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Steven G. Lavely Steven G. Lavely
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Elementary School Bus Accident Results in Serious Injuries

SchoolBus2

For parents throughout Bradenton, the news of a recent car accident involving an elementary school bus raises concerns about child safety. While experts claim that riding the bus is one of the safest forms of transportation, the fact is that crashes and collisions can occur. To protect your child, it is important to speak with them about safety tips they need to follow, both on the bus and when waiting at bus stops.

Swerving Motorist Responsible for School Bus Accident

According to the Bradenton Herald, a motorist who was reportedly swerving in and out of their lane is responsible for a school bus accident in our area that left at least two people suffering potentially serious injuries. The crash occurred on Monday, January 14, 2019, near the corner of 14th Street West at 66th Avenue West as a Manatee County School bus driver was taking three  students to school.

The crash was allegedly caused by a 76-year-old Lakewood Ranch man,  headed northbound on U.S. 41 in a 2015 Hyundai Tucson. Witnesses at the scene claim the driver kept swerving into the left lane, where he eventually encountered the school bus. The bus driver, a 38-year-old Bradenton man, was stopped in the center of a continuous left turn lane when the Tucson struck the bus on the left hand side.

The at fault driver is reported to have suffered serious injuries as the result of the crash. A 46-year-old passenger on the bus was also injured. There is no word yet regarding whether the three children on the bus, a 12, 9, and 5-year-old, were hurt in the accident.

Protecting Your Children In The Event of Accidents

While parents in our area might be more inclined to drive their children to and from school in the aftermath of the recent accident, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) insists that the risks are minimal. They claim that students are 70 times more likely to suffer injuries in a car accident while being in their parent’s vehicle than they are in being involved in this type of crash.

However, that does not mean there are not some serious risks when riding a school bus. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), more than 80 fatal school bus crashes occurred throughout the country over the course of 2017, five of which happened in Florida. To protect your children, it is important for them to follow some simple safety tips, both at the bus stop and on board:

  • Always wait far from the curb when a school bus is approaching.
  • Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before attempting to enter or exit the vehicle.
  • Stay seated and facing forward throughout the trip.
  • Avoid screaming, playing music, or making other loud noises, which could distract the driver.

Reach Out to Us Today for Help 

When crashes and collision impact you and your loved ones, the Law Office of Steven G. Lavely, is here to help. To discuss your case, contact our Bradenton car accident attorney and request a consultation today.

Resources:

bradenton.com/news/local/article224502605.html

injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/school-bus/

nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety

https://www.lavelylaw.com/truck-breakdown-triggers-multi-vehicle-car-accident/

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