--- description: Washington, DC lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. provide information about school bus safety, the responsibilities of motorists, and the rights of victims. Call for a free consultation. title: School Bus Safety in DC | Washington, DC Auto Accident Attorney --- School Bus Safety in DC | Washington, DC Auto Accident Attorney # School Bus Safety: Recent Accidents Show Need for Understanding the Law and Rights of Victims Last Updated: November 19, 2025 Reading Time: 4 minutes Trusted Content Legally Reviewed by Allan Siegel Updated 7 months ago [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Recent Posts](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/) » School Bus Safety: Recent Accidents Show Need for Understanding the Law and Rights of Victims What's On This Page [Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/) $1.1 Million Bus Crash $500,000 Bus Crash [View All Practice Areas](https://chaikinandsherman.com/practice-areas/) [Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) They were very prompt, personable, and professional, and worked meticulously to get us the best possible settlement Trevor Beard Bus Crash The lawyers and all the staff at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel treat you with respect and kindness. Addisalem Teklemariam and Tiblez Beyene Bus Accidents, Bus Crash Contact Us Today! "*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Name* Last Email** Phone*Are you a new client?*Are you a new client? *Yes, I'm a potential new client.No, I'm a current existing client.I'm neitherCase TypeCase TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOtherWere You at Fault?Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknownWhere Did The Incident Occur?Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOtherDid The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNoShare Brief Description of the Incident* ABC7 I-Team investigator Joce Sterman reports on the $4.5 million jury verdict attorney Joseph Cammarata secured for Sherry Galloway, a pedestrian struck by an Alexandria transit bus in a crosswalk. The I-Team investigation uncovered that the driver had four preventable accidents in eighteen months and was still permitted to operate the bus. Video Transcript **Speakers:** Joce Sterman, ABC7 Investigator & Joseph Cammarata **Joce Sterman, ABC7 Investigator (00:00):** First at six bus drivers still on the road, despite multiple crashes while behind the wheel. ABC Seven’s, I-Team uncovered one driver’s record after she hit a woman with a bus seven on your side. Investigator Josie Sterman joins us. What she’s found out? Josie. **Joce Sterman (00:15):** Well, Maureen, on the day that Dash driver had an accident in training, we got her report card and she still got mostly perfect marks from trainers at Alexandria Transit. This accident though, didn’t even count because it was in training still. The driver had three more preventable accidents in the year after that, but was still allowed to drive. And the I-Team discovered that’s standard operating procedure. What is she? An exclusive video obtained by the seven on your side. I-Team bus driver Bel Wonell. Darcy appears frantic in the seconds after hitting a woman in the crosswalk, pinning her under the bus for more than a minute. **Joseph Cammarata (00:50):** It’s stunning. It’s horrifying, it’s breathtaking. **Joce Sterman (00:52):** And DC attorney Joseph Camarata says, Alexandria Transit, the company operating that bus was negligent. He represents Sherry Galloway. The woman hit by the bus back in 2014 and recently awarded a $4.5 million judgment. **Joseph Cammarata (01:07):** The jury recognized that this was an unfit, unsafe driver that should not have been put behind the wheel. **Joce Sterman (01:14):** The I-Team has learned. Darcy, the driver, had a series of accidents leading up to the crash where Galloway was severely hurt an incident caught on video from inside the bus. Oh my God. Discipline records. We obtained show four other preventable accidents in a year and a half, including one in training, **Joseph Cammarata (01:32):** One after the other. They just excused her behavior and put her back behind the wheel and now we have a more significant tragedy. **Joce Sterman (01:40):** But the I-Team found it is consistent with Alexandria transit policy. Trainers expressed concern about Darcy’s driving, saying in records they were scared for themselves. She was even given written warnings and a suspension. But policy manuals we obtained show bus drivers can log as many as four preventable wrecks before being dismissed. Is there a need for changes? **Joseph Cammarata (02:01):** Well, there’s a need for more vigilance. There’s a public trust that’s involved, and in this case, the public trust was broken. **Joce Sterman (02:09):** Alexandria Transit told us it strives to provide safe and reliable bus service and that it will continue to use the industry’s best safety practices. So the possibility of accidents with pedestrians or other vehicles is minimized. They did not, however, answer our specific questions about how many drivers have been put back behind the wheel following accidents. But we are going to follow up. We’re also going to be watching an appeal that is scheduled for later on this month. Josie Sterman, ABC seven News. Over