What To Do After a School Bus Accident in Texas

Learning that your child has been in a school bus accident is every parent’s nightmare. The mix of fear, worry, and uncertainty can be immense, and while your first instinct is likely to rush to your child’s side, it can be hard to know what to do afterwards. We understand what you’re going through, and we’re here to help guide you through the steps that follow a school bus accident in Texas.
- Confirm your child’s location and condition from school officials
- Go to your child’s location and seek medical attention
- Document everything and get a copy of the police report
- Keep track of all accident-related expenses
- Contact other parents and share information
- Request the school bus maintenance and driver records
- Document your child’s physical and emotional changes after the accident
- Preserve any communication from the school district or insurance companies
The steps above can look overwhelming when you’re already dealing with the emotional impact of your child’s accident, which is why having experienced legal guidance can make all the difference. The Houston bus accident lawyers at Grimes & Fertitta understand the delicate nature of Texas school bus accidents and have helped many families navigate these challenges. We can handle the legal aspects while you focus on what matters most — your child’s recovery.
Call 713-224-7644 or contact us online to schedule a consultation today!
1. Confirm your child’s location
Whether the school bus jackknifes or a car hits a school bus, emotions always run high after bus accidents. Your first priority should always be your child. Contact the school administration immediately — they are required to have emergency protocols in place and should be able to tell you exactly where your child is being taken. Don’t rely on second-hand information from social media or other parents.
School districts have specific procedures following a Texas bus crash, and they should be able to connect you with the first responders on the scene. If your child has already been transported to a medical facility, get the exact name and address. Keep a record of who you spoke with and at what time, as this information may be important for your school bus accident claim later.
2. Seek medical attention
Even if your child appears unharmed after a bus crash in Texas, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial. Some injuries, particularly traumatic brain injuries in children, may not show immediate symptoms but could have serious long-term consequences. Medical documentation established right after the accident creates a necessary link between the crash and any injuries.
A thorough medical examination also protects your child’s health and strengthens your case for school bus accident settlements. Doctors know what to look for after auto accidents and can document everything from minor bruises to serious injuries. Follow all medical advice and attend every appointment — insurance companies often try to argue that injuries aren’t serious if medical care isn’t consistent.
3. Document and get the police report
Among the essential actions to take when a child is injured at school is gathering documentation. The police report serves as an official, unbiased account of what happened. This report includes crucial details like:
- Weather conditions
- Witness statements
- Potentially the officer’s opinion about what caused the accident
Request a copy of the police report as soon as it becomes available. The report number should be provided at the scene, but if not, contact the responding police department. This document often proves invaluable for expert witnesses who may later reconstruct the accident or testify about safety violations.
4. Track all expenses
Start a detailed record of every expense related to the accident, no matter how small. This includes obvious costs like medical bills and prescriptions, but also indirect expenses like parking at medical facilities, transportation costs if you need to take your child to therapy, and any lost wages from taking time off work to care for your child.
These records become strong evidence when negotiating with insurance companies or proving damages in a lawsuit. Insurance companies often dispute expenses that aren’t well-documented, so keep all receipts and create a spreadsheet tracking dates, amounts, and the reason for each expense.
5. Connect with other parents
Reaching out to other parents whose children were involved in the accident can provide emotional support and valuable information. Other families may have noticed important details about the accident or have information about the school bus accident policy that you weren’t aware of.
However, be cautious about discussing legal matters or your child’s specific injuries on social media or in group chats. While sharing general information and support is helpful, detailed discussions about the accident should be reserved for your legal team to ensure you don’t inadvertently say something that could harm your case.
6. Request bus records
Request maintenance records, driver qualifications, and inspection reports for the bus involved in the accident. These documents can reveal important information about the bus’s condition, the driver’s training and history, and whether proper safety protocols were followed.
Schools and bus companies are required to maintain detailed records, but they may be reluctant to share them. Your attorney can help obtain these documents through proper legal channels and analyze them for any evidence of negligence or safety violations.
7. Monitor your child’s changes
Keep a daily journal documenting any physical, emotional, or behavioral changes you notice in your child after the accident. Look for signs of anxiety, sleep disturbances, changes in academic performance, or reluctance to ride the bus. These observations can help identify post-traumatic stress or other psychological impacts.
Documentation of these changes also helps demonstrate the accident’s full impact on your child’s life and can significantly affect the value of your claim. Include both negative changes and improvements to show your child’s recovery journey.
8. Save all communications
Preserve every piece of communication related to the accident, including emails, letters, and text messages from the school, insurance companies, and medical providers. Set up a separate email folder and physical file to keep everything organized and easily accessible.
Never delete any communications, even if they seem unimportant at the time. Something that appears insignificant initially might become important later in your case. Also, save any automated messages or notices from the school about their accident response procedures.
Bus accidents — FAQs
Can I sue for injuries in a school bus accident?
Yes, you can sue for injuries sustained in a school bus accident, but the process is more complex than it is for typical auto accident cases. Your ability to sue and the potential compensation may depend on various factors, including whether the accident involved a public or private school bus, the severity of injuries, and whether negligence can be proven.
Can you sue a school bus driver?
In most cases, you can sue a school bus driver if their negligent actions led to the accident and subsequent injuries. However, if the driver works for a public school district, you will likely need to file a claim against the school district or municipality rather than the driver directly, because drivers are often protected by governmental immunity while performing their job duties.
How long does it take to get a settlement from a bus accident?
The timeline for a bus accident settlement can vary significantly, typically ranging from several months to two years depending on factors like injury severity, liability clarity, and whether the case goes to trial. Cases involving public school districts often have specific notice requirements and administrative procedures that must be followed, which can extend the timeline compared to regular auto accident cases.
Has your child been injured in a school bus accident? Call Grimes & Fertitta.
If your child has been involved in a school bus accident in Texas, you don’t have to navigate this challenging time alone. At Grimes & Fertitta, our Houston personal injury attorneys have extensive experience handling complex accident cases and securing the compensation families deserve.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these accidents can take on your family, and we’re here to shoulder the legal burden while you focus on your child’s recovery.
Let us put our experience and resources to work for your family. Call 713-224-7644 or contact us online to schedule your consultation. Our dedicated team is ready to protect your child’s rights and help your family move forward.
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- Can I Sue My Insurance Company for Emotional Distress?