Kreindler & Kreindler LLP partner Noah H. Kushlefsky was asked by New York media outlets to comment on the tragic school bus accident that claimed the life of 8-year old Amber Sadiq in Brooklyn, N.Y. Mr. Kushlefsky successfully litigated a similar case in the Bronx a few years ago which claimed the life of a nine year old Bronx boy. That case resulted in a $7.5 million settlement.
Mr. Kushlefsky explained that the school bus design does not allow for the bus to be locked from the outside and does not have a "park" gear in the transmission. When parked, the bus can only be left in neutral and is held in place by nothing more than a simple parking brake, which is easily disengaged. The school buses cannot be safely parked on the street and left unattended. Over the past 12 years, there have been at least 12 reported incidents where unattended school buses rolled away. It is inexcusable to have two young lives lost in the same negligent manner.
