An 18-month-old from Tyler, TX was killed in a recent Texas school bus accident. The fatal car accident occurred when witnesses say the little girl got out of the gate in her front yard and walked out in front of the school bus while it was unloading passengers.
Bystanders began banging on the side of the bus in an attempt to warn the driver of the toddler, but officials say the driver didn’t hear the warnings and pulled forward, hitting the girl and killing her. Officials say the incident is still under investigation, and they are waiting until they have compiled all of the information before filing any charges.
Texas school buses can be dangerous for passengers because they rarely have seat belts or any other safety device found in passenger vehicles. During a collision, bags, books and even children are tossed around. The size and weight of school buses makes them particularly dangerous to occupants of other vehicles.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1,386 people were killed in school transportation-related crashes between 2000 and 2009. And 72 percent of the people who were killed in those crashes were occupants of other vehicles. For example, in 2009 fatalities suffered in school bus-related accidents included:
- Two school transport drivers
- Three school transportation passengers
- 21 pedestrians
- 91 occupants of other vehicles
Fatal Texas accidents involving school buses can result in complicated liability claims because the insurance companies for the driver, the bus company and even the school district may get involved. Our skilled Dallas bus accident lawyers at Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP can help you understand your legal rights and options in such cases. Contact us today and set-up your free consultation.
