Ever since the devastating Chattanooga bus crash late last year, issues regarding school buses have been in the spotlight. Among these issues, complaints about school bus drivers have been rising. Nearly 400 complaints were lodged from August to January alone, ranging from minor issues to serious safety concerns.
Some of these complaints are reminiscent of those lodged against Johnthony Walker, the driver in the Chattanooga accident. Students on his bus frequently mentioned Walker’s excessive speed, which is thought to have been a factor in the accident. Some students expressed concern that Walker’s driving would eventually lead to the bus rolling over, concerns that turned out to be well-founded.
Tennessee lawmakers have put forth a few bills to address some of these problems. One would require districts to create a policy or procedure for the collection and maintenance of complaints and resolutions. At current, there is no such system allowing the public to monitor complaints and their resolutions. Another bill would require districts to have a timeline in which to start an investigation and maintain records of investigations.
LEGAL RECOURSE FOR TENNESSEE SCHOOL BUS CRASHES
Having a child suffer injury in a bus accident is a harrowing experience. Parents have an expectation that when they send their children to school, those children are in the hands of a capable, safe bus driver. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
When a bus accident occurs, parents are able to seek legal recourse through civil lawsuits against the at-fault party. In some situations, it is even possible for the parents to file suit against the school district or the company in charge of the school bus. If your child has been injured due to negligence on a school bus, speaking to an attorney is the best way to identify all possible at-fault parties and to seek damages for your child’s injury.
1 Peter 1:8-9, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”