As students return to school each fall, roadways across New York State become significantly busier. School buses are back on their routes, parents are navigating drop-off and pick-up lines, children are walking and biking to school, and traffic increases during morning and afternoon commutes.
While the start of a new school year is an exciting time, it also brings an increased risk of motor vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents. For drivers, understanding how these seasonal changes impact road safety is essential. At Losi & Gangi, we are committed to helping injured New Yorkers understand their rights when accidents occur due to another person’s negligence.
Increased Traffic Means Increased Risk
The beginning of the school year creates more congestion on local roads, particularly near schools, neighborhoods, and intersections where children are present. Drivers should expect:
- Increased vehicle traffic during school arrival and dismissal times
- More pedestrians crossing streets
- Children riding bicycles and scooters
- School buses making frequent stops
- Congested school drop-off and pick-up areas
These conditions require drivers to remain alert, reduce distractions, and exercise additional caution behind the wheel.
School Bus Safety Laws in New York
New York State has some of the nation’s strictest school bus safety laws, and for good reason. Children entering or exiting a school bus are especially vulnerable to serious injury.
Under New York law, drivers approaching a stopped school bus with its flashing red lights activated must stop, regardless of the direction they are traveling. This requirement applies on two-lane roads, multi-lane highways, and divided highways. Drivers must remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing or the bus begins moving again.
Failure to obey these laws not only puts children at risk but may also become an important factor when determining liability in a personal injury case.
Common Back-to-School Personal Injury Accidents
During the school year, Losi & Gangi recognizes several types of accidents that may become more common, including:
- Motor vehicle collisions near schools
- Pedestrian accidents involving children or crossing guards
- Bicycle and e-bike accidents
- School bus-related accidents
- Rear-end collisions caused by congested traffic
- Distracted driving accidents in school zones
Many of these accidents may be preventable when drivers obey New York traffic laws, remain attentive, and adjust their driving to changing road conditions.
Understanding Negligence in New York Personal Injury Cases
If an accident is caused by another party’s negligence, injured individuals may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim under New York law.
Negligence may include behaviors such as:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding in school zones
- Failing to yield to pedestrians
- Passing a stopped school bus
- Failing to obey traffic signals or signs
Under New York’s comparative negligence law, an injured person may still be able to recover compensation even if they were partially at fault for the accident. However, any recovery may be reduced based on their percentage of fault.
Compensation Available After a Personal Injury Accident
Depending on the circumstances, individuals injured in a back-to-school traffic accident may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Rehabilitation costs
- Other accident-related damages
Every case is unique, and establishing liability requires a careful review of the facts. Evidence such as police reports, witness statements, photographs, surveillance footage, and accident scene documentation may all play an important role in a personal injury claim.
Helping Keep New York Communities Safe
The return to school is an important reminder that every driver shares the responsibility of keeping children, families, and fellow motorists safe. Slowing down in school zones, remaining alert around pedestrians, following school bus safety laws, and eliminating distractions can help prevent serious accidents.
How Losi & Gangi Can Help
At Losi & Gangi, we are proud to represent injured New Yorkers in personal injury matters throughout New York State. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, pedestrian accident, bicycle accident, or school bus-related incident caused by another person’s negligence, our experienced attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and options.
Contact Losi & Gangi today to learn more about how we can help.
