9 Injured In Harristown School Bus Accident

Bus Accident - November 19, 2024

Nine Injured Following School Bus Collision In Harristown on Interstate 72

HARRISTOWN, ILLINOIS (November 19, 2024) – At least nine people were injured in a Harristown school bus accident on Interstate 72.

Macon County officials are saying that the incident took place around 9:40 p.m. on Thursday. The school bus was involved in a collision under uncertain conditions.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victims. Nine passengers were transported to a local hospital in an ambulance.

The other passengers were released to their parents or guardians. A full investigation into the cause of the collision remains ongoing.

Liability For Macon County School Bus Accident

Many people are killed or seriously injured in school bus collisions every year. 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).” There are several reasons that school buses could be dangerous.

• School buses have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of smaller vehicles.
• School buses have a high center of gravity, which makes them more susceptible to rollovers.
• School buses weigh substantially more than passenger vehicles and can therefore be dangerous at even lower speeds.

School buses are considered common carriers, and their drivers are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Many school bus accidents are due to drivers who are speeding. 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.” It is important that certain steps are taken after school bus accidents.

• Medical records related to the crash should be preserved.
• Surveillance footage should be sought.
• Photos of the accident site should be taken.
• The police report for the collision should be collected.

School bus crashes are often highly preventable. They tend to be the result of drivers that are speeding or not paying adequate attention to the road ahead of them. It is important for accident victims to understand that they do have rights. They are able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. A school bus accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.

Investigating Macon County School Bus Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Harristown school bus accident. It is our sincere hope that all of the victims will be able to make a full recovery. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Harristown school bus accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the support and justice that they deserve under the law. 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.