New Jersey Parents Sue After High School Student Struck in Bus Stop Hit-and-Run

High school students in New Jersey are particularly vulnerable to traffic accidents for various reasons. First, they are more likely to take public transit, making them vulnerable as pedestrians and bus passengers. Teens also tend to walk in areas where other teens are driving, and these teenagers can be extremely reckless behind the wheel. A recent hit-and-run at a New Jersey bus stop highlights these issues, and it caused a teen to lose her life. The parents are now suing various parties they believe contributed to the incident. Could you take similar action after a hit-and-run in New Jersey?

Parents Sue School Board After Cheerleader Struck at Bus Stop

In October of 2024, various sources reported on an injury lawsuit filed by two parents in New Jersey. These plaintiffs have a daughter who is now wheelchair-bound after a hit-and-run collision earlier in 2024, and they say the school board is to blame. In February of 2024, the victim was exiting a bus in South Jersey after participating in a cheerleading competition. She had barely touched the ground when she was struck by a reckless driver who subsequently fled the scene.

At the time, the victim was an 18-year-old senior at a high school in Newark. At 19 years of age, she is still recovering from serious injuries – including a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and lost teeth. After the accident, she fell into a coma. Although she eventually regained consciousness, she had to re-learn how to eat, dress, and speak due to her brain injury. She is also confined to a wheelchair, and it is unclear whether this will be a permanent reality for the teenager.

The parents allege that the school board was partially responsible for the collision. They argue that the bus driver failed to extend the “stop arm” or activate the flashing lights. The implication is that if these safety measures had been activated, the approaching motorist may have slowed down.

The motorist was eventually apprehended and charged with various offenses – including leaving the scene of a crash with an injury, endangering an injured victim, and third-degree hindering. Finally, the motorist was charged with fourth-degree by auto and making a false report to law enforcement. While it is encouraging to see justice served in this way, no amount of incarceration will turn back time and restore this teen’s health. Her mother claims that she is still unable to speak.

The family’s lawyers claim that they have obtained video evidence that substantiates their allegations. They also stated that they attempted to settle this claim outside of court, but the negotiations failed with no viable settlement offers. This implies the case could be settled during a trial.

This is not the only recent example of a lawsuit filed by New Jersey parents. At around the same time, another set of parents sued a different district after their daughter suffered head injuries. Unlike the previous plaintiff, however, these head injuries were caused by bullies instead of a vehicle.

What are My Legal Options After a Hit-and-Run in New Jersey?

After a hit-and-run in New Jersey, it might seem like you have few legal options. After all, you may be unsure of how to proceed if you cannot even locate the driver responsible for your injuries. It is important to remember that there is always hope for positive results, even if your options seem slim. An experienced injury attorney in New Jersey may be able to help you assess legal options that you had not previously considered.

The hit-and-run case involving the high school student provides an obvious example. In this case, the motorist who struck the teen may seem like the obvious defendant to sue. However, the parents appear to have targeted the school board inside – and for obvious reasons. The school board is capable of paying much more compensation than an average driver – and there seems to be clear evidence that it contributed to the accident.

Can an Auto Accident Lawyer in New Jersey Help After a Hit-and-Run?

In the immediate aftermath of a hit-and-run in New Jersey, the first priority should be prompt medical attention. Families should closely follow the directions of their doctors while following up with specialists if necessary. Unfortunately, many hit-and-runs prove fatal – and no amount of medical treatment can save victims. In situations like these, parents and other family members may decide to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Although this course of action may be challenging if the negligent driver escaped, you may have various legal options. To discuss these options, consider a consultation with Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. today.