the past several weeks, a string of school bus accidents across the country generated widespread attention and a renewed focus on the importance of abiding by school bus safety laws. These include several fatal and serious injury accidents involving stopped school buses in multiple states, including: - A North Carolina woman now facing criminal charges after she struck a school bus that departed from the roadway and overturned, injuring 13 students. She had crossed the center divider and was traveling in the opposite lane at the time of the crash, and has been charged with driving under the influence. - A fatal wreck in Indiana where a 9-year-old girl and her younger twin brothers were struck and killed by a motorist who sped past a stopped school bus. The driver has been arrested and is facing criminal charged in connection to the incident. - The death of an elementary school student in Mississippi who was crossing the road to board a stopped school bus. The driver, who had unlawfully passed the stopped school bus, has also been arrested. That same day, a 5-year-old Florida boy was seriously injured when he was struck by a teen driver who had failed to stop behind a school bus. - A 7-year-old student who had been struck by a slow-moving vehicle in Pennsylvania, and another incident involving five children and two adults in Florida who sustained life-threatening injuries near a stopped school bus on the very same day. These incidents are nothing short of tragedies, and they are unfortunately not new. However, their devastating toll and the fact that they all occurred within the span of just three days were factors that triggered national attention – from widespread media coverage to a Whitehouse petition, which has gained thousands of signatures from people across the country asking lawmakers to sign legislation that would increase penalties for moving violations involving school buses and school zones. If there is any silver living to such tragic outcomes, it is that the increased awareness they generate can serve as a reminder about the need to ensure school bus safety, compel motorists to do their part in keeping students safe, and hopefully spark needed changes. ### School Bus Laws in DC, Maryland, and Virginia Because children are so vulnerable to suffering harm in preventable auto accidents, there are specific laws that outline the obligations of motorists in school zones and near school buses. These include: - **Stopped school buses** – All 50 states and the District of Columbia make it illegal to pass a stopped school bus that is loading or unloading children, and / or which has its stop arm extended and red lights flashing. Drivers must make a complete stop, and may not proceed until the stop arm is retracted and the bus’s lights stop flashing. - **Stopping distance** – The 10 feet surrounding school buses are the most dangerous for students, which is why drivers are required to stop a certain distance from buses. In Maryland, that distance is 20 feet, and in the District it is 15 feet. - **Legal exception** – The only time motorists are permitted to pass a school bus is when they are driving on the opposite side of a road *and *the road is divided by a physical barrier, such as a concrete middle divider. When in doubt about the law and whether you should stop, always err on the side of caution and stop. - **Penalties** – Drivers face stiff penalties for violating school bus laws. For example, failing to stop for a stopped school bus can result in citations, points on a driver’s license, and fines up to $500 or more, as well as increased penalties for subsequent violations. In some cases, such as failing to stop behind a school bus in Virginia, drivers may face charges for reckless driving. Violating school bus laws and causing accidents and / or injuries may also result in more serious misdemeanor or felony charges. - **School zones** – Drivers who approach school zones should be aware of reduced speed limits. In the DC area, for example, the speed limit in school zones when children are present and school is in session is 15 mph. Fines in school zones can be elevated, and motorists who commit moving violations in those zones may face additional points on their driver’s license, costlier fines, and, in some cases, a driver’s license suspension. ### Safety Tips for Parents and Children - Children should know that getting on and off the bus can be dangerous, and should understand the importance of being safe and behaving accordingly when doing so. - Children should be sure to step out of the “danger zone” when getting off school buses by taking several big steps away from the bus until they can see the driver and know that the driver sees them. - Before crossing the street when getting on or off a school bus, children should only cross in front of buses when they get the signal from the driver. They should also be extra cautious of their surroundings, look both ways, and make eye contact with any nearby motorists before they enter the roadway. - Children should know to never bend down near or under the bus, as it can make them more difficult to be seen by bus drivers and other motorists. They should also never turn back in roadways if they forget any personal items, or look for lost items under a bus. ### Negligent Motorists & Victims’ Rights As a law firm focused on