A school bus accident is a scary and traumatic event that can cause serious, catastrophic injuries and, in the most severe cases, wrongful death. If your child was injured in a school bus accident, you likely have questions and may not know where to turn.

The school bus accident lawyers at Muth Law, P.C., have extensive experience representing people injured in motor vehicle accidents in and around Ann Arbor and throughout Michigan. Our firm has been serving the Ann Arbor community since 1987, is an industry leader in Michigan personal injury law, and has a demonstrated record of success.

We understand Michigan personal injury law inside and out, and we know what it takes to get results. To put our expertise to work for you, contact Muth Law today. Your consultation is free, and we handle personal injury claims on a contingency fee, which means you don’t owe us a fee unless we recover money for you.

Essential Steps for Parents After a School Bus Accident

Learning your child was involved in a school bus accident is scary, and you may feel overwhelmed, especially because you were not at the scene of the accident.

1. Do your best to stay calm and gather as much information as possible from the person who notified you.
2. Once you have the details of the crash, ensure your child and others are being cared for. If you were not told someone has notified emergency services, call 9-1-1 to report the accident.
3. Contact the school to request information about the drivers involved, including their name(s) and license and insurance information.
4. If possible, ask someone on scene to take photographs of the accident, including damage to the vehicles and the accident scene itself.
5. Ensure your child receives medical attention as soon as possible. Even if injuries are not immediately apparent, you should have your child examined by a doctor to check for hard-to-identify injuries like whiplash or internal bleeding.
6. Contact your insurance carrier to report the crash and start the claims process.
7. Keep detailed records of all communications and other documentation related to the accident.
8. Contact our law firm to discuss your options and protect your legal rights.

Understanding Michigan Bus Accident Laws

Bus accidents involve different rules and regulations than other motor vehicle accidents. Most school buses are owned and operated by government entities, which means the laws that govern bus accidents can be particularly complex. In addition, legal claims for injuries caused by a school bus accident often involve multiple parties.

To succeed in your claim for damages, you need to work with an experienced attorney who understands the unique laws that apply to Michigan school bus accident claims and knows how to navigate them to obtain the results you and your family need.

Seeking Compensation for Injuries Suffered in a School Bus Accident in Michigan

If your child was injured in a school bus accident, there are two ways to seek the compensation you deserve.

No-Fault Benefits in a Michigan Bus Accident Claim

Your first avenue of financial recovery is by seeking No-Fault PIP benefits through your own automobile insurance company. Your No-Fault PIP benefits will compensate you for household replacement services and attendant care benefits, and reimburse you for mileage and transportation costs associated with traveling to and from medical appointments.

You should also apply for No-Fault Benefits with the car insurance company that insured the car responsible for causing the crash. In most cases, you must apply for No-Fault benefits within one year from the date of the accident; however, if the injured person was under 18, you have one year from the injured person’s 18th birthday. Nonetheless, we recommend filing an application for No-Fault Benefits as quickly as possible after a bus accident.

Damages for Pain and Suffering

You can also file a claim against the at-fault driver or the owner of the vehicle being driven by the at-fault driver to seek compensation for pain and suffering.

If the bus driver caused the accident, you can file a claim for pain and suffering against the school district as the owner of the bus under the governmental employee exception or the motor vehicle exception to governmental immunity. You can also file a claim against the bus driver individually.

To recover damages for pain and suffering, you will need to show your child suffered a “serious impairment of body function” or permanent, severe disfigurement.

How Muth Law Can Help

If your child was hurt in a school bus accident, having experienced legal representation is crucial. For more than 40 years, Muth Law has represented people who were injured and the families of people who were killed because someone else was negligent.

Our lawyers have tried hundreds of cases throughout Michigan and have been recognized for our outstanding work in personal injury litigation. We understand Michigan personal injury law inside and out and use our expertise to help people and families whose lives were affected by serious accidents.

Contact Muth Law Today

Contact Muth Law today to speak to an experienced school bus accident injury attorney. Call us at 734-481-8800 or contact us online to schedule an appointment to discuss your situation.