bus Accident Lawyer will tell you that while that number may seem extremely low, consider this: there are too many parents who have lost a child while using a school bus and many children who no longer have the love and companionship of their siblings.
How School Bus Safety Starts
The Personal Injury Lawyers at The Lapidus Law Firm say school bus safety begins long before a child gets on the bus.
Crossing the street should be done with caution. Kids should never cross behind a school bus as crossing in front is the best bet. And when they are crossing in front of the bus, children need to make sure the bus driver sees them. Crossing about 10 feet in front of the bus will allow the child to make direct eye contact with the bus driver to ensure the driver knows the child is preparing to cross.
Adults must tell their kids to wait until the bus comes to a full stop and wait until the driver opens the door before approaching the bus. Once on the bus, children — especially the young ones — should use the handrails to assist in climbing up and passing down the bus steps. It is also crucial to get on the school bus efficiently and without distraction. This means no cell phones or video game boxes while getting on and off the bus!
Drivers of other vehicles on the road near the school also bear responsibility when it comes to school bus safety. Drivers of other vehicles often ignore stop signs on the bus and flashing lights on school buses. The signs and lights mean a child is either entering or exiting the bus and traffic needs to stop in all directions so the child(ren) can safely exit the bus and cross the road.
Maryland Public School Bus Accident Lawyers
If your child has been involved in a school bus accident, know that you have rights on behalf of your children which can be enforced through the courts. The Maryland Public School Bus Accident Lawyers at The Lapidus Law Firm will work diligently and tirelessly to make sure you get the fair and reasonable compensation if your child is injured in a bus collision with another vehicle.
Any car collision and crash is stressful, but when you have an accident that involves a child, the stress can be unimaginable. Call the Maryland School Bus Accident Lawyers The Lapidus Law Firm today for a free consultation at (301) 605-4296. We can help!