Boy Struck by School Bus in Ferndale

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on January 17, 2013

A seven-year-old boy was injured in a Washington pedestrian accident when he was struck by his school bus. According to a Q13 Fox news report, the school bus accident occurred on Lummi Shore Drive in Ferndale, Washington. Officials say the boy got off at his stop and was attempting to cross the road in front of the bus when the vehicle rolled over him. The extent of the victim’s injuries was not disclosed, but emergency workers airlifted him to a nearby facility. According to the State Patrol, driver inattention was a contributing factor in the crash. It is not clear if the 56-year-old Ferndale driver will face any charges or citations in connection with this Washington school bus accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 1,409 school transportation-related fatal accidents between 1998 and 2008. In those crashes, 1,564 people were killed, which is an average of 142 fatalities a year. Of the fatally injured victims, 72 percent were occupants of other vehicles, 20 percent were non-occupants, such as pedestrians and bicyclists, and eight percent were occupants of school transportation vehicles.

Distracted driving and driver inattention are common factors in many bus accidents. When this happens, the bus driver, the bus company, or even the school district can be held accountable for the damages suffered by the victim. The family of a child injured in a school bus accident should discuss their legal rights and options with an experienced personal injury lawyer who will help them get fair compensation for their losses. Compensation should be available for all current and future medical bills, pain and suffering, and other related damages.

The experienced Seattle car accident attorneys at Hardwick and Pendergast provide free consultations on all potential injury claims. Please contact us at (888) 228-3860 to discuss your case. We have a long history of handling bus accident claims and will work diligently to help you obtain fair and full compensation for your significant losses.