OREGON SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Get Trusted Help with School Bus Accident Injury Claims Across Oregon

Over 242,000 children in Oregon ride yellow school buses to and from school each day. When you send your children off to school, you trust that they will arrive safely. Unfortunately, accidents involving school buses do happen. The results can be devastating for children, their families, and other drivers on the road. 

If you or your child has been injured in a school bus accident, Marc A. Johnston and the legal team at Johnston Law Firm want to hear from you. We’re a Portland-based law firm and serve clients throughout all of Oregon. We can help you navigate this complex situation, ensuring you get the compensation you deserve.

Reach out to an Oregon bus accident lawyer at Johnston Law Firm today. Call us 24/7 at (503) 546-3167 or contact us online for a free consultation.

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How Our Attorneys Can Help With Your Oregon School Bus Accident Claim

When your child is harmed in a school bus accident, your family should be able to focus on their recovery rather than insurance claims and legal complications. At Johnston Law Firm, our Oregon school bus accident lawyers can take on the legal work, investigate what happened, and pursue the compensation your child and family deserve.

When you work with us, we will:

• Investigate the accident: We examine crash reports, maintenance records, driver histories, witness accounts, and other available evidence to determine what happened.
• Identify responsible parties: We work to establish whether the bus driver, school district, transportation company, another driver, or another party may be liable.
• Calculate your family’s damages: We assess medical expenses, rehabilitation, therapy, future treatment needs, and other losses resulting from your child’s injuries.
• Handle insurance companies: We communicate and negotiate with insurers on your behalf, challenging attempts to minimize or undervalue your child’s claim.
• File a personal injury lawsuit: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we will take the case to court and pursue appropriate compensation through litigation. In fact, we approach every motor vehicle accident case as though it may go to trial, building strong evidence and a strong case from the start.
• Support your family throughout the case: We handle the legal details and keep you informed so you can spend more time focusing on your child and family.

Common Causes of Oregon School Bus Accidents

A school bus accident in Oregon can occur due to various factors, such as the following. 

Driver negligence

The most frequent cause of bus accidents is driver error, including:

• Distracted driving: School bus drivers can become distracted by their smartphones, radios, or the behavior of the children on board
• Reckless driving: Bus drivers who fail to obey traffic laws, such as speeding or running stop signs, increase the chance of accidents
• Drowsy driving: Many drivers of school buses get up early and work long hours, which can lead to fatigue and reduced concentration
• Inadequate training: Some school bus drivers may have not received proper training on how to deal with difficult road conditions or emergencies

Road and weather conditions

Hazardous road conditions can contribute to accidents involving school buses. Factors such as potholes, uneven surfaces, or construction zones can make it difficult for a bus to navigate safely. Poor signage and unclear road markings may confuse drivers, resulting in errors and accidents. 

Weather in Oregon can be severe and unpredictable. Inclement weather, such as rain, snow, fog, and ice, can impair visibility and traction, making it challenging for buses to stop quickly or stay within their lanes. 

Vehicle malfunctions and design flaws

Failure to perform regular maintenance checks and fix issues can result in preventable accidents. 

The following mechanical issues with buses can lead to accidents:

• Brake failure
• Tire blowouts
• Engine trouble
• Faulty lights 
• Steering issues

Sometimes, the design or manufacturing of the bus itself is defective. Faulty seat belts, lack of safety features, or design flaws that make the bus more prone to rollovers are some possible issues. 

Other drivers

At times, accidents are not the result of bus driver negligence but are caused by other drivers. Examples include failure to stop for a school bus and impaired or distracted drivers.

Oregon law requires drivers to stop when a school bus is picking up or dropping off children. Failure to do so can lead to collisions. Additionally, other drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol or who are distracted by their phones can cause accidents involving school buses. 

Don’t miss out on these common personal injury mistakes.

Get the legal counsel you need to guide you through the process of filing an injury claim.

Who Is Liable for an Oregon School Bus Accident?

Determining liability following Oregon school bus accidents can be complicated. This is especially true if multiple parties are involved. 

Individuals and entities who could be held liable include the following:

• The bus driver: What if the bus accident occurred because of the driver speeding, failing to obey traffic laws, driving distracted, or some other form of negligence? Then the bus driver could be held accountable.
• The school district: School districts have a responsibility to hire qualified bus drivers and ensure that buses are properly maintained. If the district failed to train drivers properly or neglected routine inspections on buses, they could be held liable. 
• The bus manufacturer: If a defect in the design or manufacturing of the bus played a part in the accident, the bus manufacturer could be held accountable. In these situations, a personal injury attorney could help you file a product liability claim. 
• Other drivers: If another driver’s reckless actions cause or contribute to a motor vehicle accident, he or she can be held responsible for resulting injuries and damages.
• Maintenance contractors: What if the school district uses a third-party company to perform maintenance on their buses and that company fails to keep the buses in proper working order? The company could be held liable for any accidents resulting from vehicle malfunctions. 
• Government entities: In cases involving poor road conditions or lack of signage, a government entity could be held liable for an accident. Bus accident cases against a government entity often involve specific procedural requirements, such as short deadlines for filing a claim.

Compensation We Can Help You Recover if Your Child Has Been Injured in an Oregon School Bus Crash

A school bus accident can leave your family facing immediate expenses while also creating concerns about your child’s long-term health. At Johnston Law Firm, we look beyond the initial medical bills to determine how the injuries may affect your child and family in the future.

Depending on the circumstances, we may pursue economic damages for measurable financial losses, including:

• Medical expenses: Emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, medication, and specialist care.
• Future medical care: Rehabilitation, therapy, follow-up procedures, and anticipated treatment needs.
• Other accident-related costs: Reasonable expenses resulting from your child’s injuries and recovery.

We may also pursue non-economic damages addressing the personal effects of the injuries, such as:

• Pain and suffering: Physical pain and discomfort caused by the accident.
• Emotional distress: Psychological and emotional consequences associated with the crash and recovery.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Limitations affecting activities and experiences important to your child.

We carefully document these losses to pursue compensation that reflects the full impact of your child’s injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oregon School Bus Accident Claims