School zones are intended to be safe areas where children can cross the street without fear of being hit by a vehicle. Sadly, reckless and negligent drivers can turn your morning routine of dropping your child off at school into a nightmare. Each year, many young pedestrians are injured or killed due to driver negligence.
At Cellino Law, we understand the devastating outcome these accidents have on children and their families. Our personal injury lawyers are committed to helping victims seek justice and compensation for their injuries.
Was your child injured in a school zone? If so, contact our law firm today to schedule a free case review. Knowing your legal rights is the first step toward holding responsible parties accountable.
The Legal Definition of a School Zone
School zones are designated areas around schools that are subject to specific traffic laws and regulations designed to enhance the safety of students.
The exact legal definition varies slightly depending on your state, but generally, a school zone includes:
- A marked area adjacent to a school or crosswalk used by children
- Specific hours of operation, usually during arrival and dismissal times (7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- Reduced speed limits, which are often between 15 and 25 mph and clearly posted on signs
- Enhanced penalties for traffic violations, such as speeding or distracted driving
School Zones Are Designed to Protect Children and Other Pedestrians
The main purpose of designated school zones is to protect children and other pedestrians in high-traffic areas near schools.
Here is why these zones are critical:
- Children are vulnerable: Children are smaller, less visible, and less predictable than adult pedestrians. They may suddenly dart into the street or misjudge traffic patterns, increasing the risk of being struck.
- High pedestrian volume: Morning drop-offs and afternoon pickups create heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The concentrated activity increases the likelihood of accidents if drivers are not extra cautious.
- Behavioral considerations: Children may not always obey pedestrian signals or look both ways before crossing. School zones are designed to slow drivers down and heighten awareness of the potential for erratic or unexpected pedestrian behavior.
- Enforce accountability: School zones are legally regulated to hold negligent drivers more accountable. Violations that occur in these areas often result in higher fines and more severe consequences.
Common Causes of Accidents in School Zones
Tragically, a recent report showed that 104 people had died in school transportation-related accidents during just 1 year. Many of these accidents occurred in or around school zones. Despite reduced speed limits and warning signs, drivers often fail to obey traffic rules.
The following are some of the leading causes of pedestrian injuries in school zones.
Speeding in designated school zones
Most schools have reduced speed limits—typically 15 to 25 mph during specific hours. However, many drivers ignore these limits, especially if they are running late for work or school drop-off.
Distracted driving
A split-second distraction like texting, eating, or adjusting the radio can result in a catastrophic accident. Children don’t often pay attention to their environment and may dart out between parked cars or cross without a signal, but a distracted driver is far less likely to avoid a collision in time.
Failure to yield at crosswalks
Many school zones are equipped with crosswalks specifically designed for student use. Unfortunately, not all drivers yield to pedestrians at these marked crossings, even though it is a legal requirement to do so.
Children may also assume that vehicles will stop for them, which can lead to tragic misunderstandings.
Poor visibility
Early mornings and late afternoons are common times for school arrivals and dismissals. These times can create visibility challenges due to glare or dim lighting.
Other factors that contribute to poor visibility and make it harder to view young pedestrians include:
- Inadequate street lighting
- Parked cars that block your line of sight
- Inclement weather, such as heavy rain or fog
Improper or illegal parking
Parents or caregivers dropping off and picking up children often park illegally or double-park near school entrances. This creates chaos in the immediate area and can obstruct the view of pedestrians and other drivers. Children weaving between parked vehicles are especially vulnerable.
Lack of supervision or crossing guards
While many schools provide crossing guards, not all areas are adequately staffed. Without adult supervision, younger children may cross roads impulsively or at unsafe locations. The absence of proper crossing assistance increases the risk of pedestrian accidents.
Inattentive pedestrians
Children, particularly younger ones, may not fully understand traffic rules. They may be distracted by friends, phones, or other factors, and may not look both ways before crossing. This underscores the importance of driver vigilance in school zones.
Who Is Liable in a School Zone Accident?
In any personal injury claim, liability hinges on negligence, which is a failure to exercise reasonable care. The following are some of the most common parties who may be held liable in school zone pedestrian accidents.
Negligent drivers
The most common liable party is the motorist. Drivers can be held liable if they fail to:
- Obey posted speed limits
- Yield to pedestrians
- Stop for a school bus
- Avoid distracted or impaired driving
The local government or municipality
In some cases, the city, county, or school district may share liability if unsafe road conditions contributed to the accident.
This can include:
- Poorly marked crosswalks
- Malfunctioning traffic signals
- Lack of adequate or school zone indicators
- Inadequate crossing guards or supervision
The school or school district
If liability occurred on school grounds or was related to school-sponsored transportation, the school may be liable.
Liability could stem from:
- Failing to supervise children properly during drop-off or pickup
- Negligent hiring or training of crossing guards or staff
- Unsafe bus loading or unloading procedures
Third-party drivers
Sometimes, a third party may inadvertently contribute to the accident. For example, a delivery truck is blocking visibility of a crosswalk.
In such cases, comparative or contributory negligence laws may apply, depending on the state.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help After a School Zone Accident
Has your child been harmed by a vehicle in a school zone? Our compassionate personal injury lawyers can be vital allies in helping your family pursue justice and compensation.
Consider some benefits of having a school zone accident lawyer on your side:
- Thorough investigation of the accident: A lawyer will launch an independent investigation to uncover what truly happened. This could include obtaining police reports, witness statements, consulting accident reconstruction experts, and securing dash cam footage.
- Determining liability: It is essential to establish liability to pursue compensation and hold all negligent parties accountable. Your lawyer will identify all potential sources of liability.
- Handling insurance companies: Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, delay claims, or deny them outright. A lawyer can handle all communications with insurers to ensure your rights are protected.
- Calculating full compensation: Personal injury attorneys don’t just look at immediate medical costs; they assess the full impact of the injury. This includes future medical treatments, emotional distress, loss of quality of life, and more.
Let Us Advocate for You and Your Family’s Legal Rights
If your child has been injured in a school zone pedestrian accident, our experienced legal team is here to help. We know that you may be facing emotional and financial challenges, and our hearts go out to you.
Our personal injury lawyers are committed to fighting for the justice and the compensation your family deserves. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us help you take the first step toward recovery.