The Tragedies That Can Occur While a Student is Walking to the Bus Stop

Transporting students to and from school safely on school buses is obviously an important priority for everyone from school transportation directors to school bus drivers to parents. After all, statistics suggest that well over half of the millions of students enrolled in public K-12 schools are bused to school.

Before students can be transported, they first have to walk to their respective bus stops, something that can be an important right of passage for school-aged children. Many students around the country walk to a common school bus pickup location every weekday morning, whether by themselves or along with a group of students.  But unfortunately, this walk can carry significant risk before a student ever makes it to his or her designated bus stop.

What School Bus Stop Tragedy Was Recently Spotlighted in the News?

The South Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that a 15-year-old girl has died in a bus stop accident tragedy. The teenager was struck by a Palm Beach County school bus while walking to her school bus stop on the other side of a busy intersection. She reportedly became stuck under the bus and was dragged a short way before taken to a local hospital where, sadly, she was pronounced dead. The accident occurred just down the street from the apartment the young victim shared with her parents and young siblings. She would have celebrated her Sweet 16 just six days after the fatal accident on Christmas Eve.

According to a crash report from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the school bus driver was stopped at a red light at the intersection and was making a turn when the teen crossed in front in his path. An eyewitness who was walking his dog at the intersection has publicly asserted that he and others screamed to alert the young victim to the bus, but unfortunately, these warnings came too late.

Safety Tips For Walking to the Bus Stop

Like any other form of vehicular transportation, accidents involving school buses are inevitable in certain circumstances. However, as parents and caregivers, there are certain steps we can undertake to help ensure the safety of our young loved ones as they walk to and from the bus stop. These steps include:

• Make sure your kids leave with enough time to not be in a rush
• Always have at least one adult present at the bus stop to supervise
• Advise the kids not to play in the street while waiting for the school bus
• Tell your kids not to go back for items they accidentally drop near a bus
• Encourage your children to listen to any instructions given by the driver and never cross the street unless they see the sign to do so

Has Your Child Been Injured While Walking to the Bus Stop?

Accidents that occur between a student’s house and the bus stop are extremely dangerous and can lead to especially tragic results. As the West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm, we have helped many people who have been injured because of someone else’s negligence and we are here to help you successfully pursue your claim. Contact us for help today.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Tampa, Bradenton, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Ocala, Fort Myers, Jacksonville and Daytona Beach areas.

Resource:

saferoutespartnership.org/sites/default/files/pdf/school_bus_cuts_national_stats_FINAL.pdf

sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-ne-school-bus-fatal-20191218-n44ydz5cujgcrpiauwdxxsnj54-story.html

https://www.pendaslaw.com/special-considerations-for-liability-in-multi-vehicle-car-crashes/