Car accidents during a community’s commute to and from school are unfortunately common and can result in serious consequences for students and their families.
Morning and afternoon school commutes typically see an increase in traffic congestion, distracted drivers and hurried behavior. Teen drivers, who may be less experienced, are often behind the wheel during these hours. Combined with the presence of school buses, pedestrians and cyclists, these factors create a higher risk of collisions. Whether a particular crash involves another vehicle, a pedestrian and/or a school bus, the legal and medical aftermath can be significant.
Navigating the legal aftermath of a wreck
If your teen is injured in an accident on the way to or from school, several legal options may be available depending on who was at fault. North Carolina follows a fault-based approach when it comes to car accidents. This means the at-fault party (or their insurance company) is usually responsible for paying damages to those whom they have harmed.
However, North Carolina also applies a strict contributory negligence rule. If an injury victim is found to be even a little bit at fault for the accident, they may be barred from successfully seeking compensation. One utterance or missing piece of evidence could mean the difference between fair compensation awards for victims and walking away from a crash with nothing.
In cases involving school buses, additional rules and legal complexities may affect a victim’s situation. School districts, their drivers or even private transportation contractors could potentially be held liable if negligence is involved. However, claims against public entities have strict procedures and time limits, so acting quickly is necessary.
There is no doubt that crashes occurring during school commutes can be consequential. Thankfully, by seeking legal guidance promptly, injury victims are able to successfully seek the full amount of compensation to which they are entitled.
