17 Richards High School Students Injured In Chicago School Bus Accident

Bus Accident - May 3, 2025

Mount Greenwood, Chicago School Bus Accident With SUV Leaves 17 Richards High School Students Hospitalized

17 Richards High School Students Injured In Chicago School Bus Accident

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (May 3, 2025) – At least 17 students from Richards High School were injured in a Mount Greenwood, Chicago school bus accident on West 111th Street.

Cook County officials are saying that the collision took place around 7:30 AM Friday morning on Chicago’s South Side. A school bus carrying students from Richards High School was headed west when it collided with an SUV making a right turn at a red light.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims. Six of the students and two of the drivers were transported to OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center.

Another six students were transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center. An additional five students were transported to Holy Cross Hospital.

The driver of the SUV has citations pending against them as a result of the collision. A full investigation into the Mount Greenwood school bus accident that injured Richards High School students remains ongoing.

Liability for Mount Greenwood School Bus Accidents

Many people are injured or killed in accidents involving school buses every year in the United States. According to the National Safety Council, “School bus-related crashes killed 104 people nationwide in 2022, down 3.7% compared to the 108 deaths in 2021, according to National Safety Council (NSC) tabulations of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).” Most of the victims were passengers in smaller vehicles. There are a number of factors that can make school buses particularly dangerous.

  • Weight: School buses weigh substantially more than passenger vehicles, thereby making even low-impact collisions potentially catastrophic.
  • Turning Radius: School buses have a wide turning radius, which can increase the likelihood of a side impact collision.
  • Blind Spots: School buses have large blind spots that can easily obscure the presence of smaller vehicles.

All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid causing collisions. Many collisions are caused by drivers that make dangerous left turns into the path of other vehicles. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 Vehicles § 5/11-306, drivers approaching a steady red signal must stop and remain until an indication to proceed is shown. If a driver turns into the path of another vehicle while facing a red light, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.

Depending on the facts of any case, liability for any collision could extend beyond a driver. If a school bus driver was working at the time of a collision, the school district or employer that they worked for could potentially be held at fault. Employers are vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees. School buses are considered common carriers, and their drivers must exercise a great deal of caution in order to avoid injuring passengers. Several steps should be taken after any school bus accident.

  • Medical Evaluation: Accident victims should seek a thorough medical evaluation. Many of the injuries associated with bus accidents may not be immediately obvious.
  • Police Report: The accident should be reported to the police as soon as possible. The police will conduct an investigation and come up with a preliminary finding of who may have been at fault.
  • Legal Counsel: Accident victims should seek the guidance of an experienced Chicago school bus accident attorney. An attorney could take steps to help ensure that victims are fairly compensated for all of their injuries.

Going through a car accident can be difficult in the best of circumstances. For those that are injured, this process is often substantially worse. Victims may need to take extensive periods of time away from school or work. They may also be left with high medical bills. Even a simple visit to the emergency room can result in thousands of dollars of bills. It is important that victims take certain steps to preserve their physical and financial well-being. One of the best ways to do this is to consult with an attorney who can evaluate the strength of your case.

Investigating Mount Greenwood School Bus Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the Richards High School students and other victims injured in this school bus collision. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the Chicago Police Department. This was a preventable collision that should not have taken place. It is our sincere hope that all of the victims will be able to make a full recovery.

Have you or someone you care about been injured in a Mount Greenwood school bus accident? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of Chicago school bus accident attorneys is here to assist you. We are committed to helping victims get the medical and financial support that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.