Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Stephanie F. Brown, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Most school buses are readily definable. They are yellow with big bold letters – SCHOOL BUS. Despite the bright color and large lettering, many drivers still tend to ignore school buses when they stop and zip by them. In Cobb County, Georgia, the school district has installed cameras on school buses. If you zip by a school bus in Cobb County and violate traffic laws, you could get caught and could be fined. The fact that you could get a big fine is a deterrent. A bigger deterrent to drivers should be the fact that violating traffic laws near school buses puts children at risk in Cobb County, Georgia and other parts of the United States. Slow down and stop when required near school buses. Tragically, children die every year at school bus stops and crossings every year. Taking a few extra seconds or minutes to get to where you are going can help save a child from serious personal injuries and death. You can read more about the cameras installed on Cobb County, Georgia School Buses at Pass a Georgia School Bus? A Camera May Catch You.
In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a mother has been charged with DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and Child Endangerment regarding an automobile accident. Slettie Yvonne Heard, age 25, was transporting 6 children in her vehicle at the time of the Oklahoma automobile accident. Ms. Heard will be entitled to a criminal defense lawyer or the services of a public defender regarding these charges.
In Lakeville, Minnesota, an 11 year old was admitted to a Hennepin County Medical Center for severe head injuries following a Minnesota bicycle accident. The accident was reported by the
In Florala, Alabama, an 8 year old elementary school student was killed when she was hit by her own school bus. The child exited the bus and then walked in front of the bus. According to Florala Police Chief Sonny Bedsole, it appeared that the school bus driver did not observe that the child got off the bus because the child may have exited off at the wrong stop or the wrong time. See 
In Kansas and other states, some drivers especially young ones in sports cars or little sports cars believe it is great fun and a challenge to race other drivers. The thrill of speed and the chase take priority over the safety of others including innocent pedestrians and children. In Wichita, Kansas, one such drag racing incident ended the life of Robert Ryder – age 25 – who was pronounced dead at the scene. His cousin was reported to have serious personal injuries resulting in a hospitalization. You can read more about this story at 
In 2007, six year old Haven Brooke McCarthy was getting out of her Lincoln County, West Virginia school bus when she was hit and killed by a vehicle illegally passing her school bus. At the time, the driver’s offense was considered a misdemeanor. Since Haven’s death, her family has been working with lawmakers to toughen up the penalties for breaking school bus safety laws.