What is the School Bus Danger Zone?

Whether your child attends a school in San Marcos or a nearby area in San Diego County, you may already be aware of various safety risks that often impact kids who ride or are waiting for school buses, as well as those who are regular pedestrians in areas where school buses drive. While school-age pedestrians are at greater risk of injury around school bus pick-up areas and in school zones than other pedestrians, it is also important to know about specific risks associated with the area immediately around a school bus itself. Researchers often point to the hazards children face while waiting for a school bus, but there is also something known as a “danger zone” around the school bus where collisions are most likely to occur. 

What do you need to know about the danger zone? And what should you do if your child is injured in a school bus accident?

The School Bus “Danger Zone”

The school bus “danger zone” is a more commonly and widely understood phrase than you might think. It is used across states, cities, and towns in relation to school bus hazards and areas where injuries are common. So, what is it?

According to the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the school bus danger zone “is the area on all sides of the bus where children are in the most danger of being hit, either by another vehicle or their own bus.” The DMV clarifies that this zone is relatively large, often extending out by 30 feet from the school bus front bumper (although the initial 12-foot area extending from the bumper is the most dangerous), 12 feet on either side, and another 12 feet from the rear bumper. In terms of sides, the left side is more dangerous than the right side.

Who is Liable for a School Bus Injury?

Liability in a school bus accident is not always straightforward. Even in cases where a bus driver’s negligence causes an injury, not only can the bus driver be liable, but the school district will likely be liable, as well. Parties who are commonly liable in school bus accidents include but are not limited to:

• School bus drivers;
• School district;
• Mechanic who worked on the school bus;
• Motorist driving near the school bus; and/or
• Designer or manufacturer of the school bus or one of its components. 

As the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles underscores, the school bus danger zone is not only defined as such because a child can be struck and injured by a school bus. These are also areas where other motorists driving nearby or passing a bus can be involved in a collision. Thus, while the school district may be liable for a range of injuries that occur on or around a school bus, other parties may also bear responsibility. It is important to have a lawyer assess your case to determine which party or parties you could be eligible to name in a civil lawsuit.

Contact a San Marcos Personal Injury Lawyer for Assistance

Nobody expects their child to be seriously injured in an accident involving a school bus. And while these types of collisions are certainly less common than other kinds of motor vehicle crashes and pedestrian accidents, they do happen. The best way to avoid injuries is to ensure that you understand the hazards and help your child to understand them, as well. If a collision does occur, it is important to work with an experienced San Marcos school bus accident attorney to identify the liable party or parties and to begin working on a claim for compensation. Contact the Walton Law Firm to find out more about filing a bus accident claim. 

See Related Blog Posts:

Common Causes of Pedestrian Fatalities in Oceanside

School Bus Accident Lawyer in Vista