The last thing any parent wants after dropping their child off to catch the school bus is to receive a phone call that they were involved in an accident. We place so much trust in strangers to keep our children safe while they are transported to and from school. Although everything works out most of the time, some school bus drivers are careless, and the children end up suffering the consequences.
School bus accidents do not only affect the students they are transporting; other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians may also suffer injuries in a school bus crash. If you, your child, or another person you care about has been hurt or killed in a Portland school bus accident, schedule a free review of your unique case with a Rizk Law personal injury lawyer today.
Common Causes of School Bus Accidents in Portland, Oregon
Portland school bus drivers must be appropriately trained to make prudent travel decisions while driving and handle their vehicles in a safe manner. When school bus drivers fail to abide by bus operation safety protocols or traffic laws, they put the vulnerable children under their care and the people who share the road with them at risk, especially since the lack of on-board safety features, such as seatbelts, can lead to severe injuries or fatalities in the event of an accident.
Some of the most common reasons school bus accidents occur include the following:
- Aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Drowsy driving
- Failure to adjust driving for weather conditions
- Failure to yield
- Faulty brakes
- Overloaded buses
- Poor driver training
- Speeding
Many Portland school bus accidents are the result of driver error, but other factors can also play a significant role in these tragic accidents, including:
- Failure to adequately maintain buses by school districts
- Negligent hiring of bus drivers by school districts
- School buses with defective parts
- Negligent operation of a vehicle by another driver involved
The process of recovering compensation after a Portland school bus crash can be challenging, but it is a challenge that the Rizk Law personal injury team is prepared to complete. Our experienced Portland bus accident lawyers work diligently to get injured victims and their families the settlements they deserve.
Filing a Claim for Injuries Suffered in a Portland School Bus Crash
In many cases, victims struck by school buses and passengers injured while on board school buses in Portland are entitled to financial compensation. Oregon state law permits victims injured in accidents caused by negligence the right to seek a monetary award for the damages they have accumulated because of the accident.
School buses in Oregon are typically owned and operated by the government. Claims against Oregon municipalities are often subject to harsher standards, including shorter time limits, which could cause complications for lawyers who are not familiar with the intricacies of these types of claims processes.
Rizk Law school bus accident attorneys have successfully handled various types of accident cases against both private third parties and the government. Our team has a positive track record for recovering total compensation for our clients in Portland.
Contact an Experienced School Bus Accident Attorney in Portland, Oregon Today
If you, your child, or someone you love was hurt or fatally injured in a Portland school bus crash, partner with a Rizk Law personal injury attorney for the legal representation you need. The qualified attorneys on the Rizk Law team are prepared to negotiate to recover the settlement you deserve for the damages you or your loved one have suffered. We do not rest until our clients get the justice that they deserve.
To take advantage of your free consultation with our legal team, call us at (503) 342-0783 or submit a completed contact form for more information about how we can help.