Fatal Pedestrian Accident Results in Tragic Death of Douglasville Teenager

When parents walk their children to the bus stop, they presume that once their children board the bus they will be safe. However, last year there was a wave of school bus accidents in Georgia that have resulted in the tragic injury and even the wrongful death of school children.

These bus accidents have been caused by a wave of irresponsible and unsafe practices, including drivers that are not properly screened or supervised, as well as drivers impaired by drugs. When bus drivers engage in these unsafe practices or school districts fail to properly screen, train and supervise their buses, the school district may also be liable for injuries to students riding the bus.

In one tragic accident involving a school bus, Brandy Hart, a seventeen year-old Douglasville teenager, was hit by a vehicle after getting off a school bus. The girl had disembarked the bus and was crossing the street when a motor vehicle driver slammed into the teenager. Media reports indicate that the bus was stopped and its red lights activated when the teenage pedestrian was hit by the car. While the pedestrian bus accident is currently under investigation, drivers who fail to obey the flashing red lights of a school bus may be liable both criminally and civilly.

School buses and flashing red lights are designed to ensure the extra caution necessary when children are present. If a pedestrian child is injured when getting on or off a bus, there may be multiple parties that share liability for a school bus pedestrian collision. Parties that may share liability when a pedestrian child is hit by a car while getting off a bus include the following:

• Driver of the vehicle that struck the child
• Owner of the vehicle who entrusted the driver with the vehicle
• School bus drivers who fail to follow safety procedures
• School districts that fail to properly screen, train or supervise bus drivers

Because school districts have the protection of sovereign immunity, a claim or lawsuit for a pedestrian accident against a school bus driver or school district can be complicated. There are special notice requirements and time limits for filing a governmental claim prior to filing a lawsuit against a governmental entity like a school district. There are also special damage limitations that may apply when suing a Georgia school district.

The experienced and dedicated bus accident lawyers at Montlick & Associates have been representing victims of Georgia pedestrian accidents since 1984. If you or your child has been injured in a pedestrian accident, our Georgia pedestrian accident lawyers provide the high quality legal representation of a large firm delivered with the personal attention of a small boutique firm. Our Georgia accident attorneys are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.