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Fort Myers School Bus Accident Lawyer Representing Kids Injured in Accidents in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Port Charlotte and Naples
You send your children to school every day believing they are in safe hands. Unfortunately, your children’s safety is constantly at risk by unqualified bus drivers and reckless motorists. If your child was hit by a bus or involved in a collision while on the bus, the negligent parties should be held accountable, and an experienced Fort Myers school bus accident lawyer can help.
Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. handles accident claims throughout Florida. We put your child’s interests first to ensure she or he receives the damages needed to recover from injuries and get back to a normal life.
Our founding partner, Randall L. Spivey, has devoted over two decades to representing injured clients and families in wrongful death lawsuits. He is a Florida Board Certified civil trial lawyer and a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Randall Spivey has also received the Preeminent Attorney Rating from Martindale Hubbell. To learn how we can protect your rights, call (888) 477-4839 today for a free consultation.
Common Types of School Bus Injuries
School buses are poorly designed vehicles, often with no seat belts and many blind spots. Top-heavy and awkward to drive, school buses require a heightened skill level to operate and greater attention by operators that is sometimes missing from overworked, minimally trained drivers. No surprise that a child may be injured in or around a school bus, such as in these common scenarios:
- The bus driver is involved in a collision with another vehicle
- The bus driver slams on the brakes causing children to fall
- The bus driver does not see a child crossing in front of the bus or leaning down to the side of the bus
- A child exiting the bus gets clothing caught in the bus door and is dragged as the bus pulls away
Duty of Motorists Around Children
Florida has special traffic codes governing the areas around schools, bus stops, buses and other areas where children congregate. The reason for this is clear: children are put at serious risk of injury when around vehicles. Because of this, drivers need to use extreme caution to protect children from accidents, including:
- Driving at the posted slower speed through designated school zones
- Refraining from texting and driving or general cell phone use, especially while passing through a school zone
- Not passing a stopped school bus that has activated its flashing lights and stop sign
- Obeying crossing guards directing children across the street
- Paying special attention during hours when children are out of school
A driver who fails to abide by these basic safety duties and hits a child is at fault for the accident and may be liable for punitive damages for gross negligence. Furthermore, the child is not considered responsible for her or his actions – even if the child darted out from behind a car or other obstruction – and so damages are not reduced for the child’s contribution to the accident or failure of the parents to supervise.
Liability for a School Bus Crash
If your child was hurt in a school bus accident, multiple individuals and entities may be liable for your child’s injuries, including:
- The school bus driver for reckless driving or traffic code violations
- The driver’s employer for failing to properly vet and train the driver
- Other motorists involved in the collision
Public schools have sovereign immunity, but they may still be held liable for certain acts of negligence. Alternatively, private schools may be liable for contracting with an unqualified bus company. We also pursue damages under your uninsured/ underinsured motorist claim.
Consult With a Fort Myers School Bus Accident Lawyer About Your Child’s Injuries
Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. represents children and their families injured in school bus accidents in Fort Myers and Cape Coral, all of Lee County, Charlotte County and Collier County, as well as Bonita Springs, Estero, Naples, Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda. Schedule your free consultation with our Fort Myers school bus accident lawyer to learn more about how we can help your child. Call (888) 477-4839 or contact us online.
More Helpful Information
5 Areas of Concern for National School Bus Safety Week
October 17-21, 2023 -School bus safety should be every driver’s priority. During National School Bus Safety Week, we urge drivers to review the information from NAPT and the FLHSMV that we are sharing in this blog.
2023 Florida Law Takes Aim at Bus Stop Scofflaws
Florida has enacted a new law aimed at protecting students when they are at their bus stops. School districts can help prevent school bus stop accidents.
Motorists are urged to obey Florida’s school bus laws to protect our children. Many drivers are passing school buses that are displaying stop signs and red flashing lights. These are accidents waiting to happen.
Are Children Safe on School Buses?
The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) announced National School Bus Safety Week is from October 18–22, 2021.
Sharing the Road with School Buses
School is open in Southwest Florida which means there is usually heavy congestion around our schools, particularly when dropping off or picking up students. Our Fort Myers accident lawyers believe it is also important to be cautious when sharing the roads with school buses.