The 3 Most Common Types of School Bus Accidents and Their Causes

The thought of your child being involved in school bus accidents causes dread in all parents. Here are the 3 most common type of school bus crashes.

In 2017, the nationwide yearly average for school bus-related deaths was 95. However, it's important to note that this number includes occupants of school-transportation and non-occupants.

But aren't school buses supposed to be safe? Fortunately, school buses remain the safest vehicle on the road.

Despite the statistics, your child is much safer traveling to school in a school bus as opposed to a car. 

However, it's essential for parents and school employees to be aware
of these three types of bus accidents that children, pedestrians and
other motorists can be susceptible to. 

1. Occupants Of The School Bus Are Injured

To start off, school transportation accidents that involve children
experiencing an injury on a bus remains the rarest type of bus accident.
This is due to the high level of safety that school bus companies
implement. 

There is no doubt that school buses are extremely large and extremely
heavy. This allows school buses to absorb much less crash force
and distribute that crash force differently than the average car,
protecting those who are in the school transportation vehicles. 

Children don't even need to be wearing a seat belt to be considered
safe in a school bus. This is thanks to compartmentalization.
Compartmentalization is the technique in which children are protected
from the closely packed seats that are made of energy absorbing
material. 

But, unfortunately, there are circumstances where children on a bus
can be injured. This can result from mechanical errors in the bus,
severe weather conditions or distracted drivers.

Legal claims that go along with this type of bus crash can include wrongful death, workers' compensation or personal injury. 

2. Other Motorists Are Injured

In the grand scheme of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania bus accidents, other motorists are more at stake to undergo school transportation-related injuries than children inside a bus. 

Since school buses are designed to compartmentalize the force of a crash, other vehicles often take a harder hit. In fact, 70 percent of school transportation-related deaths happen to people in another vehicle.

For example, say you are driving to work early on a Monday morning as
the school bus in front of you slows down at a bus stop. The bus driver
turns on his flashing red lights and extends the stop sign on the side
of the bus.

As you come to a halt behind the bus, the driver behind you does not.
So not only have you now been rear-ended, but you have also rear-ended
the bus in front of you, leaving you and your car in the middle of the
accident to absorb all of the force. 

Because that force can be so drastic, injuries from school bus accidents that involve other motorists
can range from bumps and bruises to unfortunate fatalities. Because of
this, drivers should always be conscious of their surroundings on the
road to protect both their safety and the safety of the children who are
on the bus. 

Much like the last type of school transportation-related accident,
this type of accident can also result from mechanical errors, distracted
drivers and severe weather conditions. 

This type of bus accident could result in a property damage, personal injury or wrongful death claim. 

3. Pedestrians Are Injured

Another common school bus-related incident involves pedestrians.
These pedestrians can include children crossing the road to get to and
from school or even adults going for their morning run. 

Again, you would think that it would be easy to spot a bright yellow
school bus from a mile away. But if a pedestrian or a school bus driver
isn't paying attention, an accident can happen within the blink of an
eye. 

Pedestrians accounted for 20 percent of the school
transportation-related deaths from 2007 to 2016. Most of these accidents
happen when the school bus is driving straight ahead as opposed to
changing lanes, turning or swerving. So it's important for you and your
child to always keep an eye out for school buses while walking. 

In the unfortunate case that you or someone you know experiences this
type of bus accident, a personal injury or wrongful death claim could
be filed. 

School Bus Accident Prevention 

You would think that a massive, bright yellow bus would be enough to
practice school bus accident prevention. But, unfortunately, there are
too many school transportation-related accidents every single year. 

Luckily, there are ways that you and your child can both practice school bus safety
and bus accident prevention. For starters, make sure that you know your
state's bus stopping laws. Because not only can following these laws
prevent you from getting a massive ticket, but that can also prevent you
from getting in bus accidents. 

Make sure your child is aware of bus stop safety. This includes
getting to the bus stop with at least five minutes to spare and having a
designated waiting area as far away from the curb as possible. You
should also instruct your child to refrain from walking behind a bus and
close to the curbs. 

