Over 480,000 school buses transport 25 million children every day. This number accounts for more than half the schoolchildren in the United States and can be worrying given the rate of accidents in the country. Thankfully, school bus accidents are somewhat rare compared to other auto collisions. They also do not usually result in severe injuries when they happen.
School bus accident statistics show that school buses are a generally safe mode of transport for children. However, this doesn’t erase the fact that accidents do happen and can cause injury or death.
Has your child sustained an injury in a school bus accident? A Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney at El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers can help you seek compensation for your losses.
School Bus Safety
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), schoolchildren are 70 times more safe traveling to school on a school bus than a car. This can be attributed to the fact that school buses are designed for safety. They are the most regulated vehicles, with every state having laws to protect school kids from other road users.
The school bus design also makes it generally safer than other passenger cars. It includes stop-sign arms, flashing red lights, cross-view mirrors, and a highly visible body. In certain states, school buses are also equipped with protective seating and restraints.
Accident Statistics in the United States
School bus accidents are rare, but they happen. According to NHTSA reports, 1,214 people died in school transportation-related accidents from 2004 to 2013. An estimated 75% of these deaths were people not present on the school bus during the accident. Of the 327 children that died:
- 147 were passengers of other vehicles
- 116 were pedestrians
- 54 were school bus passengers
- 9 were cyclists
- 1 was unclassified
Of the 106 people who lost their lives while in school bus accidents during this period, 45 were drivers. On average, these numbers translate to about six fatalities every year, making school buses an extremely safe mode of transport.
Other School Bus Accident Statistics
An estimated 50% of all school bus accidents are rear-ended collisions. Other common types of bus accidents include side impacts and non-collisions. Generally, accidents usually involve cars, other buses, trucks, cyclists, and pedestrians.
School bus accident statistics also show that a majority of child fatalities fall between the ages of 5 and 13. Most of these deaths were recorded between 3-4 p.m.
Common Causes of School Bus Accidents
As with other auto accidents, school bus accidents can occur in any number of ways. Common causes of bus-related accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Overloading
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Inadequate training or inexperience
- Bad weather conditions
- Intoxicated driving
- Aggressive driving
- Mechanical defects in the bus
- Failure to yield
- Drowsy driving
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Although school bus accident statistics prove the rarity of school bus accidents, these collisions remain a threat. A poorly maintained bus or negligent bus driver can lead to the injury or death of schoolchildren. This is why parents should be prepared to deal with such a situation.
If your child gets injured in a school bus accident, you could be eligible for compensation for their injuries. Contact El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers to discuss your rights and obligations with an expert Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney.