Multiple People Injured In Barrington School Bus Accident on Ela Road in Deer Park
Bus Accident - February 23, 2022
Suburban School Bus Driver Arrested For DUI Following Barrington Accident on Ela Road in Deer Park
COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS (February 22, 2022) – Multiple people were injured in a Barrington DUI school bus accident on Ela Road in Deer Park.
Cook county police officials are saying that the accident took place on Thursday afternoon. A school bus driver failed to yield to oncoming traffic during a snowstorm when his bus was hit by an SUV.
At least 20 students were on board at the time of the crash. Paramedics and police officials arrived at the scene in order to help the victim. Police eventually arrested the school bus driver who had a blood alcohol content more than twice the legal limit.
A full investigation into the Barrington school bus collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Cook County School Bus Accidents
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in car accidents with drunk drivers. According to the NHTSA, more than 25% of all fatal collisions involve an impaired driver. Every day, more than 30 people are killed in car crashes with a drunk driver. Even modest amounts of alcohol can substantially impair drivers in the following ways.
- Loss of muscle control
- Loss of motor control
- Blurred vision
- Delayed reaction times
School bus drivers must get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. This includes prohibitions against driving under the influence of alcohol. Anyone driving a passenger vehicle must not drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. However, commercial drivers such as bus drivers must not drive with a BAC of 0.04% or higher. Commercial drivers are not even allowed to start their shift if they have a BAC of 0.02% or higher.
Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-901.01), all drivers must yield the right-of-way at intersections to any vehicle close enough so as to pose a hazard. When a driver fails to yield the right of way to any vehicle, they could be held liable. The company or municipality that a school bus driver worked for could also be held at fault. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any bus accident.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
The FMCSA requires commercial buses that can carry 16 or more passengers to have at least $5,000,000 worth of liability insurance. Any person that is injured in a school bus accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages can help cover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Many victims may not realize the full extent of their injuries for some time after an accident. A school bus accident attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Cook County School Bus Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Barrington crash. This was completely preventable and should never have happened. It is totally inexcusable for someone who has been entrusted with the safety of children to abrogate their responsibilities in this way. There needs to be a thorough investigation into how this took place.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a school bus accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need help after an accident we are here for you. You’re always welcome to reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
