Will my auto insurance cover me if I am in an accident when transporting students?
Question Details: I am a Para-educator in a KS HS. My duties include transporting 3 Sp. Ed students in my own vehicle to vocational sites. The average student I transport can be impulsive, have safety issues, behavior control problems and/or medical conditions. The districts policy; if I am involved in an accident my auto insurance will have to cover all cost. It is unclear if "accident" covers students who slam their hand in a car door. There has been no clarification if in a, moving, accident if it matters if am at fault or not. My insurance agent assures me that the school district is correct.
I am a licensed KS attorney. I would have to examine the district's policy and your insurance policy in detail and compare them to the relevant statutes and caselaw to fully answer your question. I think it would be grossly unfair to make you liable unless you were in fact negligent; and I would work hard to force the district to be responsible. If you wish me to look into this further, feel free to email me at sean@roadlawyer.net or call me at 913 441 5025.
---Sean Santoro
Santoro Law Office
