One Person Died, 11 Injured In Will County School Bus Accident
Bus Accident - January 29, 2026
Investigation Underway After Fatal Will County School Bus Accident at Manhattan Monee Road and Kankakee Road
WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS (January 29, 2026) – One person has died, and 11 people were injured in a Will County school bus accident near the intersection of Manhattan Monee Road and Kankakee Road.
Will County officials are saying that the accident took place around 8:25 AM on Wednesday. A school bus and a passenger vehicle were traveling down the road when both were involved in a head-on collision.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help all of the victims. Sadly, the driver of the passenger vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. A school bus driver and 10 students on the bus were also injured.
A full investigation into the cause of the bus accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Will County School Bus Accidents
School buses are considered common carriers. Their drivers must operate with an abundance of caution to avoid harm to passengers. According to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-601, “No vehicle may be driven upon any highway of this State at a speed which is greater than is reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions and the use of the highway, or endangers the safety of any person or property.” Several factors could contribute to a car accident.
- Drivers are substantially more likely to lose control of their vehicle if they are making sharp turns.
- Drivers may enter into the opposing line of traffic if they become fatigued.
- Drivers may cause head-on accidents if they overcorrect after making an initial error.
There is a presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that enters opposing lanes of traffic and collides with another vehicle. These types of accidents nearly always involve some amount of error. But not every head-on collision is always the result of driver error. It is possible that the company responsible for making a car or its component parts could be liable for a collision if an accident was the result of a vehicle systems failure.
Steps to Take After Will County Bus Accidents
Many people are killed or seriously injured every year in bus accidents. According to The Journalist’s Resource, “on average, about 63,000 buses [of all kinds] are involved in an accident each year; about 14,000 result in an injured person, and 325 result in a fatal injury.” Several steps should be taken after any bus accident.
- Victims should seek medical treatment as early as possible.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Any person that witnessed the accident should be interviewed.
- Victims should contact an experienced bus accident attorney.
It can be hard to know what to do after being injured in a bus accident. Many victims may sustain serious injuries that leave them with substantial medical bills. Victims of bus accidents are protected by a number of laws. They are able to pursue some measures of accountability through a personal injury claim.
Investigating Illinois School Bus Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the driver who died in this collision. Any person who may have more information should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in an Illinois school bus accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help. We are committed to helping victims get the medical and financial support they need to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