It's also essential to refrain from distracted driving. While most
parents are aware of the dangers of texting while driving, distracted
driving encompasses much more than that. For example, always keep your
eyes glued to the road with two hands on the wheel.

Refrain from changing the radio, reaching for something in the back
seat and digging in your purse. Because the last thing you want to do is
hit a school bus because you weren't paying attention to the road. 

Lastly, always keep a safe distance from school buses whether you are
walking, driving or cycling. It's simply better to be safe than sorry.
And by avoiding school transportation at all costs, you are already
creating a safer environment for you, your child and everyone else on
the road.  

MTA City Bus Accidents

School bus accidents aren't the only type of bus accidents that
people should be aware of on the road. It's important to also be wary of
New York city bus accidents as well. 

These accidents can result from bus drivers who are not properly
trained and from drivers failing to see other vehicles on the road. And
while city buses are large and bulky, much like school buses are,
distracted drivers risk the hazard of causing a city bus crash.

Just a few month back six people were injured when the driver of a Brooklyn MTA bus crashed in the Crown Heights section of Kings County.

Plus, the standard rollover rate for bus accidents are much higher
than other vehicles. And these accidents can, unfortunately, cause
significant property damage and bodily injury. 

Do You Think You Have A Claim As the Result of Being in a Bus Accidents? 

New York school bus accidents are tragic and unfortunate
circumstances. And, unfortunately, even with the proper education and
prevention, these accidents still take place. If you or someone you know
has experienced a school transportation-related accident, know that you
are not alone. 

Here at Find Injury Law, we have 30 years of experience in working
hard to put you in contact with the best personal injury firm for you
and your case. Contact us today to receive the legal guidance you need. 


Suing a Doctor: The Basics of a Medical Malpractice Case

Did your doctor recently commit medical malpractice?

Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. 

If your doctor has committed malpractice, you're entitled to
compensation. If you plan on suing a doctor, you need to know some basic
information. Check out all you need to know about medical malpractice.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice is
a legal cause of action that occurs when a medical professional
deviates from the standard of care. A medical professional is liable for
injuries that occur when they neglect or don't provide the care that
their patient requires.

Malpractice can be difficult to prove so it's important to have an experienced attorney to guide you through the process. The medical malpractice
field of law exists to help individuals recover compensation from any
injuries that result from not being given the proper standard of care. 

What are the Different Types of Malpractice?

Not all medical malpractice suits are the same. There are several different types of malpractice. 

  • Surgical errors
  • Misdiagnosis
  • Prescription drug errors
  • Failure or refusal to treat
  • Birth-related errors
  • Neglect

Let's take an in-depth look at the different ways a doctor can commit medical malpractice.

Surgical Errors

Surgical errors can occur in a few different ways. The doctor may
perform surgery on the wrong site. They can ever perform surgery on the
incorrect patient. Surgical errors can also include carelessly leaving
sponges or other objects inside a patient during surgery.

Anesthesia errors also fall under surgical malpractice. A patient may
be given the wrong type of anesthesia. Some patients have certain
allergies that prevent them from receiving certain types of anesthesia.

Misdiagnosis

A medical misdiagnosis happens when a doctor incorrectly diagnoses a
patient or not diagnosing them. This is a very common medical mistake.
Depending on the type of misdiagnosis, the consequences could be
life-threatening to the patient.

Prescription Drug Errors

Another common medical mistake involves prescription drugs. A doctor
can prescribe the wrong medication for a patient. A pharmacy may fill
the prescription incorrectly or give the wrong medication. 

Failure to note patient allergies or the possible side effects of
mixing a particular medicine with a patient's other medicines can be
catastrophic. This is one reason it's so important for medical
professionals to know a patient's full and complete medical history
prior to administering medications.

Failure or Refusal to Treat

If a doctor fails to properly treat or even refuses to treat a
patient, they could be sued for medical malpractice. There is a certain standard of care that a doctor needs to provide to their patients.

