School bus drivers are tasked with carrying the most precious cargo in the world, and while the statistics show that riding in a school bus is much safer for children than riding in the car with their parents to school, accidents can still occur. If you believe that your child was injured due in part to the actions or negligence of the school bus driver, you have the right to pursue compensation. We explore your legal options in today’s blog.
After A School Bus Accident
If your child’s school bus was involved in an accident and you believe your child may have suffered injuries, the first thing you should do is get them evaluated by your physician. They will be able to document any injuries and help form the beginning of a compensation claim. From there, you’ll want to pick up the phone and call a personal injury firm like Margolis Law Firm.
Our case begins by reviewing all the evidence that could go into strengthening your claim. Some aspects of the incident we will review and use during the claims process include:
- Eyewitness testimony
- Police reports
- Surveillance recordings
- Toxicology reports
- Crash scene photos
- Company training protocols
- Medical findings
After we review all these factors, we then must consider what type of damages to pursue. The most obvious damages you can pursue are for any medical bills and related costs associated with the accident. However, there are other compensation options to consider. For example, if you have to take some time off of work in order to care for your child, you can also factor lost wages into the claim demand. Similarly, if you have to make home modifications in order to help your child around the house, those additions can be added to your award amount.
Minnesota also allows parents to pursue compensation for non-economic damages. If your child is experiencing mental anguish, pain and suffering or a decrease in quality of life as a result of the accident, you can seek compensation. Finally, if the toxicology reports show that the driver was under the influence, or they exhibited clear and reckless disregard for your child’s safety prior to the accident, the court may also elect to award you punitive damages alongside your compensatory award.
Your child’s health is the main priority after an accident but you also need to consider moving forward with a suit when the accident details are still fresh and evidence is clear and concise. You may have up to six years to officially file a claim if you’re suing a private transportation company, but that deadline to submit a notice of a claim drops to only six months if you’re suing a government agency, so don’t delay. We’ll do all the heavy lifting and allow you to focus on what matters most – your child and their health.
For more information about pursuing a school bus related injury claim in Minnesota, reach out to Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm today.
