The beginning of a new school year brings excitement, new routines, and busier roads throughout Central Florida. For families with children, buses are returning to neighborhood streets, and drivers are adjusting to increased traffic around schools and bus stops. Unfortunately, the combination can also create opportunities for serious accidents. As children head back to class, taking a few extra precautions can help make the trip to and from school safer for families and everyone on the road.
At Herring & Herring, P.A., Attorney Michael Scott Herring,. and Attorney Scott Herring understand how devastating a traffic accident involving a child can be for an entire family. As bus accident attorneys working within a family-run firm with three generations of legal practice, they bring a personal perspective to helping injured Floridians. From Sanford, the firm serves families throughout Seminole County, Brevard County, Orange County, and Volusia County.
Teach Children to Wait Safely for the School Bus
School bus safety begins before the bus arrives. Parents should talk with their children about where they should stand while waiting and why staying away from traffic is important.
The Florida Department of Education provides school transportation safety information for parents and students. Children should wait in a safe place away from the roadway and follow instructions from their bus driver or school district.
At Herring & Herring, P.A., we encourage parents to reinforce simple habits such as arriving at the stop early, avoiding running or horseplay near the roadway, and paying attention when the bus approaches.
Children should also understand that bus drivers have areas around the vehicle where visibility may be limited. If a child drops a backpack, phone, book, or another object near or underneath the bus, they should alert the driver rather than attempting to retrieve it without the driver’s knowledge.
Remind Children to Be Careful When Boarding and Exiting
Getting on and off the bus deserves just as much attention as the ride itself.
Children should wait until the bus has completely stopped before approaching it. When crossing a street, they should follow the bus driver’s directions and remain alert for other vehicles.
Parents can practice these routines with younger children before the school year begins. A few minutes spent reviewing where to stand, when to cross, and how to behave near the bus can help those safety habits become part of a child’s everyday routine.
As bus accident attorneys, our lawyers know that serious accidents can happen in seconds. Teaching children not to rush around buses or assume nearby motorists see them can help reduce unnecessary risks.
Drivers Need to Slow Down and Stay Alert
Back-to-school safety is not only the responsibility of students and parents. Drivers throughout Sanford and surrounding Central Florida communities also play an important role in protecting children. Motorists should pay particular attention near schools, residential bus stops, crosswalks, and neighborhoods during morning and afternoon school transportation hours.
Drivers should avoid distractions, watch for children entering the roadway, follow posted school-zone speed limits, and obey school bus warning lights and stop signals. Florida school transportation safety guidance reminds motorists to remain alert around schools and buses and follow applicable traffic laws.
At Herring and Herring, P.A. we know how one careless decision behind the wheel can have lasting consequences. Taking extra time around a school bus or school zone is a small inconvenience compared with the harm a preventable accident can cause.
When a School Bus Accident May Lead to a Negligence Claim
When someone is injured in a bus-related accident, determining exactly what happened is an important part of evaluating a potential negligence claim for the injured person and family.
Depending on the circumstances, an accident may involve a distracted or careless motorist, unsafe driving, speeding, failure to obey traffic laws, or another act of negligence. Bus accident cases may also involve multiple parties and insurance companies.
Evidence can become especially important. Photographs, video footage, witness information, medical documentation, vehicle records, and other evidence may help establish how an accident occurred and who may bear responsibility.
Our legal team can investigate the circumstances surrounding an accident and help families understand their legal options. Our approach is focused not simply on what happened at the scene, but also on how the resulting injuries may affect the individual and family moving forward.
What Is Comparative Fault in a Florida Accident Case?
Families may wonder, “ What is comparative fault ?“ Can an injured person’s actions affect a personal injury case?
Florida’s comparative fault law addresses situations in which responsibility for an accident is shared. Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, an injured person’s percentage of fault can affect the compensation that may be recovered. This can become particularly important when an insurance company attempts to argue that an injured person contributed to an accident.
At Herring & Herring, P.A., we can evaluate the evidence, investigate competing accounts of what occurred, and advocate for clients when another party attempts to shift responsibility unfairly.
Dealing With Insurance Companies After an Accident
Families dealing with injuries may quickly discover that an insurance claim is not always straightforward. Insurers may question liability, dispute medical expenses, undervalue injuries, or disagree about available coverage.
