Georgia Injury Law Blog
As of August 7, public schools were back in session across all Georgia districts. For many students, back to school means riding the school bus, and parents rely on bus drivers to be safe custodians of their children. Unfortunately, accidents can occur. Since school started back in Dougherty County, there have been three accidents involving school buses, although no injuries have been reported. This was not the case in Walker County, where five children were sent to the hospital after a bus accident on September 9, 2025. In this case, the driver went off the road while navigating a curve and struck a tree. Meanwhile, earlier today a Barrow County school bus partially overturned while 34 students were inside, and six students were taken to a hospital. Given these incidents, how safe is it for students to use school-related transportation?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tracks school transportation related crashes, and puts these stories into perspective. There were 358,460 fatal motor vehicle crashes from 2015 to 2024. Of these, only .3% involved school transportation, with 1069 people killed in school bus accidents, or an average of 107 per year. Of these fatalities, 19% were school age children aged 18 or younger. By comparison, more school-aged children were killed during the same time period as pedestrians, and millions of children ride school buses safely every year. School buses are also designed with safety in mind, which distributes crash forces differently and makes it much less likely to be injured on a school bus than in a passenger car.
Of course, no parent wants their child to be part of that statistic. While some accidents are not avoidable, there are certain tips to help keep children safe while using school transportation. The most dangerous time for children using school transit is not while riding the bus, but while entering or exiting. Parents should teach their children the following rules:
- Arrive to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. There should be no risk of running after a bus.
- Have your child wait at least 10 feet away from the curb
- When entering the bus, have your child wait until the bus is completely stopped, the door is opened, and bus driver gives the OK to get on.
- If your child must cross the street in front of a bus, they should walk on a sidewalk or along the street to a spot at least 10 feet in front of the bus before crossing.
- If your child drops a book or other possession near the bus, they should tell the bus driver instead of picking up the item, which can take them out of the driver’s line of sight.
While driving, be aware of school buses, especially when they are stopped. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus when the red lights are flashing, because doing so is dangerous to children who may be entering or exiting the bus. If a bus flashes yellow lights, they are preparing to stop, and drivers should slow down rather than try to pass.
The Atlanta car accident lawyers at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to the representation of pedestrians who have suffered injuries or wrongful death in the metro Atlanta region and across the state of Georgia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a school transportation accident, talk to a lawyer at our firm, and discuss your legal options for a claim for damages. You may qualify for compensation that includes medical expenses, lost income and other forms of damages. Talk to an attorney at our firm and discuss your case. Initial consultations are free.