Multiple People Injured In Charleston School Bus Accident By Decker Springs Road
Bus Accident - February 27, 2022
Multiple People Injured After Charleston School Bus Flips Over By Decker Springs Road
COLES COUNTY, ILLINOIS (February 27, 2021) – Multiple people were injured in a Charleston school bus accident along Decker Springs Road.
Coles County officials are saying that the accident took place around 7:00 a.m. on Thursday. A school bus with kids onboard flipped over into a field.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims. Several people were taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment.
A full investigation into the Charleston collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Coles County School Bus Accidents
School bus-related crashes kill around 100 people every year according to the National Safety Council. Most victims are pedestrians, cyclists and those in passenger vehicles. The vast majority of school bus accidents are totally preventable and due to driver error. Error can manifest itself in many ways including:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue
- Inclement weather
- Dangerous lane changes
School buses also have a high center of gravity and are therefore more likely to tip over. Rollover collisions are more likely when drivers 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.” If a bus driver allows their vehicle to rollover, they will typically be held at fault.
In some circumstances, liability may extend beyond any driver. For example, many rollover collisions are due to manufacturing defects. This could come in the form of brake failures or tire tread separations. A tread separation could cause a driver to lose control and their vehicle to flip over. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any school bus accident.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- An independent, thorough investigation should be conducted.
The FMCSA requires buses that can carry 16 or more passengers to have at least $5,000,000 worth of liability coverage. Any person that is injured in a school bus accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. 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 A Coles County School Bus Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the people who were injured in this accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation so that similar collisions can be prevented.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a school bus accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. 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 cover. You’re always welcome to reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
