As summer comes to an end, roads across Ohio and Kentucky are about to get a lot busier.
School buses return to their routes. Parents are dropping children off before work. Teen drivers are heading to school. Students are walking and biking through neighborhoods. And drivers who have grown accustomed to lighter summer traffic suddenly find themselves navigating crowded school zones again.
For most families, the beginning of a new school year is exciting. Unfortunately, the increase in traffic also creates additional opportunities for serious accidents.
At Jones Kahan Law, we want parents, students, and drivers to understand some of the most common back-to-school accident risks — and what to do when someone’s negligence results in an injury.
School Zones Require Extra Attention
School zones can bring together cars, buses, bicycles, and pedestrians in a relatively small area.
Drivers may be looking for a parking space, watching traffic, checking for children, or trying to get through a congested intersection. Parents may also be rushing to complete drop-off before heading to work.
It only takes a moment of distraction for an accident to occur.
Drivers approaching a school zone should slow down, eliminate distractions, and be especially alert for children entering the roadway. Children can be difficult to see between parked vehicles and may not always recognize how quickly an approaching car is moving.
Pedestrian Accidents Are a Serious Back-to-School Concern
Many students walk at least part of the way to or from school.
That means the beginning of the school year puts more young pedestrians near busy streets, intersections, parking lots, and crosswalks.
Pedestrian accidents can occur when drivers:
- Fail to yield at a crosswalk
- Speed through a school zone
- Make turns without checking for pedestrians
- Drive while distracted
- Back out of parking spaces or driveways without looking
- Fail to stop for traffic signals or signs
Because pedestrians have virtually no protection when struck by a vehicle, even a relatively low-speed collision can cause significant injuries.
More Students on Bikes Means More Bicycle Traffic
Bicycles are another common way students travel to school, particularly in neighborhoods close to school buildings.
Drivers should remember that cyclists may be sharing the roadway or crossing at intersections.
Dooring accidents, unsafe passing, distracted driving, and failure to yield can all result in a cyclist being struck.
Parents should also remind younger riders about helmets, visibility, traffic signals, and the importance of assuming that a driver may not see them.
Teen Drivers Return to the Roads
Back-to-school season also means thousands of relatively inexperienced drivers are commuting to and from high school, practices, jobs, and other activities.
Teen drivers face many of the same distractions as adults — phones, passengers, music, navigation systems, and busy schedules — while having considerably less driving experience.
Morning and afternoon school traffic can make those distractions particularly dangerous.
Parents should encourage young drivers to put their phones away, limit distractions inside the vehicle, leave enough time to reach school without rushing, and understand that safe driving is more important than arriving a few minutes earlier.
School Bus Traffic Changes the Morning Commute
The return of school buses also changes traffic patterns.
Drivers who haven’t encountered a school bus on their regular commute for several months may suddenly find themselves sharing the road with buses making frequent stops.
Motorists should give school buses additional space, remain alert for children near bus stops, and follow applicable laws regarding stopped school buses.
Trying to save a few seconds by driving aggressively around a school bus can have devastating consequences.
What Happens When Someone Is Injured?
When a child, parent, cyclist, or other motorist is injured because another driver was negligent, the injured person may have the right to pursue compensation.
Depending on the circumstances, a personal injury claim may involve compensation for medical expenses, future medical treatment, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from the accident.
Cases involving children can present additional considerations, which makes documenting what happened especially important.
After an accident, seek appropriate medical attention, report the incident, gather photographs and witness information when possible, and preserve any available evidence.
Be cautious about providing detailed statements or accepting an insurance settlement before understanding the extent of the injuries and your legal options.
Start the School Year Safely
Back-to-school season should be about new teachers, new friends, Friday night football, and getting back into a routine — not recovering from an avoidable accident.
A little extra patience behind the wheel can make a significant difference.
Slow down in school zones. Watch carefully at crosswalks. Give cyclists room. Put the phone away. And remember that the child stepping into a crosswalk or getting off a school bus is someone’s entire world.
If you or a family member has been injured in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, Jones Kahan Law can help you understand your rights and options.
Contact Jones Kahan Law to discuss your case and learn how an experienced personal injury attorney may be able to help.
