Sending your child off to school shouldn’t come with the stress and anxiety of an accident, but this is what can happen after they board a Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) bus. What’s worse, even a school bus–which is built and designed with the purpose of keeping your child safe–accidents can leave your child hurt. This is especially true when other drivers don’t do what they’re supposed to do.
According to a story from WLKY, 10 Waggener High School students were injured in an accident on the morning of Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) deputies were called to the scene of the accident around 8:00 a.m. at the intersection of Baxter Avenue, East Jefferson Street and East Chestnut Street. Once they arrived, they found that both the bus and a car were damaged.
An initial investigation found that the driver of the car failed to yield to the bus, which had the right of way and they collided. 10 of the 23 students on the bus suffered minor injuries, but were transported to Norton Children’s Hospital. The driver in the car was also injured and taken to the hospital, and the bus driver was unhurt in the collision.
Can I File an Injury Claim For My Child in Louisville?
Even if you’re not directly involved in the accident, you still have the legal right to file a claim on behalf of your child in Louisville. So, when they’re hurt in an accident where someone else’s negligence caused their injuries–like in the story above–you can file a claim and recover damages associated with their losses. At that point, it’s like any other accident, where you would either file:
- An insurance claim or lawsuit against the person responsible for the accident.
Once the claim is filed, you can potentially recover things like:
- Medical expenses covering their hospital visits, treatments, and any necessary surgeries.
- Expenses for your child’s physical therapy, counseling, or other ongoing care.
- Pain and suffering for your child’s physical pain and mental anguish from the accident. You can also recover costs related to the emotional distress your child has experienced.
- If the injury affects your child’s ability to enjoy daily activities or participate in sports and hobbies, you can get damages for this loss of their quality of life.
Filing a claim after a school bus accident can be overwhelming. Beyond handling medical care and expenses for your child, you might also need to determine who is responsible for the accident. Outside of another driver, it could also involve the bus driver, the school district, a third-party transportation company, or the bus manufacturer.
Contact Kaufman & Stigger If Your Child is Injured in a Louisville School Bus Accident
No parent ever wants to face the reality of a school bus accident, but if it happens, taking the right steps can help you build a strong claim for your child’s injuries. Our team of Louisville school bus accident lawyers will be there to help by:
- Investigating the accident to determine what happened
- Identifying who is responsible for your child’s injuries
- Collecting medical records and other key evidence to support your claim
- Handling negotiations with insurance companies and attorneys
- Making the process as smooth as possible so you can focus on your child’s recovery
School bus accidents in Louisville can leave you and your child dealing with unexpected medical bills, stress, and uncertainty. If your child has been hurt, understanding your legal options is the first step toward getting the financial support your child needs to heal. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started.