There are circumstances where a doctor can refuse to treat a patient.
For example, if a doctor or hospital has a religious objection to
abortion, they can refuse to perform the procedure.

State and federal laws differ when it comes to malpractice. However,
in some cases, refusal to treat can lead to medical malpractice. If you
were refused treatment and you have been told by a reputable medical
professional that you should have received treatment, you may have a
basis for a malpractice suit.

Failure to treat can occur when a doctor fails to properly treat a
patient after correctly diagnosing them. This can also include
discharging a patient too soon and improper follow-up care. All these
things can lead to injury or worsening of patient conditions.

Birth-Related Errors

Improper care during and after pregnancy can contribute to
birth-related errors. This includes medical negligence to the baby
and/or mother. Types of birth-related errors include:

  • bone fractures
  • surgical negligence during cesarean section
  • nerve damage
  • spinal injury
  • cerebral palsy from an unnecessary, delayed cesarean section

Pregnancies are complex. Some of these injuries can occur even
when everything is done to the best of the doctor's ability. However, if
it can be proven that any of these injuries were a result of doctor
negligence, then you may be able to file a medical malpractice suit.

It's important to note that a defense attorney may argue that the
birth injury is, in fact, a birth defect. The two terms may sound
similar, but they are very different.

A birth defect means that your child was genetically predisposed to
the injury or disability. A birth injury is something that occurs during
birth. It wouldn't normally occur in a typical, healthy baby.

Neglect

Neglect is a common reason for medical malpractice suits. This
happens when medical professionals simply do not provide a patient with
proper care. Neglect often occurs in nursing homes.
Nursing home patients may develop bed sores or malnutrition. Neglect
also happens when a patient doesn't receive the proper medication.

Suing a Doctor

Now, you may be wondering how to sue a doctor. There are certain
basic requirements that must be met in order to follow through with a
medical malpractice suit. 

You must be able to prove that the doctor-patient relationship
actually existed. This is easily proved as such relationships are
documented within the medical facility.

You then must be able to prove that the doctor or medical
professional was indeed negligent. Did the doctor cause an injury that a
competent medical professional would not have caused? Was your injury a
direct result of the doctor's negligence?

You also have to be able to prove that the injury caused
specific damages. Did you experience loss of wages because you were
unable to work? Have you experienced mental distress? Have you endured
additional medical bills as a result of the injury?

Finally, you should be aware of your state's statute of limitations.
What is the specific deadline for filing a medical malpractice suit? If
you are ever uncertain about the statute of limitations or anything
else, contact a credible and qualified medical malpractice lawyer.

Get the Help You Need

When it comes to suing a doctor, you want to know your rights and
options. When proper medical malpractice suits against doctors are
filed, those injured may receive compensation to cover medical bills,
lost wages, and medical care.

Are you ready to find legal counsel who can represent you well during a medical malpractice suit? Contact us today to get a medical malpractice lawyer who will help you get the compensation you deserve.


The Causes and Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Every year, nearly three million
people visit the emergency room because they're experiencing symptoms
related to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs also contribute
to approximately 30 percent of all injury deaths.

If you or someone you love has experienced a TBI, it's important to educate yourself on them.

If the injury was the result of an accident, such as a slip-and-fall
or a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury.

Read on to learn more about the causes and effects of TBI and gain
some insight into whether or not a personal injury lawsuit is a good
approach for you.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

First things first, let's clarify what a traumatic brain injury is.

A traumatic brain injury is a type of injury that occurs when someone
experiences some sort of trauma to their head. This trauma may come in
the form of a blow, a jolt, or a penetration wound.

Traumatic brain injuries range from mild to severe. Mild TBIs are
temporary and may not cause any lasting damage to the brain cells.

The more severe a TBI is, though, the great the chance there is of
experiencing long-term damage (bleeding, torn tissues, bruising, etc.).
Severe TBIs can even be fatal.

Causes and Effects of TBI

You know that a TBI is brought on by some sort of trauma.

What are the most common traumas associated with this injury, though? And, how can you tell if someone actually has a TBI?

