Before you decide to sue for injuries you’ve suffered in a school bus accident, it’s important to consider if you have a case. Your attorney may ask you a few questions about the crash, and if you have data and witnesses to help build you case, you may find it’s legitimate and that you’re able to request compensation.
The first thing you’ll be asked is, “who was responsible for the accident?” Was the bus driver actually at fault for the accident, and can you show that he or she was negligent or distracted when it took place? If the driver wasn’t responsible, then it’s possible you’d need to file a claim against the driver who was.
Next, you’ll need to know if the driver was an agent of the school. Is the bus driver the person who should be held responsible for this accident? Does the school itself share or cover the driver’s liability? You may need to file claim you want to make against the school, not the driver, if the driver was employed by the school.
Finally, are you sure you’re following the right course to sue? There are usually a few steps you need to take before suing, like filing a tort claim and checking the statute of limitations. If you fail to follow the laws related to suing a school properly, you could lose your right to a case. For example, you shouldn’t wait too long after an accident to file your lawsuit, because a two-year statute of limitations could quickly come into effect, limiting your time to sue.
Source: FindLaw, “School Bus Crashes: 3 Questions Before You Sue,” accessed Sep. 24, 2015