Many of us send our kids to school on the school bus every day and rely on these buses to transport our children safely to school and back. Unfortunately, sometimes a bus driver can exercise all of the due diligence and care in the world and external factors can still result in an accident. When the negligence of other drivers results in an injury, those who are responsible must be held accountable for their actions.
According to a recent local news report, a school bus accident left nine people injured, eight of which were children. Local authorities reported that 18 children were on the school bus when a white pick-up truck rear-ended the school bus. Eight children who were on the bus were sent to the hospital with minor injuries, as well as the passenger of the pick-up truck that rear-ended the bus. Police reported that the school bus was attempting to make a stop to pick up a child when it was hit by the truck. The accident remains under investigation.
In Maine, like in many other states, drivers could be ticketed if they do not stop when a school bus puts its stop sign and yellow flashing lights out. Among school bus drivers, other drivers remain their number one concern when it comes to ensuring the safety of the children they transport. Some drivers simply fail to stop and break the law, often because they are distracted while driving. When this takes place, bus drivers are encouraged to provide radio dispatch with a description of the vehicle and driver, the plate number, and the street and time that the incident happened, so that law enforcement can locate and ticket the driver. According to some school bus operators, there is sometimes as frequent as one violation per day in Maine.
In addition, breaking the Maine school bus law and then causing injury through a subsequent accident could likely establish that the at-fault driver was negligent. In this instance, parents may have grounds to bring a personal injury lawsuit on their child’s behalf. Should you decide to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party, it is crucial that you do so within six years of the accident taking place. If the claim is filed after six years have passed, it is unlikely that the court will hear your case. Maine, like other states, has a strict statute of limitations that requires you to get your case filed within this deadline. Fortunately, Maine has one of the longest statutes of limitations available, which is beneficial for plaintiffs.
Do You Need a Maine Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you or someone you know was recently injured in a Maine car accident, contact the attorneys at Peter Thompson & Associates for assistance. Our lawyers have years of experience representing clients in all types of personal injury claims ranging from car and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice. Because of our team’s significant experience, we will fight to get you the compensation that you deserve. To schedule a free consultation today, contact us at 1-800-804-2004.