Alejandro Figueroa | June 28, 2021 | Florida Law
Drivers must stop for a school bus with its STOP arm out or its red lights on in most situations. Stopping for a school bus protects children from being injured while boarding and getting off the bus. It also reduces the risk of traffic accidents involving school buses.
Drivers must understand the rules for stopping for a school bus in Florida. They can receive a traffic ticket for disobeying the law. Worst case scenario, drivers can cause a bus accident if they fail to stop for a school bus.
What Are the Florida Laws for Stopping for School Buses?
Florida Statute §316.172 requires drivers to stop when approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing or its STOP arm extended. This law applies when approaching a school bus in either direction on a two-lane road.
You cannot pass the school bus or continue traveling in the direction of traffic until the school bus withdraws its STOP arm and turns off its red flashing lights. However, there are some exceptions to this rule for divided highways and multi-lane roads.
If a school bus stops on a multi-lane road with a paved median, drivers traveling in both directions in all lanes must stop for the bus. However, if the space between the lanes is unpaved or has a raised barrier, drivers traveling in the opposite direction of the school bus do not need to stop.
Although you might not need to stop for a school bus on a multi-lane divided road, you should still slow down and be on the lookout for children. Children can dart across the road suddenly. Reducing your speed allows you to stop to avoid an accident.
Criminal Penalties for Passing a Stopped School Bus in Florida
The fines for passing a stopped school bus can be expensive—up to $200. A second offense within five years results in a suspended driver’s license.
The fine doubles to $400 if you pass a stopped school bus on the same side as children enter or exit the bus. The state suspends your driver’s license for up to two years for this offense.
Injuries Sustained in School Bus Accidents
Children may be injured if a driver passes a stopped school bus and hits a child. However, children may also be injured if a driver rear-ends the school bus, collides with the side of a school bus, or causes a head-on collision.
Children may also be injured while boarding or entering a school bus. For example, they may fall climbing the steps or may trip on their way to a seat.
School bus accident injuries may include:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Strains and sprains
- Broken bones and fractures
- Cuts and lacerations
- Brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Wrongful death
Children injured on a school bus deserve to be compensated for their injuries and damages, including the pain and suffering they experience. A permanent impairment could reduce a child’s future earning capacity. In addition, some childhood injuries can result in developmental delays, including cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments.
Talk with a lawyer before settling a bus accident injury claim for your child. An attorney can assess the child’s damages to ensure the child receives a fair amount. In cases involving permanent impairments, it is important to include compensation for future damages.
Who is Liable for School Bus Accidents?
One or more parties may be liable for the damages caused by a school bus accident, including:
- School bus drivers
- Other motorists
- School districts
- Owner of the school bus
- School bus maintenance companies
- Companies or private schools that operate school buses
- Road construction companies or municipal crews
- Pedestrians and bicyclists
- Bus manufacturers
- Repair shops and mechanics
Most school bus accidents are caused by negligence or intentional wrongdoing. Speeding, distracted driving, and drunk driving are common factors in traffic accidents. Bus drivers require special training. Therefore, a lack of training can contribute to the cause of a bus accident.
Videos from cameras on school buses can provide key evidence that assists in proving fault. Eyewitness testimony and traffic cameras are other sources of evidence in school bus accidents.
A personal injury lawyer gathers all evidence to identify the parties who may be responsible for causing your child’s injury. Then, the attorney uses the evidence to fight for justice for your child.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Tampa, FL
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Tampa, FL, and need legal help, contact our Tampa personal injury lawyers at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers
Bank of America Plaza
101 E Kennedy Blvd #2400
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 222-8656
We also provide legal assistance throughout the Tampa Bay Area including Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Bradenton.
