We can help you claim
compensation following an accident
illness or injury - nationwide
Call: 0800 10 757 95
School buses perform a very important task, ferrying our children to and from their places of learning. Because of this, the companies that are contracted with this responsibility must strive towards, and meet, the highest possible safety standards; where they do not, whether it causes a school bus accident or just a safety alarm, it is usually possible for the relevant local authority to cancel any contractual agreement between itself and the bus operator.
This scenario is exactly what occurred in November 2009 when Scottish Borders Council announced that it would be ripping up its contract with its school bus operator after one of the operator's drivers acted negligently by ignoring clear road safety signage and driving onto a flooded highway.
Understandably, many parents expressed anger at the driver's actions, which so easily might have resulted in a school bus accident and potential passenger injury. One parent told the Peebleshire News, "This is absolute madness. He ignored the road closed sign completely. Not only was he putting the children in danger but what kind of message does that give to the children on board."
While the head of Peebleshire schools also voiced her concern, "We are extremely concerned about this incident. The safety of our children is paramount and anything that compromises this is not acceptable. This will be investigated fully and appropriate action will be taken," she said.
But the safety scare was not the only incident behind the council's decision to cancel its contract with the bus operator. Back in September of the same year, the company was severely reprimanded after it was found that a driver had ignored smoke coming from the engine of one school bus, before it later exploded. To make matters worse, the two safety incidents occurred on the same route.
Local councillor, and spokeswoman for education, Catriona Bhatia did her best to reassure parents that lessons would be learnt: "This is completely unacceptable and we will do everything we can to secure the safety of our children.
"I have spoken with several parents and I have given them my assurances that action will be taken to stop incidents like this happening again."
Many parents have welcomed the news that the future contractor will be obliged to provide all children with seatbelts.
Claim compensation if your child has suffered injury in a school bus accident
Schools and school bus operators have a significant duty of care to ensure that your child does not suffer personal injury while journeying to and from school.
Should your child suffer an injury as a result of some form of accident while using school transport, it may be possible to launch a compensation claim against the local authority or bus operator responsible for protecting the safety of your child.
Personal injury can have a major impact on the development of a young child or adolescent; it can also result in lost working hours for you, time spent away from school for your child, as well as pain, suffering, trauma and medical expenses.
Here at YouClaim our expert no-win no-fee solicitors can help you claim damages for all of these things.
Furthermore, they are able to do so without you ever incurring any charge; win or lose, you are protected from all possible costs, fees and disbursements.
In addition, we never take a cut from any payout for a school bus accident – our 100 percent compensation promise.
To find out more about how we can help you and your child secure compensation, echat, complete an online claim form or call a specialist advisor now, on 0800 10 757 95.
