For parents, the iconic yellow school bus represents a sacred trust. We put our children on that bus every morning, believing it is the safest way for them to get to school. And statistically, it is. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirms that school buses are the most regulated vehicles on the road, designed to be safer than passenger cars.

But as the official NHTSA school bus safety data reveals, the greatest danger to children isn’t riding on the bus; it’s the area around it. The most tragic and preventable incidents happen when a child is getting on or off the bus, and a careless driver ignores the flashing red lights and extended stop arm.

When a driver violates this fundamental safety law, they put children in extreme peril. The resulting legal case is not just about a traffic violation; it’s about holding a negligent driver accountable for causing unimaginable harm to a family.

Understanding the Law and the Dangers

Every driver in California is legally required to stop for a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, regardless of which direction they are traveling. The only exception is on a divided highway with a physical median. A driver’s failure to stop is not a minor mistake; it is an act of extreme negligence.

The consequences of this negligence are devastating:

• Pedestrian Accidents Involving Children: A child, especially a young one, may not have the developmental ability to judge the speed of an approaching car. They are trusting the stop sign to protect them. A driver who illegally passes a stopped school bus can cause a catastrophic pedestrian accident.
• Collisions with the Bus Itself: A driver who is speeding or distracted may not see the stopped bus in time, leading to a violent rear-end collision. While students on the bus are protected by its design, they can still suffer serious injuries. These cases require an experienced bus accident attorney.
• Causing Other Drivers to Crash: A driver who illegally passes a bus can cause other responsible drivers to swerve or brake suddenly, leading to a multi-vehicle car accident.

Holding All Negligent Parties Accountable

In the tragic event that a child is injured or killed, the legal case demands a swift and thorough investigation. While the fault may seem to rest solely with the careless driver, other parties may also bear responsibility. Did the school district have unsafe bus stop placement? Was the bus driver properly trained?

A child’s injury or death is one of the most devastating events a family can endure. In these cases, we pursue every avenue of justice, including filing a wrongful death claim to provide for the family’s future and hold the negligent parties accountable for their reckless actions. A child’s life is precious, and a driver’s impatience is never an excuse.

If your child has been injured in any incident involving a school bus, you need a legal advocate who understands the specific laws and the immense emotional weight of these cases.

Contact Manoukian Law for a free and confidential consultation.