1) Check for nearby residential or commercial street cameras that may have captured the school name and bus at the exact time of the incident.

2) If it is a nearby school, observe their bus fleet. You can check the logs to see which bus was on that specific route at the time of the incident.

3)  Approach the school principal with your evidence. Present the damage to the bicycle and demand compensation (for repairs or replacement). Most schools have insurance or internal protocols to handle such claims.

4)If the school refuses to cooperate, you can file a formal complaint at your local police station for Rash and Negligent Driving under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Is there any CC TV camera nearby? If so, you may look at the footage, if permitted. Otherwise, if you know the approximate time when the bicycle was knocked down, you can get the details of the bus from the school authorities/other drivers. You may look for scratch marks on the bus to identify. If identified, lodge a written complaint with the school demanding compensation for the damage caused. As far as speedbreakers are concerned, rules as laid down by the traffic police are to be complied with and these cannot be constructed arbitrarily.

1. Complain to the jurisdictional Police and request for obtaining CCTV recordings around the place of accident. 

2.  Based on the evidence procured through CCTV, file a complaint against the Driver and the School.

3.  The school management may come for negotiation with you to resolve the issue and for paying compensation. 

4.  In case it fails,  file a case under Motor Vehicle Claims in the jurisdictional and competent Court.

5.  For installation of speed breakers and to prevent rash and fast driving by the bus drivers, complain the same to the jurisdictional DCP (Traffic) and RTO officials.

Since the school is near your house you can always track the bus and demand compensation.

To get compensation, you first need to identify the bus.

Schools maintain strict logs of their transport systems. You should immediately approach the school principal or transport manager.

Once you have identified the bus, you can demand compensation. Legally, the school management is bound by Vicarious Liability.

Present the repair estimates or replacement cost of the bicycle to the school principal. Most schools prefer to settle these property damage claims internally or through their vehicle's insurance rather than dealing with a police case.

Every school bus is legally required to have Third-Party Liability Insurance under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. This insurance specifically covers property damage caused to third parties. If the school refuses to pay out of pocket, they must coordinate with their insurer to cover your loss.

If the school is uncooperative, visit the local police station to file a complaint (which can be turned into a First Information Report or FIR) for rash driving and causing damage to property.

Walk over to the school's administrative office. Ask to speak with the transport in-charge or the principal regarding a "hit-and-run property damage incident involving one of their buses." Staying calm but firm usually yields the fastest result, as schools are highly protective of their public reputation.

If there is no damage to your son then you can claim compensation from motor tribunal by sending notice to the school and its driver.

- File a written complaint against the said School , even you have no details of the said vehicle. 

- Further, you can also lodge a complaint before the Municipal corporation and the Education Department against the said school , as there is no speed breakers near the school. 

- If no response, then send a legal notice to the said school and ask compensation .

Dear Client, Even without the vehicle having a registration number you have several avenues to pursue both justice and road safety since the school is nearby you can first attempt an informal resolution visit the school administration explain the incident to them and ask them to verify their school logs or GPS data for that specific time and day if they are cooperative enough you may be able to identify the bus and driver internally without needing formal litigation if they refuse to cooperate you can file a formal complaint with the local police station providing them with the exact time and location of the incident the police have the authority to pull CCTV footage from nearby shop traffic signals or residential cameras to identify the vehicle.

To seek compensation for the damage caused to you a police complaint is a necessary first step once the bus is identified you can approach to the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) or file a claim through the school’s insurance provider if the vehicle remains unidentified despite the police efforts your own comprehensive bicycle or home insurance policy may cover the repair cost documentation is key here to ensure that you take clear photographs of the damage bicycle and the scene of the accident and if possible obtain statements from any neighbours or shopkeepers who may have witness the bus hitting the bike.

Finally regarding the installation of speed Breakers you have a strong case for community safety you can file a formal representation to the local traffic police inspector or the traffic department of your Municipal Corporation it is more effective to submit this as a collective request from multiple parents or residents rather than as an individual your letter should highlight that the road is a high risk zone for children and site the recent incident as evidence of danger. I hope this answer helps, if you have any further query kindly do not hesitate to contact us. Thankyou

Dear Sir/Madam,

Yes, you can seek compensation, but first collect proof such as photos, repair estimate, CCTV footage from nearby houses/shops/school and witness details.

Send a written complaint/legal notice to the school and ask them to identify the bus and driver from their records. You may also file a complaint with the local Traffic Police for negligent driving and damage to property.

If they refuse payment, you can file a civil recovery/consumer-style claim for the repair/replacement cost, but for a bicycle, settlement is usually more practical.

For speed breakers, give a written representation to BBMP/Traffic Police with residents’ signatures, photos and school-location details. Do not install any speed breaker privately.

Advocate Saurabh Agrawal

Yes, there is a legal route to seek compensation if you can establish that a school bus caused the damage to your son's bicycle. As a first step, gather evidence such as photographs of the damaged bicycle, CCTV footage from nearby houses, shops, or the school, and statements from any witnesses who saw the incident. Even if you did not note the bus number, you may approach the school in writing, describe the date, time, and location of the incident, and request details of the bus and driver involved. If the school refuses to cooperate, you may lodge a complaint with the local police regarding property damage and seek assistance in identifying the vehicle. If negligence is established, you may claim compensation from the school or the vehicle owner for the repair or replacement cost of the bicycle. Regarding road safety, you may submit a written representation to the local municipal authority, Public Works Department, traffic police, or road-owning authority requesting installation of speed breakers, warning signs, or other traffic-calming measures near the school. Support from local residents and evidence of speeding vehicles may strengthen such a request and improve the likelihood of action being taken.