During National Safety School Bus Safety Week, The federal Department of Transportation (DOT) announced new regulations and funding designed to make school buses safer.  The new regulations include higher seat backs, lap and shoulder belts on smaller buses, and standards for seat belts on larger school buses.  The National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA), provides numerous publications, resource guides, and statistical research promoting school bus safety awareness to educate students, bus drivers, and other motorists about proper behavior aimed at reducing risk of school bus related injuries and fatalities.

School bus safety has been a hot topic in the news.  In addition to the national safety promotions that are occurring, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports that a federal grand jury in Madison, Wisconsin indicted the semi-truck driver acquitted of state charges last year in the school bus accident that killed five and injured dozens near Eau Claire. The driver, 25-year old Michael Kozlowski, has been indicted on federal charges after the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) determined via an investigation, that Kozlowski improperly falsified his driving logs.   On the day of the accident in question, Kozlowski allegedly fell asleep at the wheel.  When his vehicle hit the shoulder, he tried to turn back onto the roadway, flipping his vehicle into the occupied school bus.

Although its not clear whether or not new school bus safety regulations would have saved lives in the Eau Claire accident, the new regulations should help to prevent injuries in the most common types of school bus collisions, such as rear end and T-bone impacts.

If your child is injured in a school bus accident or any other type of motor vehicle crash, contact the Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A., for FREE written materials discussing your rights and mistakes to avoid in any potential claim.

The boy named Christian Gonzalez, is in fourth grade at Valrico Elementary School in Valrico. Little Christian was transported by emergency helicopter to Tampa General Hospital, and remains in serious condition.

The vehicle involved was a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser that was northbound on Valrico Road. The driver, also a Valrico resident immediately stopped and remained at the scene.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers tips for parents regarding school bus stop safety, including statistics and information we should be teaching our kids to keep them safe while going to or returning from school.

The Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A., regularly handles pedestrian accidents and all types of child injury claims and lawsuits.

About this Law Office

James W. Dodson ,P.A., a Florida accidental death lawyer, has successfully handled personal injury cases for over 20 years in Pinellas County, Pasco County, Manatee County, and throughout Florida.