11 Students, One Teacher Injured in Carrollton School Bus Accident

Bus Accident - May 1, 2026

Investigation Underway After Multiple Students and Teacher Injured After School Bus Rollover on U.S. 67 in Carrollton

what to do if you are in a bus accident

CARROLLTON, ILLINOIS (April 30, 2026) – At least 12 people were injured in a Carrollton school bus accident along U.S. 67 near NE 400 Street.

Carrollton officials are saying that the accident took place around 3:48 p.m. on Wednesday. A school bus was driving down the road when another vehicle headed southbound crossed the center line along a curve in the roadway.

The bus driver swerved onto the shoulder of the road to avoid a crash. However, the bus hit a ditch embankment and rolled over onto its side.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim. Eleven students and one teacher were taken to the hospital to receive treatment.

Liability for Carrollton School Bus Accidents

School buses are considered common carriers, and their drivers are expected to operate with an abundance of caution to avoid collisions. This necessitates that bus drivers remain in a single lane of traffic until it is safe to move. According to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-709, “A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.” There are several reasons that school buses can be particularly dangerous.

  • Top Heavy: School buses are inherently top heavy and are much more susceptible to rolling over.
  • Blind Spots: School buses have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of smaller vehicles.
  • Stopping Distance: School buses have a much longer stopping distance than passenger vehicles.
  • Weight: School buses can weigh substantially more than passenger vehicles and can be dangerous even at lower speeds.

If a school bus driver allows their vehicle to drift into opposing lanes of traffic, this could serve as evidence of negligence. In far too many situations, school bus drivers will overcorrect on the road, which can cause their vehicle to overturn. Liability for a school bus accident could extend beyond one specific bus driver. The municipal entity or private employer that they work for could also be held at fault.

Steps to Take After School Bus Accidents

School buses are typically very safe for their passengers. But many people are still injured every year in accidents involving these vehicles. According to the National Safety Council, “School bus-related crashes killed 110 people nationwide in 2024, down 14% compared to the 128 deaths in 2023, according to National Safety Council (NSC) tabulations of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).” Certain steps should be taken after any school bus accident.

  • All of the medical records related to the incident should be sought.
  • Medical records related to the incident should be collected.
  • Surveillance footage of the accident should be reviewed.
  • Victims should contact an experienced bus accident attorney.

School bus accidents can be absolutely catastrophic for victims. Many people are left with serious injuries that impair their ability to work or even perform daily tasks. Sadly, bus companies will often never accept responsibility when their drivers are involved in a crash. However, a large portion of school bus accidents do involve some amount of negligence. Any person injured in a school bus crash may have legal recourse through a personal injury claim.

Investigating Carrollton School Bus Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Carrollton school bus accident. It is our hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Carrollton school bus accident? Our team of bus accident attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. 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.