A kindergartener and his mother were killed in a pedestrian accident in Westchester County after they were hit by a school bus. According to a WABC news report, the fatal incident occurred the morning of June 20 when the mother and child were walking to school. The 6-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene and the 43-year-old mother was transported to an area hospital where she died from her injuries.
Ongoing Investigation
Police said their initial investigation revealed that the school bus was traveling eastbound from New Street and turning left onto Mamaroneck Avenue with the green light. As the bus was turning several parents and children were crossing the street at the crosswalk with the walk sign, officials said. The driver of the school bus, a 68-year-old man, is cooperating with the police. No charges have been filed pending an official investigation.
It is not clear why the bus driver did not yield the right of way to the pedestrians. Parents say that they have been requesting a crossing guard at that intersection for years because it is crowded and dangerous. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the victims’ family for their tremendous loss. They will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Accidents Involving Pedestrians and School Buses
All drivers have a legal responsibility to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and adhere to speed limits, especially in school zones. Due to its large size and weight, a bus collision with pedestrians has the potential to result in severe injuries or even fatalities to victims. Pedestrians, especially children, are vulnerable because they may not always be visible to bus drivers, especially in blind spots around the bus. Such accidents tend to affect families, schools, and communities deeply.
Schools and cities must implement safety measures such as designated crossing areas, crossing guards, as well as clear signage to minimize risks. Bus drivers should be trained to be vigilant around bus stops and school zones and to avoid distractions or negligent (careless) behavior while driving.
Liability Issues
Liability in school bus versus pedestrian accidents can be complex and depends on various factors such as negligence (carelessness) and the specific circumstances of the incident. There are several parties who can be held liable for a school bus accident involving pedestrians. The bus driver has a duty to operate the vehicle safely, follow traffic laws, and be vigilant of pedestrians, especially near bus stops and school zones. If a driver is found to have been negligent (careless) in such incidents, he or she may be held liable.
In some cases, liability may extend to the school district or the bus company that operates the bus. This could be due to inadequate driver training, maintenance issues with the bus, or failure to implement safety protocols. Determining liability often involves a thorough investigation by law enforcement and possibly by insurance companies and legal representatives of those involved. Witness statements, traffic camera footage, and expert analysis may be used to establish liability. Retaining an experienced New York personal injury lawyer as early as possible will help put victims and their families in the best possible position to protect their legal rights and secure maximum compensation for their losses.
Compensation for Victims and Families
Injured victims of pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents can seek compensation from at-fault parties for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families that have lost loved ones in pedestrian accidents can seek compensation for damages such as medical and funeral costs, pain and suffering, lost future income, etc.
Pedestrian accident victims and their families should also remember that they can seek compensation for injuries or losses in collisions even if the victim was not walking in a marked crosswalk and even if the driver involved in collision was not charged. Our law firm recovered the full one-million-dollar insurance policy for a girl who was not in the crosswalk when a motor vehicle hit her.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident or bicycle accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 53 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. We recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://abc7ny.com/post/pedestrian-struck-outside-school-mamaroneck-westchester-county/14980340/