Common Causes of TBI

Some forms of trauma that are associated with TBI include:

  • Falls: These falls can be from a bed, from a ladder, down the
    stairs, in the bathroom, or any other location; falls are most common in
    the elderly and young children.
  • Vehicle collisions: They may involve cars, bicycles, motorcycles, and/or pedestrians.
  • Violence: Gunshot wounds, child abuse, and domestic violence can all cause TBI.
  • Sports injuries: TBI is most common in sports like soccer, football, lacrosse, boxing, baseball, skateboarding, and hockey.
  • Penetrating wounds: TBI can also occur when someone experiences a
    severe blow and an object like debris or shrapnel penetrates the head.

These are not the only causes of TBI, of course. But, they are some of the most well-known.

Effects of Mild TBI

After the trauma, the individual will likely experience a variety of
physical, cognitive, and sensory symptoms. The severity of these
symptoms will vary depending on the severity of the trauma.

If someone experiences a mild TBI, they will experience some, if not all, of the following physical symptoms:

  • Loss of consciousness for anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes
  • A dazed, confused or disoriented state
  • Headaches
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Fatigue and/or drowsiness
  • Speech problems
  • Sleeping difficulties
  • Dizziness or a loss of balance

They may also experience sensory symptoms like blurred vision, a
ringing sensation in the ears, or a bad taste in their mouth. They may
be sensitive to light or sound as well.

Common cognitive symptoms include difficulty focusing or remembering.
They may also experience mood swings or feelings of depression or
anxiety.

Effects of Moderate-to-Severe TBI

If someone experiences a moderate-to-severe TBI, their symptoms will also be more severe.

Common physical symptoms include:

  • Loss of consciousness for anywhere from several minutes to several hours
  • A headache that lasts for a long time or gets worse over time
  • Frequent vomiting and/or nausea
  • Seizures
  • Dilation of one or both of the pupils
  • Clear fluids leaking from the ears or nose
  • An inability to wake up after falling asleep
  • Weakness or a loss of feeling in the fingers and/or toes
  • A loss of coordination

The sensory symptoms associated with a moderate-to-severe TBI
are similar to the sensory symptoms one might experience following a
mild TBI. 

As for cognitive symptoms, profound confusion is common, as is
unusually aggressive or combative behavior. They may also experience
slurred speech, or they could slip into a coma or experience another
consciousness disorder.

What to do if You've Experienced a TBI

If you think you've experienced a traumatic brain injury, you must see a doctor as soon as possible.

Not only will seeing a doctor allow you to get an official diagnosis,
but you will be able to get the treatment you need. And, you'll be less
likely to experience complications related to your injury.

If your TBI was related to an accident like a slip-and-fall, a
vehicle-related collision, or some form of violence, you may also be
entitled to compensation. In order to get the compensation you deserve,
you may want to hire a personal injury lawyer.

If you do decide to seek legal counsel, start looking for a lawyer as
soon as possible. Most states have limits on how long you can wait
before you file a lawsuit after you experience a TBI.

How to Find the Right Personal Injury Lawyer

If you're interested in hiring a personal injury lawyer to help you
get compensation for your TBI, these tips can help you ensure you're
hiring the right person:

  • Work with a company like Find Injury Law that vets legal firms
    and helps you find highly qualified lawyers who can get you the highest
    possible compensation
  • Make sure the lawyer you see for your consultation is the lawyer with whom you will actually be working
  • Do some research into your potential lawyer to learn about their reviews and what past clients are saying about them
  • Pay attention to the chemistry between you and your potential lawyer

This last point is especially important. Do they speak in a way
that you can understand? Are they patient and willing to answer your
questions? 

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Now that you know more about the causes and effects of TBI, you can
use that information to help you get the compensation you deserve after
your accident. 

Have you or someone you love recently experienced a TBI? Do you need help with a personal injury claim?

If you live in or around New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, we can help at Find Injury Law. 

Contact us today to
learn more about our services or to schedule a free consultation with an
experienced, qualified personal injury attorney.