31 Students Injured In Meadow Ridge Elementary School Bus Accident in Chicago

Bus Accident - November 10, 2025

Over 30 Children From Orland Park’s Meadow Ridge Elementary Injured After Three School Buses Collided in Chicago Near Midway Plaisance and Dorchester Avenue

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (November 9, 2026) – At least 31 people from Meadow Ridge Elementary School were injured in a Chicago school bus accident by Midway Plaisance and Dorchester Avenue.

Cook County officials are saying that the accident took place on Friday morning. Three school buses were involved in a collision for undetermined reasons.

Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victims. At least 31 students and one adult were taken to the hospital.

The Meadow Ridge Elementary School students were headed on a field trip to a museum at the time of the collision. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Cook County School Bus Accidents

School buses in Illinois are considered common carriers. They must operate with a great deal of caution to protect the well-being of their passengers. To that end, school buses must follow other vehicles at a safe distance. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-710, “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.” School bus drivers should take several actions to avoid collisions.

Speed: School bus drivers should slow down during times of heavy traffic.
Fatigue: School bus drivers should be well rested before heading out onto the road.
Distraction: School bus drivers should avoid distractions while working.
Blind Spots: School bus drivers should check their blind spots before making turns at intersections.

If a school bus driver fails to slow down to avoid colliding with another vehicle, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Liability could extend to several entities beyond any particular bus driver. The employer that these drivers worked for could be vicariously liable. Employers in Illinois can be liable for the wrongful actions of their workers – insofar as those workers were operating within the course and scope of their job duties.

Common Injuries Associated With School Bus Accidents

Many people are killed or seriously injured in school bus accidents every year in the United States. According to the National Safety Council, “School bus-related crashes killed 128 people nationwide in 2023, up 23% compared to the 104 deaths in 2022, according to National Safety Council (NSC) tabulations of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).” Victims of school bus accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries.

Head Injuries: The impact of a school bus crash can cause children to be thrown forward, particularly since many school buses lack seat belts. Many children sustain serious head trauma.
Broken Bones: Another common injury that people sustain is broken bones. This outcome is particularly likely if the victim is a pedestrian or in a passenger vehicle.
Organ Damage: Many of the injuries associated with school bus accidents are not outwardly obvious. It is relatively common for people to sustain serious internal injuries.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that buses that can carry 16 or more passengers must have $5,000,000 or more in liability coverage. This can go to help any person injured in the bus accident. Unfortunately, insurance providers will virtually never accept responsibility when their drivers are involved in a crash. This is why it is so important that victims carefully consider their legal options with an experienced bus accident attorney.

Investigating Cook County School Bus Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Cook County school bus accident. It is our sincere hope that the victims will be able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable accident that should not have taken place.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Chicago school bus accident? You may be entitled to financial compensation. 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 are wondering how an attorney may be able to help with your particular situation, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.