Las Vegas, NV (August 21st, 2025) – When a teenager was struck in a pedestrian accident near Maryland Parkway and St. Rose Parkway, the crash drew attention to a serious concern: safety in areas where students are walking to and from school. According to police, the 14-year-old was hit by a vehicle just after 4 p.m. and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
This recent pedestrian accident highlights the risks students face daily near intersections, crosswalks, and school bus stops. In Las Vegas, where traffic is heavy and neighborhoods often border busy arterials, the safety of children around buses and crosswalks is a community responsibility—and a legal one.
If your student has suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident while traveling to or from school, contact our personal injury lawyers at George Bochanis Injury Law Offices to discuss your next steps, 702-388-2005.
Why School Bus Safety Matters in Clark County
For families across Clark County, school buses are a daily part of life. Clark County School District (CCSD) runs one of the largest bus fleets in the country, moving more than 120,000 students every school day. With so many children entering and exiting buses on busy streets, safety isn’t just a matter of convenience. It can be the difference between a safe ride home and a life-changing accident.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research shows that the greatest risk for children isn’t the bus ride itself, but the moments just before boarding and right after exiting. These transition points are where students are exposed to moving traffic, impatient drivers, and blind spots around the bus. The recent accident near Maryland Parkway reflects that reality: a teenager struck in the very moment when students are most vulnerable.
The Danger Zones Around School Buses
The danger zones are the areas within about 10 feet around the bus, especially the front, rear, and sides, where it is hardest for drivers to see children. Students may need to cross in front of the bus or walk along its side, placing them directly in these blind spots. Accidents commonly occur when:
- A child steps too close to the front of the bus, outside the driver’s line of sight.
- A student drops something near the bus and bends down, unaware the bus could move.
- Children assume traffic will stop, but a nearby driver illegally passes the bus.
- A motorist fails to yield as children are walking away from the stop toward home.
In Las Vegas, where many bus stops sit along high-traffic roads, the danger zones are even more hazardous. A child exiting a bus may only need to take a few steps into the street before they’re exposed to fast-moving cars. For this reason, Nevada law requires all drivers to stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights and to remain stopped until children are safely clear.
Nevada Laws Designed to Protect Students
Nevada’s traffic safety laws are written with these exact risks in mind. Lawmakers recognize that children exiting a bus are often in blind spots, unpredictable in their movements, and unable to judge the speed of approaching vehicles. To protect students in these danger zones, state statutes impose strict duties on drivers, especially near buses and in school zones.
Common Risks Near School Buses and Crosswalks
Even with Nevada’s safety laws in place, children remain vulnerable when drivers fail to exercise caution, and serious car accidents may occur. The areas immediately around a bus—the danger zones—are particularly hazardous because children may step suddenly into traffic, cross in front of the bus where visibility is limited, or linger near the curb. When drivers ignore the rules designed for these areas, accidents can happen in an instant.
Impatient Drivers Passing Buses
One of the most common risks is impatience. Motorists sometimes attempt to pass a stopped bus, even while its lights are flashing, putting children directly in harm’s way as they cross in front of or behind the bus.
Speeding in School Zones
Speeding is another frequent issue. A car moving even slightly above the posted 15 mph limit has far less time to stop if a student appears in the roadway.
Distracted Driving Around Bus Stops
Distraction compounds these dangers. A driver glancing at a phone or navigation system may not notice a child stepping into a crosswalk or walking around the front of a bus, making distracted driving around bus stops a serious risk.
Visibility Challenges in Danger Zones
Visibility challenges add another layer of risk. For example, sun glare in the morning or low afternoon light can make it difficult for drivers to see students, especially smaller children.
Turning Vehicles at Intersections
Finally, turning vehicles near school zones pose a recurring hazard. A left-turning driver focused on oncoming traffic may miss a pedestrian in the crosswalk, even though the child has the legal right of way.
The recent accident involving a teenager near Maryland Parkway illustrates how these risks come together. Children exiting a bus are often just a few steps away from busy traffic, and it only takes one inattentive or impatient driver to cause serious harm.
Legal Liability in School Bus and Pedestrian Accidents
When a child is injured near a school bus or crosswalk, questions quickly arise about who bears legal responsibility. Liability often depends on the specific circumstances, but several key categories frequently apply.
Driver Liability
The driver who strikes a student is usually the primary liable party. Failing to stop for a bus, speeding in a school zone, or driving while distracted are clear violations of Nevada’s duty of care laws.
Possible School District Liability
In some cases, school districts or bus drivers may share responsibility. If a bus driver fails to engage lights or a stop arm, or if children are released in an unsafe location, the school district may face liability. Similarly, if supervision is lacking at a busy stop, families may have grounds to bring a claim against CCSD. Because claims against public entities involve additional procedures, legal guidance from an experienced Las Vegas pedestrian accident lawyer is essential.
Insurance and Compensation
Whether liability falls on a driver, the school district, or both, compensation may include medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and long-term care costs if injuries cause lasting harm. Families may also rely on Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage within their own policy if the at-fault driver lacks insurance or flees the scene.
Protecting Children Around School Buses
The recent accident in Las Vegas is a sobering reminder that children are most at risk during the moments they step on or off the bus. While Nevada law sets strict rules to protect students, safety ultimately depends on drivers slowing down, paying attention, and respecting bus signals.
When drivers fail in that duty, families are left to deal with the consequences. Legal action can help hold negligent drivers accountable and push for safer practices around schools and neighborhoods.
If your child has been injured in a school bus-related accident in Las Vegas, George Bochanis Injury Law Offices is here to help. Call 702-388-2005 to discuss your case and learn your legal options.
