It’s back-to-school time and children across Illinois are riding school buses, bicycles, walking, and being dropped off before the bell rings.  It’s never more important for drivers to slow down and pay closer attention to their driving before and after school.

As an attorney and father, every day I am personally involved in fighting for those who are injured as a result of the negligence of others.  Injuries suffered by children, victimized in accidents while going to and coming from their school can be severe, are emotionally and psychologically draining, physically life-changing, and sometimes fatal.  It’s heartbreaking!

Below are three areas where, with greater attention and focus, we can better share the road with our school children, and keep them safer this school year. 

1)   Sharing the Road with Young Pedestrians.

The National Traffic Safety Council reports that most children who lose their lives in school transportation-related accidents are hit by a school bus or by a motorist illegally driving past a stopped school bus.  Some common-sense steps will limit these tragedies:

• Don’t block crosswalks when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn.  Blocking crosswalks forces pedestrians to go around your vehicle and outside the safety of the crosswalk.

• When in a school zone where flashers are blinking, reduce speed, yield to pedestrians, and proceed with great caution.

• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

1)   Sharing the Road with School Busses.

When behind a school bus, allow greater distance for stopping.  Don’t just wait for the lights to begin flashing.  Some common-sense steps to limit tragedies are:

• Be extra alert for distracted children pushing, shoving, and running to catch the bus.  Children act like children.

• Never pass a bus, from either direction, when it is stopped to load or unload children regardless of whether the lights are flashing or the “Stop” arm is extended.

• The area 10-feet around the school bus is the most dangerous for children.  Stop far enough back to allow them space. 

2)   Sharing the Road with Bicyclists.

Children riding bikes create special problems for drivers because they usually don’t properly evaluate traffic conditions and traffic flow.  Common-sense steps to limit tragedies are:

• When passing a bicyclist going in the same direction, drive slowly and leave at least 3-feet between you and them.

• When turning left and a biker is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass.

• When turning right and a biker is approaching from behind, wait for the rider to pass. 

• Be extra vigilant for bikers coming from driveways or between parked cars.

By exercising extra care and caution, drivers, school children, and parents can safely co-exist in school zones.   

Chicagoland School Accident Attorneys.  We Help Victims.

If your child is injured in an accident when going to or returning from school as a result of someone’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation for your child’s injuries.    

The Attorneys at Friend, Levinson & Turner are knowledgeable and expert in representing those who harmed by the negligence or carelessness of others.  Claims for victims of tragedies in school zones and while children are traveling to school are complex and frequently multi-dimensional. 

Insurance companies rely on professional adjusters to negotiate and fight accident claims.    In order to deal with these professionals, you need a skilled attorney to protect your rights.   We know your rights and the applicable laws.  We are your advocates.   We are experts at negotiating with powerful insurance companies.    50-years of experience counts.

The Attorneys at Friend, Levinson & Turner make the legal process as stress-free as possible.  We focus on recovering compensation for you – while you, your child, and your family concentrate on physical and emotional recovery.   

If you or a loved one is injured in a victim of the negligence of others, please call my office at 312-346-8465 or contact us using the form below.