Child Injured In Springfield SMTD Bus Accident By Martin Luther King Jr. Dr and Jackson St.

Bus Accident - November 8, 2025

Child Hospitalized After Being Struck by SMTD Bus Near the Intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Dr and Jackson St. in Springfield

Child Injured In Springfield SMTD Bus Accident By Martin Luther King Jr. Dr and Jackson St.

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS (November 7, 2025) – A child was injured in a Springfield SMTD bus accident near the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Dr and Jackson St.

Springfield officials are saying that the accident took place around 7:14 a.m. on Thursday. The child was hit by the SMTD bus for undetermined reasons.

Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim. They were taken to a local hospital to receive treatment.

A full investigation into the Springfield bus accident remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Springfield Bus Accidents

Buses are considered common carriers. Their drivers must operate with an abundance of caution to avoid colliding with pedestrians. According to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-1002, “When traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall stop and yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.” Bus drivers should take several actions to avoid collisions.

  • Blind Spots: Bus drivers should check their blind spots before making turns at any intersection.
  • Horn: Bus drivers must use their horn and turn signals to warn pedestrians and let them know of their intentions.
  • Speed: Bus drivers should reduce their speed to avoid colliding with any pedestrian in the roadway.

If a bus driver fails to slow down to avoid colliding with any pedestrian in the roadway, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. The company that owned or operated the bus could also be held at fault. This might be a private company or municipal entity like a city or county. Employers in Illinois can be held vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees who were working within the course and scope of their job duties.

Common Injuries Associated With Illinois Bus Accidents

Larger vehicles like trucks and buses are associated with many serious accidents each year. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “In 2022, 6,050 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes, a 2-percent increase from 2021. From 2021 to 2022, large truck and bus fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled by all motor vehicles stayed the same at 0.192, 6 percent below the 21st-century peak of 0.205 in 2000.” Victims of bus accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries.

  • Victims may suffer head trauma. This can range from minor concussions to life-altering traumatic brain injuries.
  • Another common injury is fractures. These are particularly common in a person’s arms and wrists.
  • Many of the injuries associated with bus accidents will not be immediately obvious. Many victims suffer serious organ damage.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires buses that can carry 16 or more passengers to have at least $5,000,000 in liability coverage. This coverage can go to help victims of bus accidents. Unfortunately, bus companies will virtually never accept responsibility if they hit a pedestrian. This is why it is so important that accident victims carefully consider their legal options with an experienced bus accident attorney.

Investigating Springfield Bus Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the child injured in this Springfield bus accident and their family. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. Many questions remain unanswered. What was the speed of the bus prior to the crash? What is the safety record of the company that owned the bus? Is there a history of collisions at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Dr and Jackson Street?

Have you or a loved one been injured due to the negligent actions of an SMTD bus driver? Our team of bus accident attorneys is here to help you. We are committed to getting accident victims all of the medical and financial support they need to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we may be able to help. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.