protecting the rights of victims and families following preventable injuries, Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. knows that negligent motorists can put everyone at risk of suffering harm, even when they follow the rules and make safety a priority. Whether they are an adult or a child, victims injured near school buses, at intersections, and in any car, [bicycle](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bicycle-accidents/), or [pedestrian accident](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/pedestrian-accidents/) involving a negligent motorist – including those who fail to stop at school buses – may have the right to pursue the justice and compensation they deserve through the personal injury claim process. Even when motorists are held accountable by law enforcement when they receive citations or are charged with more serious crimes, including reckless driving or driving under the influence ([DUI](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/drunk-driving-accidents/)), those traffic and criminal cases do no provide victims with any meaningful recovery of their damages. To recover those damages, which can include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, victims will need to pursue civil claims and lawsuits. Our team at https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/iStock-912151500-scaled-1.jpg has been serving the DC region for over 45 years, and has extensive experience with cases involving child injuries, negligent motorists, and [auto accidents](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/). If you believe you might have a potential case involving a [school bus accident](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bus-accidents/) or any other preventable accident, we’re available to help you take a closer look, better understand your rights when it comes to seeking financial recoveries, and how we can help. Contact us to request a free and confidential consultation. Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. Speak to a Specialist Visit Us in Person 1232 17th St NW Washington, DC 20036 The bus accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. — led by Partner Allan M. Siegel, past Chair of the AAJ Bus Litigation Group — represent injured passengers across the Washington, D.C. metro area, including [Alexandria bus accident claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/bus-accidents/alexandria-bus-accident-lawyer/) in Virginia and related transit matters such as [D.C. Metro accident cases](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/train-accidents/washington-dc-metro-accident-lawyer/), with Maryland coverage extending through our [Montgomery County personal injury practice](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/personal-injury-lawyers-in-montgomery-county-md/). Top 10 Mistakes Made After an Accident Review these common auto accident mistakes to protect your rights. READ OUR E-BOOK Meet Our Team Learn More About Us Ira Sherman Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York With over four decades of courtroom experience, **Ira Sherman** is a powerhouse trial lawyer who has won justice for countless victims of serious injury, discrimination, and medical malpractice. Known for his relentless advocacy, compassion, and proven results, he’s the attorney clients trust when everything is on the line. Ira Sherman's Bio Joseph Cammarata Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia A dual board-certified civil trial attorney, **Joseph Cammarata** is nationally recognized for his fierce advocacy, landmark legal victories, and relentless pursuit of justice for victims of serious injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, and civil rights violations. With wins against powerful opponents—including a historic U.S. Supreme Court case securing equal access to justice—he’s the attorney clients trust when they need skill, strength, and results that matter. Joe Cammarata's Bio Allan M. Siegel​ Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Allan M. Siegel** is a board-certified trial attorney and partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., known for securing justice in serious personal injury, brain injury, and wrongful death cases. Recognized as one of Washington’s *Top 100 Super Lawyers®* and a *Best Lawyer®* in America, he combines strategic precision, courtroom skill, and relentless advocacy to win full and fair compensation for his clients. Allan Siegel's Bio Stephen Ollar Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Stephen Ollar** is an award-winning trial attorney and U.S. Army veteran dedicated to holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable. Recognized as a *Super Lawyers Rising Star* from 2020–2025, he’s known for his tenacity, precision, and unwavering pursuit of justice in personal injury, auto accident, and medical malpractice cases. Stephen Ollar's Bio ## Related Articles Read More Blog Articles Alexandria Bus Accident Lawyer Washington DC Bus Accident Lawyer [](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/2026/06/i-95-stafford-county-bus-crash-virginia-law/) Bus Accidents The I-95 Bus Crash in Stafford County: What Happens Next, and What Virginia Law Means for the Families Legally Reviewed by Allan M. 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