A car accident in any capacity can be devastating for all parties involved and their loved ones. But what makes this even more devastating is if children are involved. And the only way to rectify this situation may be through a personal injury claim. Follow along to find out how to document a school bus accident and how a proficient Tampa bus accident lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. can help you with your claim.
Who is liable for a school bus accident?
Understandably so, you may want to seek justice for your child who has been made a victim of a school bus accident. But before you even start with the paperwork for your personal injury claim, you must correctly identify the at-fault party of the accident. There are several potential parties to blame, and they are as follows:
- The driver of the school bus.
- The school board district.
- The owner of the school bus company.
- The manufacturer of the school bus products.
- Another standard motor vehicle driver on the Florida road.
- An external factor (i.e., inclement weather, faulty traffic lights, dangerous road conditions, etc.) that was beyond any party’s control.
How do I document this accident?
Once you can assign fault for your child’s school bus accident, you may go forward with collecting documentation for your claim. This is because you will be serving as your child’s representative, so you will have to carry the burden of proof on their behalf.
Though it may be difficult to do when you were not present when the accident played out, it is nonetheless doable. The steps you should take are as follows:
- Head to the scene as soon as you get word that an accident occurred.
- If nobody has done so yet, contact law enforcement so that an official accident report can be recorded.
- Take photos and videos of your child’s injuries, so that their damages can be recorded.
- Ask witnesses that were present at the time of the accident for their contact information, so that testimonies can be provided later on.
- Send your child to the ambulance at the scene and take them to follow-up appointments with their physician, so that the severity of their injuries can be recorded.
- Save your child’s medical bills, so that the cost of their injuries can be recorded.
And lastly, since you may not have been present at the time of the accident, it may be beneficial to obtain a copy of the surveillance camera footage. Usually, a lawyer is needed to do so. With all that being said, if you require assistance with gathering this evidence, you must consult with a talented Tampa auto accident lawyer as soon as possible. Schedule your initial consultation with us today.
