If a school bus accident hurts your child, contact us. Our talented bus accident attorneys represent wounded parties and the parents of children injured in school bus accidents in Huntsville.
Your child may be entitled to compensation. If their injuries are permanent, they could claim funds for future medical care and lost earning opportunities. They may also receive money to acknowledge their pain and suffering.
Identifying Liable Parties in a School Bus Accident
Those at fault for a school bus accident are responsible for paying compensation to the injured individuals. Our attorneys in Huntsville will conduct a thorough investigation to identify all the parties whose actions contributed to causing the school bus accident.
School districts are usually liable for their employees’ conduct, so if an error by the school bus driver led to the wreck, the district is likely responsible. The district may also have liability if it failed to properly screen and train the driver or keep the bus in good repair.
Negligent drivers of other vehicles are another major cause of school bus accidents. Drivers who try to pass school buses, do not stop when the bus is stopped, or who are drunk or distracted may cause collisions.
How Do You Determine a Child’s Damages?
One of the challenges when parents bring a lawsuit on behalf of their injured child is determining the child’s damages. Because children are still growing and developing, it may be difficult for doctors to predict the long-term consequences of their injury.
Our Huntsville attorneys have access to highly credentialed experts from around the country who could review your child’s medical records and offer a reasoned opinion about what the long-term impacts of the school bus accident will be. They can assess the need for ongoing medical treatment and whether the injury will affect your child’s ability to earn a living.
Even when your child’s injury will heal completely, they deserve compensation. Children perceive the weeks or months of recovery differently from an adult. We could help you hold the party that caused the accident accountable for your child’s pain and suffering.
Parents’ Claims
If your child is injured, your family may have numerous expenses and financial losses. You could sue the responsible party to recover your child’s medical expenses, transportation to appointments, and time taken off work to care for them during their recovery. You may also claim damages for the emotional distress your child’s injury caused you.
Procedures for Handling Children’s Money
Any verdict or settlement of a claim made on behalf of a child belongs to them. When you contact us about a school bus collision case, our Huntsville attorneys will explain the legal procedures that safeguard these funds.
Most injury cases result in a settlement. According to Alabama Rule of Civil Procedure 17(c), a court must approve any settlement on behalf of a child to ensure that it adequately compensates their injuries. For larger settlements, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem to review medical records, meet the child, and offer an opinion about whether the settlement serves the child’s best interest.
Any money from a verdict or an approved settlement is placed in a court-supervised, interest-bearing account. The child will have access to the funds when they turn 18. Parents may access the funds to meet the child’s extraordinary expenses, but they must seek court approval for any withdrawal.
Contact Our Attorneys If Your Child Was Hurt in a Huntsville School Bus Crash
School bus accidents in Huntsville can be devastating. Our attorneys offer compassionate, effective representation to parents of children injured in these incidents. Contact us today to hold the responsible parties accountable and seek fair compensation and justice on behalf of your child.
