Safety Rules for School Bus Passengers

How to Be a Safe and Responsible School Bus Passenger in 2022

School bus safety tips allow children to have an idea of what actions to take in order to enter and exit out of a school bus without facing any potential danger. Providing children with these helpful pieces of information will also reduce the chances of a tragic situation from occurring. 

Below, we have created, what we believe to be, essential safety tips a child should consider following to ensure that they are safe and sound while taking a trip to school or heading back home. 

If your child was a victim of a school bus accident, you may be qualified to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party at-fault for your losses. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our expert bus accident attorneys are available 24/7 to offer legal assistance to victims of personal injury. We will help strengthen your claim and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you get the maximum compensation you deserve.

To schedule a free consultation, please contact our 24/7 legal team by calling 213-927-3700 or filling out our quick contact form.

School Bus Safety Tips for Passengers in 2022

Before

• Try to arrive 5 minutes early to the bus stop. Chasing or running after the bus will increase the likelihood of sustaining an injury.
• Stay 6 feet away from the curb when you see the bus arriving. 
• Do not walk right behind the bus. It is important for the bus driver to see where you are to make sure that they are navigating the bus without causing any harm or injury. 
• Remain patient when the bus makes a stop. Do not walk in until the door fully opens and the bus driver says that it is safe for you to get on board. 
• Hold on to the handrails to avoid falling.

During 

• Remain in your seat. 
• If there are seat belts available, use them. 
• Do not speak out loud or yell. It will distract the bus driver.
• Do not leave your head, hands, or arms out of the window. 
• Do not leave your personal belongings in the middle of the aisle. 
• Make sure that you have all of your personal belongings with you before the bus stops at the final destination.
• Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before you get up from your seat. 

After 

• Hold on to the handrails when exiting out of the bus. 
• Make sure your backpack or clothes do not get caught on the handrails. 
• Avoid going near the bus’s rear wheels. 
• If you dropped one of your personal belongings near the bus, notify the bus driver about it before picking it up. They need to see that you are still near the bus. 
• If you need to cross the street, walk in front of the bus and head 10 feet away from it.
• Look to your left and right. If the road is clear, proceed with crossing.
• If you do not have a good view of an oncoming car, move your location to a different area. 
• Make sure that the driver can see you as you are about to cross the street.
• Avoid crossing the centerline of the street until the bus driver tells you it is okay to do so.

Available Damages

If you were injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Damages are a type of monetary award that is determined by a court of law to help compensate an aggrieved individual for any losses or injuries sustained as a result of someone’s negligence. 

Economic damages are intended to compensate a plaintiff for losses that a dollar amount can readily be attached to. It is calculated by determining the amount of out-of-pocket losses an aggrieved individual has or will expect to incur as a result of their injuries. A few examples of economic losses include:

• Loss of Earning Capacity
• Medical Bills
• Lost Wages

Non-economic damages are essentially intended to cover losses that are thought of as subjective and will not necessarily cover out-of-pocket losses. This may include compensation for:

• Emotional Distress
• Pain and Suffering
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life

The third type of damages a California court may award are known as punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended as punishment and are only awarded when a defendant’s behavior is especially harmful. It is relatively rare and, in fact, was only incorporated in 5 percent of all verdicts.

Furthermore, there is no real set standard for calculating and awarding punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded at the court’s discretion and will vary depending on the specific circumstances of a case.

Limitations for Damages in California 

For the most part, there is no real cap on compensatory damages following a personal injury claim. This means that courts are able to award any amount they feel is appropriate and reasonable.

However, the only exception is regarding medical malpractice cases. In these cases, the limit for pain and suffering and other non-economic losses is $250,000.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you or a loved one were a victim of a bus accident, our expert team of bus accident attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers will help you recover compensation for damages you have suffered. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. 

Contact us today by calling 213-927-3700 or filling out our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our knowledgeable, caring, and compassionate legal team.