Ensuring Your Children Are Safe on North Dakota School Buses

In September, schools in North Dakota opened up once again for in-person learning. That meant that thousands of children once again hopped on school buses to get to classes. These buses are significantly safer than walking or riding a bicycle to school. In the case of a traffic accident, a bus is safer than riding in a passenger vehicle.

However, while seemingly safer vehicles, this does not mean that accidents and injuries do not occur. According to data from the National Safety Council (NSC) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 13,000 injuries resulting from school bus accidents, with 5,000 of those being sustained by school bus passengers for the latest reporting year. There are a number of ways that bus accidents can happen from driver distraction, road conditions, and even driver fatigue. A Minot bus accident attorney will work to investigate the bus accident and build a case to secure compensation on your behalf.

What are common causes of school bus accidents in North Dakota?

As with most vehicle accidents, the leading cause of school bus accidents is negligence – either by the bus driver or by those with whom they share the road. Some of the most common causes of bus accidents include:

• Impaired driving. Driving under the influence of alcohol causes a crash every 12 hours. In bus accidents, the bus driver or another driver may be driving while impaired which can lead to an accident. These types of accidents are preventable since the driver is making the choice to get behind the wheel while impaired.
• Distracted driving. This is when a driver takes their hands, eyes, or attention away from the road. This can often be caused by texting and driving and is even more dangerous than driving while impaired. If your children notice that their bus driver is driving while distracted, they should inform you so you can report this to the school and bus company.
• Speeding. Speeding is reckless and endangers the lives of those inside the vehicle, as well as innocent bystanders who are following the rules of the road. A Minot bus accident attorney will work to prove that speed was the main cause of the accident and therefore also prove that the driver acted negligently, putting children at risk.

Other causes of bus crashes include:

• Unintended lane departures/ unsignaled merging
• Failure to yield to the bus
• Bad weather

This is not an exhaustive list but are examples of the most common causes of bus accidents according to the North Dakota Department of Transportation.

Can a bus company be liable for a crash?

Yes, it can. Not all accidents are caused by school bus drivers, but even when they are, the bus company can be named as a negligent party. If the owner/operator failed to properly vet and/or train a school bus driver, he or she can be named as a liable party. If the company demanded unsafe practices from their drivers, it can be held liable.

Bus companies are also responsible for maintaining their vehicles. When a bus is not properly maintained it can lead to mechanical errors and accidents. During a maintenance inspection the following items should be checked:

• Lights
• Brakes
• Tires
• Suspension
• Steering mechanisms
• Safety equipment
• Warning signals

If these items are checked and a defective or damaged part is found, the bus company will need to take action fix the problem. Failure to do so make the company liable.

What injuries caused by school bus accidents?

Buses are large vehicles, and as such pose a significant risk to those around them. Because of the way school bus seats are designed, the children who are seated and riding on the bus are actually safer in the event of a crash. (Rollovers/tip-overs pose the exception here, but they are, thankfully, rare.) It is essential that the bus driver and your children stay aware of their surroundings, as children outside the bus are at greatest risk of injury in a collision. Those injuries may include:

• Sprained and torn ligaments
• Whiplash
• Internal bleeding
• Severe burns
• Crushing injuries
• Severed limbs
• Spinal cord injuries
• Herniated disc
• Brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Paralysis

The most dangerous place to be is within 10 feet in any direction of a school bus. These are the “danger zones,” because the blind spots for school buses are large. A student passing a bus cannot be seen by the driver if he or she is within this danger zone, which increases the risk of a child being hit by the driver. The same is true for vehicles; there is an increased chance of a collision when you attempt to pass a bus, tailgate a bus, or cut in front of a bus.

School bus safety tips

In North Dakota, there is no mandated bus evacuation drill in place to teach students how to stay safe. However, here are some tips for bus evacuation that schools should follow:

• All children should have access to evacuation drills
• Children should be educated on passenger safety and emergency evacuation procedures
• Drills should be held in off-street areas and not on bus routes
• Drills should be held more often in the spring and fall months
• The rear exit should be the emphasis during drills
• Students should be provided with education on the location and operation of all emergency exits
• Prior to school trip departures, students will need to be educated and informed of all emergency exits.

If your child was injured in a Minot school bus accident, you will need to contact a Minot bus accident attorney immediately. Call the Larson Law Firm P.C. at 701-484-HURT, or complete our contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our team. We serve clients in and around Minot, Fargo, and Bismarck.