As insurance dispute lawyers, we know that obtaining fair treatment from an insurance company can sometimes require persistent advocacy and careful documentation. We communicate with insurers on behalf of clients and address issues that arise during the claims process. Our experience with personal injury matters, insurance disputes, and civil litigation allows us to approach an accident claim from several angles when necessary.
For families already dealing with medical appointments, missed work, and changes to everyday life, having attorneys handle the legal and insurance issues can relieve some of that burden.
When a School Transportation Accident Results in a Tragic Loss
Few situations are more devastating than losing a child or another family member in a preventable accident. When negligence causes a fatal accident, surviving family members may have legal options under Florida’s wrongful death laws. A wrongful death lawyer can explain those options while treating the family with the compassion and dignity such an extraordinarily difficult situation requires.
At Herring & Herring, P.A. we know that a legal claim cannot replace someone who has been lost. However, legal action may provide an opportunity for surviving family members to seek accountability and pursue the compensation available under Florida law.
At our firm, families can expect their concerns to be taken seriously and their circumstances to be treated personally rather than as simply another case file. If your family needs guidance after a serious accident, contact our firm to learn how we can help.
Why Choose Us After a Serious Florida Accident?
Herring & Herring, P.A. is built on three generations of legal practice. That family history is an important part of the firm’s approach to representing Florida families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Attorney Michael Scott Herring and Attorney Scott Herring continue that tradition by providing personal attention and experienced representation to injured clients. When someone turns to Herring & Herring, P.A., the goal is to provide access to an attorney with clear, straightforward information about the case.
Our attorneys have experience with negotiation, personal injury claims, insurance disputes, and civil litigation. When an appropriate resolution cannot be reached through negotiation, we can prepare to advocate for clients in court.
For families throughout Sanford, Seminole County, Brevard County, Orange County, and Volusia County, Attorney Michael Scott Herring and Attorney Scott Herring provide representation backed by a multigenerational commitment to serving injured Floridians.
Frequently Asked Questions About School Bus Accidents in Florida
What should a parent do immediately after learning a child was injured in a school bus accident?
A child’s health should come first. Parents should obtain appropriate medical care and preserve any documents they receive concerning the accident. They may also want to record what they know. At the same time, while events are fresh, write down the details, keep medical records and expenses organized, and speak with an attorney before making important decisions about a potential legal claim.
Can parents speak with witnesses after a school bus accident?
Parents may obtain basic contact information from people who witnessed an accident. However, families should avoid pressuring witnesses or attempting to influence what they say. An attorney can follow up appropriately as part of an investigation.
Should parents post information about a child’s accident on social media?
It is generally wise to be cautious. Photographs, comments, check-ins, and other posts may become relevant during an insurance claim or lawsuit. Families should consider keeping details about the accident and recovery private while the legal matter is pending.
Can video evidence exist after a school bus accident?
Yes. Depending on where and how the accident occurred, potential evidence could include bus cameras, nearby business surveillance footage, residential cameras, traffic cameras, or dashboard cameras. Because recordings may not be retained indefinitely, identifying potential evidence early can be important.
What happens if an insurance company contacts the family soon after the accident?
Families should be careful about providing recorded statements, signing documents, or accepting a settlement without understanding their legal rights. An early settlement may not account for the full extent of an injury, particularly when a child’s recovery and future medical needs remain uncertain. Attorney Michael Scott Herring and Attorney Scott Herring can help families understand how to respond to insurance communications.
Contact Herring & Herring, P.A. in Sanford Today
Back-to-school season should be a time for children to learn, make friends, and enjoy new opportunities. Unfortunately, when a careless driver or another party causes an accident, a family’s normal routine can change in an instant.
Herring & Herring, P.A. is a family-run Florida law firm with three generations of legal practice. Located in Sanford, the firm serves individuals and families throughout Seminole County, Brevard County, Orange County, and Volusia County. Attorney Michael Scott Herring and Attorney Scott Herring combine personal attention with experience in personal injury claims, insurance disputes, negotiation, and civil litigation while helping clients understand their rights and options after serious accidents.
Contact Herring & Herring, P.A by completing our online form or calling (407) 323-6700 to get the legal counsel you deserve.