Four Students Injured In Perry County School Bus Accident
Bus Accident - November 11, 2023
School Bus From St. Bruno Catholic School Involved In Perry County Semi-Truck Accident Along Route 41 That Left Four Students Injured
DU BOIS, ILLINOIS (November 10, 2023) – At least four students were injured in a Perry County school bus accident with a semi-truck on Route 51.
Perry County officials are saying that the accident took place around 3:10 p.m. on Thursday. A southbound flatbed truck was stopped on Route 51 and waiting to turn east on Kimmel Road.
A school bus from St. Bruno Catholic School in Pinckneyville, Ill was carrying children and hit the truck. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims. A total of four children were injured in the crash.
Video of the aftermath of the crash showed the school with major front end damage. A full investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Perry County School Bus Accidents
School buses are typically very safe. But buses can be particularly dangerous in certain types of collisions. According to the National Safety Council, “Of the people injured in school bus-related crashes from 2011 to 2020, about 33% were school bus passengers, 8% were school bus drivers, and 54% were occupants of other vehicles. The remainder were pedestrians, pedalcyclists, and other or unknown.” School bus drivers should take a number of measures in order to avoid collisions.
- Bus drivers should check their blind spots before making turns.
- Bus drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them.
- Bus drivers should be well rested before heading out onto the road.
School buses are considered common carriers under the law. Their drivers are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Many bus collisions are due to drivers that are speeding. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-601, no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed greater than what is reasonable and prudent given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. If a school bus driver fails to slow down to avoid a collision, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
If a school bus driver was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful acts of their employees – insofar as they were working within the course and scope of their job duties. Victims of school bus accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
The vast majority of bus collisions are preventable and involve some amount of driver error. A bus driver may be distracted or simply following another vehicle too closely. It is important to seek legal counsel as early as possible if you’ve been involved in a school bus crash. A bus accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Getting Legal Help After Illinois School Bus Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the children injured in this crash and their families. It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable crash that should not have taken place.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a school bus accident? Our team of bus accident attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. 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.
