Yet ANOTHER Disney Bus Accident (Saturday)

[felinefan]

Dang ambulance chasers. Two-legged vampire leeches, if you ask me. If attorneies have to advertise, they should only be allowed to give their name, office address, phone and fax number, and specialty where appropriate--that's all. Maybe their license number so people can check them out beforehand.

[Syndrome]

I totally agree. The same crap happened in Chicago when a Southwest plane overshot the runway at Midway (famous for its short runways) on a snowy day, killing a child in a car on the road outside the airport. There happened to be a lawyer in the family, and the things he coached the mother to say were unreal. She even went so far as to say the pilot purpose killed the kid. WTF? Eventually a different lawyer stepped in and shut them up.

I hate to say it, but Mommy in this Disney case is ltrying to set things up for a cash-in. As a shrink it makes me shudder to see just how off-kilter her grief reaction is.

I had originally put that in a different Accident thread... but it fits better here. So here it is:

I've driven that bus route many times. I used to love driving the Fort for a night here and there. I know that sidewalk, and I know well the type of bus. In order for the child to be pulled under the rear wheels took an incredible combination of events at just the right time. However, we all know that these freaky combinations of events do happen from time to time.

The mother is saying that the bus came up on the curb to hit the child. Um... If that bus had come up on the curb, there would be so much obvious damage that there would be no way to dispute it... and chances are, the girl who was completely unharmed would have to have been run over as well.

While I can't understand what she is going through, it seems to me that this mother is trying to defend her son's honor or something, in a case where that is just not necessary.

I can't help but think that the statements she is making don't sound like those of a mourning mother, but rather they sound like setup for legal action. The fact that she was sounding like that on the same day leads me to believe that some lawyer contacted her and is coaching her. The sad part of that is that, since Disney is NOT responsible and there is no reason that Disney really owes her anything... she will not receive anything, but some lawyer is going to get rich off her and off of fighting "for" her. Many of her statements don't even make any sense, but sound like an attempted legal argument. Interesting, as well, that she, for the sake of a press conference, put the bike he was riding in their back yard and had reporters photograph it. I can't put a finger on it, but there is something that sounds contrived about the mother, and I don't think it's coming from her personally.

Don't tell me you can't see one of several lawyers who advertise daily in Orlando doing that, complete with a well-rehearsed concerned voice and sympathetic look.

[shinysparklybubbles]

Interesting, as well, that she, for the sake of a press conference, put the bike he was riding in their back yard and had reporters photograph it. .

okay, that just seems sick to me.

[delsdad]

Dang ambulance chasers. Two-legged vampire leeches, if you ask me. If attorneies have to advertise, they should only be allowed to give their name, office address, phone and fax number, and specialty where appropriate--that's all. Maybe their license number so people can check them out beforehand.

That is how it was here in Canada until a couple years ago. They are still required to be subtle, but they really push the boundaries. This morning on the radio I hears one "have you been injured in and automobile accident? If so, call us ! You might be entitled to a BIG CASH SETTLEMENT". Fact is that personal injury settlements in Canada are a fraction what they are in the US, and attorneys cannot accept work on contingency. The suckers that call the advertisers must pay up front, and still might get zippo from any settlement.

[Rosie]

Interesting, as well, that she, for the sake of a press conference, put the bike he was riding in their back yard and had reporters photograph it..

Having spent 25 years as a traffic homicide investigator I would like to comment here. The bicycle by itself is meaningless. Oh it makes great sensationalism for the press but it has no evidentiary purpose. It would need to be matched up with physical evidence on the bus and at scene.

As a psychology student, and I bow to Mrs. Syndrome here, it would seem to me that mom can't accept that her "perfect child" made an error in judgement. As a parent and grandmother, I would not want to accept the findings either I suspect. Most people I encountered had a difficult time accepting their loved one was the cause or contributing factor in their own death.

My heart goes out to the bus driver who is having to re-live the nightmare continuously via the press. He is going to have enough to deal with without the press and internet (not people here) second guessing him and passing judgement on him.

Rosie

[Princess Susi]

They have 28 guests on the bus, they are witnesses. From the sound of it, the kid ran into the bus. Very sad accident. It is terrible when these kinds of things happen.

And the poor bus driver...he has to feel so bad and it is not his fault. And the 28 guests that experienced the whole accident as well. That is so traumatic for the bus driver... Poor guy.

But it sounds like the family already has an ambulance chaser and are already saying it was NOT the kids fault, he would not go out in the street. Too bad the parents were not supervising the kids. I would NEVER let a kid go off on a bike by themselves at that age, nowadays. Too many things can happen and yes, they can happen on Disney property too!

[CptnSkippy]

Out of curiosity, at what age would you let them off to ride on their own? Mrs Skippy and I have been discussing this incident, and by age 9 to 11, I probably would have let them ride around Ft. Wilderness together too. I remember going to MK at that age, and my cousin and I would be off on our own with just a reminder to meet at the castle by the 3 o'clock parade.

No cell phones or walkie talkies back then either.

While this is a tragedy, and a shame for the loss of life. It was a freak accident. From the investigation, the 9 year old lost balance and fell into the bus (which could happen even if the parent was riding directly with them).

[Rosie]

Out of curiosity, at what age would you let them off to ride on their own?
While this is a tragedy, and a shame for the loss of life. It was a freak accident. From the investigation, the 9 year old lost balance and fell into the bus (which could happen even if the parent was riding directly with them).

To be honest, I wouldn't let my child off on his on at 9 or 11. As much as I love Disney, I never let my children go off on their own until they were maybe 14 or 15 when we were on vacation. Disney can't, and shouldn't be expected, to protect and ensure a childs safety. That is a parents job. It would be too easy for a child to be grabbed, molested or worse. But then, I admit I always was an overly protective mother.

Rosie

[Cranbiz]

*making mental note. Do not ride Disney transportation on next trip.*

That's fine with me, one less guest to worry about.

BW hit this right on the nose (as he usually does)

Lack of facts prevents me from any additional comments but I do know that the driver (in the FW accident) is really having a rough time over this. The one on BVD on Sat will not be driving again as he was cited for careless driving.

[Csaks]

Whether it was the drivers fault or not, I feel for the man. Everyday till his end he will think about this, second guessing himself on what could have been done different. The article I read gave his name and said he was a 30 year veteran of Disney World, he obviously loved his job and I hope he can continue in some way, shape or form.

As for Mom, wow! Money or the thought of a lot of it does weird sh*t to peoples minds.....