If your child was injured in a school bus accident, you should first get them checked out medically.
Keep in mind that you could be asked to make important decisions after the bus accident, before you have all the facts. Unfortunately, rushed decisions that aren’t legally informed can create issues down the road when you try to file a claim for your child’s injuries.
This page explains what to do if your child was injured in a school bus accident, with practical guidance that can help protect your child’s well-being and preserve important information. If you have further questions, consider speaking with a Charlotte bus accident lawyer about your child’s case.
Steps to Take if Your Child Was Injured in a School Bus Accident
What you do after your child is injured in a school bus accident can affect their recovery and what options may be available later if you decide to file a claim. The steps and guidance below can help you make more informed decisions.
1. Get Medical Care and Watch for Delayed Symptoms
Injuries from school bus accidents can be serious. Your child should be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible, even if the injuries appear minor at first. Certain injuries, particularly head, neck, and soft-tissue injuries, often have delayed symptoms, and waiting to treat these conditions can make them worse.
Monitor your child for issues such as:
- Headaches, dizziness, nausea, or sensitivity to light
- Neck or back pain
- Changes in sleep, mood, or behavior
- Difficulty concentrating or keeping up at school
If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately. You should also keep copies of all discharge paperwork, treatment instructions, diagnostic imaging, and any other injury-related medical documents, such as receipts or bills.
If follow-up care is recommended, make sure you attend every appointment. Gaps in treatment can raise questions later about the severity or cause of an injury, which can lead to denied claims or lower settlement amounts.
Step 2: Report the Crash and Request Documentation
If the accident has not yet been reported to the school and the police, do so immediately. Otherwise, ask the school or district to share what they have from any official reports that were made. You can also request crash report information from law enforcement.
At a minimum, you should keep track of:
- When and where the crash happened
- Which bus and route were involved
- Who was driving, and which department or company operated the bus
- The police report number and responding agency
- Any written summary or notice provided by the school
If you end up discussing the accident by phone, make a note of who you spoke with and what was said. Even brief notes can be useful if questions come up later about how the incident was handled.
Step 3: Collect Evidence As Soon As Possible
When your child gets hurt in a school bus accident, the sooner you start gathering evidence, the better. School bus cases can move quickly, and important evidence is not always preserved unless someone asks for it.
If you can, gather:
- Photos of your child’s injuries and any damaged items (backpack, clothing, glasses)
- Names and phone numbers for witnesses, including other parents
- Any emails, texts, or letters from the school, district, or bus company
You can also ask your child what they remember. Keep it simple and let them use their own words. Where they were sitting and what happened right before the crash can be important details for the claim.
Step 4: Be Careful With Insurance
You might receive calls from an insurance adjuster shortly after the accident. If this happens, you can share basic facts, but be cautious about making recorded statements or signing paperwork immediately. The insurance company could try to use your words against you to reduce or deny a settlement offer.
Before you agree to anything, make sure you understand:
- Your child’s diagnosis and treatment plan
- The total cost of care so far
- What follow-up care may be needed
- How the injury is affecting school and daily life for your child
Insurance companies are notorious for making quick offers before the full impact of an injury is clear. Once a settlement is signed, it can be hard or impossible to seek additional compensation later.
Who Can I Hold Liable When My Child is Injured in a School Bus Accident?
North Carolina has strict contributory negligence rules under G.S. 1-139. That said, responsibility depends on the cause of the crash, and more than one party could be responsible. Depending on the situation, at-fault parties could include:
- Another driver
- The bus driver
- A private bus company or transportation contractor
- A maintenance provider, if a mechanical issue played a role in the accident
When a school district or other government entity is involved, different rules and deadlines may apply. That is one reason it can help to get legal guidance early.
What Damages Can a Claim Cover for My Injured Child?
A claim should account for the ways an injury affects your child and your family physically, financially, and mentally. Depending on the situation, compensation can cover:
- Medical care and future treatment needs
- Therapy or rehabilitation
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to care
- Pain and suffering, including any limitations your child faces in performing normal activities
If your child is missing school or struggling with daily activities, keep simple notes that document how the injury has affected them over time. This is another important thing to do when your child is injured in a school bus accident, as it can help you recover a settlement that more accurately addresses the extent of your child’s suffering.
In the most serious cases, when a school bus accident results in the loss of a child, a wrongful death claim may be available to address funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages allowed under North Carolina law.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today.
Not Sure What to Do After Your Child is Injured in a School Bus Accident? We Can Help.
When your child is injured in a bus accident, it is important to have steady, empathetic guidance.
At CR Legal Team, our Brand Promise is simple: We Stand Up For You®. Our Team takes the time to understand and investigate what happened while handling insurance communications, so you are not forced into making rushed decisions. We are on your side throughout the legal process.
With over 36 years in business and more than 200,000 clients served, we bring both experience and care to every case. If you have questions about your child’s injury, we can help you understand your options and decide what comes next. Call today for a free consultation.
