School bus drivers are responsible for the safety and well-being of all children traveling on their buses.

However, in the event of an accident or other unanticipated incident, there are certain precautions drivers should take to protect themselves and the students they are transporting.

When an accident happens, it’s essential to follow specific protocols to ensure the students, staff, and other motorists remain safe and secure. Here, you can learn everything you should know as a school bus driver when an accident occurs.

Accident vs. incident

Before taking any action, school bus drivers must determine whether the event is an accident or an incident.

How to classify an event as an accident or incident depends on the severity and type of situation. 

An incident could be anything from a minor fender-bender to a major collision. On the other hand, an accident is usually more serious and involves injury or death.

In both instances, the driver should take all necessary steps to ensure that everyone involved remains safe and secure. 

In the case of an accident, the driver should move the bus to a safe location, inspect for damage, as well as document any other conditions that may have contributed to the incident. There are several steps the driver should take when an accident occurs. 

Drive safely

Of course, the most important thing a school bus driver can do to prevent an accident is to drive safely, follow all speed limits, obey traffic laws, and remain alert at all times.

First of all, when an accident occurs, a driver must ensure that all passengers remain in their seats and are calm. Then he should drive safely to the nearest safe place, such as a police station or an open parking lot.

Secure students and bus

The first priority after an accident should be securing students and the bus itself. Immediately inspecting the bus will tell you whether there is any damage or hazards that may pose a risk to passengers.

If anyone is injured, make sure to call an ambulance and provide appropriate medical attention to the injured person(s).

Be sure to have all students remain seated until further assistance arrives. In addition, you should lock all doors and windows to help keep passengers safe.

Reassure the students

An accident can be a traumatic experience for all involved. For that very reason, the driver has to remain calm and reassure the students that everything will be ok.

Be sure to explain the situation in simple terms that the students can understand, such as what happened and why they must remain where they are until help arrives. Provide comfort and support by asking how they are feeling or if there's anything they need.

Apply first aid, if necessary

If there are any injuries, the driver should assess the situation and apply first aid, where appropriate.

While taking all these steps, you should be very calm and collected. That will help reassure the students, but it will also give you an opportunity to do everything properly until the help arrives. If passengers need additional medical assistance, contact emergency services immediately.

However, if you decide to administer first aid, make sure you are qualified and knowledgeable about the situation.

Check for witnesses

Getiing as much information about the accident as possible is another important step to take. Collect contact information from any witnesses on the scene and don’t forget to exchange insurance information with any other drivers involved in the accident.

Make sure to talk to the responding police officer in order to have an accurate record of what happened.

Notify school officials

Once the bus and students are secure, the driver should contact their supervisor and notify them about the accident. Make sure to provide any details that may help explain how or why the accident occurred.

Sometimes, the driver is not able to finish their route. When this is the case, the first step to take is to call a colleague. Another driver should be sent out to pick up the students and complete the route.

Documentation

It is critical to document all aspects of the accident, including details such as time, location, weather conditions, photos of the scene, police reports, and any additional information that could help explain what happened.

Make sure to keep copies of all paperwork related to the accident for your records. All of this will help in the future.

Protect the scene properly

The scene of the accident should be preserved until assistance arrives. Make sure to have plenty of reflective warning signs and cones in place to alert oncoming traffic. Do not allow anyone to move their vehicle or any debris from the accident until authorities arrive.

There is one particularly important piece of advice - avoid discussing fault or liability with anyone at the scene of the accident.

Call for assistance

When an accident occurs, the driver must contact their supervisor or other appropriate personnel immediately to report the incident. This is especially important if any injuries are involved. 

Not juste the supervisor, but the school district should also be notified of any damages to the bus or injuries sustained by students or staff.

Providing medical attention injured passengers and making sure that all legal requirements are met should always be first on the priority list. If you cannot so all that on your own, make sure to call for help. 

Do not release the students

Once the scene is secure and assistance has arrived, the driver should ensure that all passengers remain in the bus until released by an authorized school official.

It’s your responsibility to make sure that no one leaves with unauthorized persons or without being properly checked out by school staff.

Of course, in some cases evacuation is necessary. When that happens, make sure that all passengers are safely evacuated and accounted for.

Hire a professional

If the accident is serious enough, it may be necessary for the driver to consult with a legal professional or insurance provider.

Depending on where the accident happened and the circumstances involved, it’s always good to speak with a knowledgeable individual who can provide guidance and advice. Local law enforcement may also be able to provide assistance in these cases.

For instance, the accident might have happened in New York. In that case, the driver should check out law offices in NYC for bus accident as they are knowledgable and experienced in specific state laws.

File an accident report

Once the situation is under control, it’s still no time for the driver to relax. Now, you must file a complete and accurate report of the incident. This should include details about what happened, who was involved, and any witnesses or damages sustained.

This report should be filed with the school district and a copy kept for your records.

Follow up

Once all immediate needs have been taken care of, don’t forget to follow up with any passengers that may have been injured or traumatized by the accident. 

A responsible driver should check in on them periodically and make sure they are doing alright.

Take safety precautions

Finally, the driver should take steps to prevent similar accidents in the future. For instance, you might look up some additional safety trainings and procedures or start implementing new technologies or equipment on the bus.

Regardless of what measures are taken, the drivers should be vigilant and pay attention to their surroundings at all times.

Conclusion

Although accidents are never an ideal situation, it is essential to minimize any potential risk and ensure that all involved remain safe.

By following these steps, drivers can help ensure that all accidents involving school buses are handled with the utmost attention and care. Even if an accident happens, you can still be a responsible driver and take care of your passengers properly.