12 People Injured In Sangamon County Bus Accident On Interstate 55 By Milepost 79
Bus Accident - March 16, 2022
Multiple People Injured In Sangamon County Bus Accident Along Interstate 55 Not Far From Milepost 79
SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS (March 16, 2022) – At least 12 people were injured in a Sangamon County bus accident on Interstate 55 not far from Milepost 79 and Springfield.
Sangamon County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 6:30 a.m. on Friday. A bus hit a patch of ice and slid off of the roadway before overturning in the median.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision not far from Springfield in order to help all of the victims. A full investigation into the Sangamon County bus accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Illinois Bus Accidents
Accidents are far more likely to occur during periods of inclement weather. This is especially true for roads covered in snow or ice. According to the American Highway Users Alliance, every year over 1,300 people are killed and over 100,000 people are injured in crashes involving roads with snow, ice or slush. Ice on the roadways can substantially increase the distance that it takes a vehicle to stop. There are a number of steps that drivers and cities can take when there is ice on the roadways.
- Drivers must slow down during periods of inclement weather or icy roads.
- Cities and county should salt roadways to melt the ice.
- In certain circumstances, warning signs should be put out to alert drivers to icy conditions.
Bus drivers must get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. The fact of the matter is that ice on the roadways is predictable. Even if a bus driver can’t see ice on the roadway, they should always account for that possibility in below freezing temperatures. Black ice is nearly invisible and can be extremely dangerous. It can accumulate when the roads become slightly wet and then freeze.
Even if a bus driver was not speeding, they could still be liable for driving too fast for the prevailing conditions. Pursuant 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.” Victims of bus accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations
- Amputations
- Organ damage
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires commercial buses to carry at least $5,000,000 in liability coverage. Victims may be able to seek compensation through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Many victims may not realize the full extent of their injuries until several weeks or months after an accident. An Illinois bus accident attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your options are.
Investigating An Illinois Bus Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Sangamon County bus accident. Any person that may have information about what happened should reach out to police. It is our sincere hope that there is some accountability for what happened. Someone could have easily died when the bus flipped over.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in an Illinois bus accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support they need to completely recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.