One Person Injured In Knox County School Bus Accident By Illinois Route 167 and Knox Road 1240 East
Bus Accident - March 6, 2022
Knox County School Bus Accident Involving Pickup Truck Injured One Person By Illinois Route 167 and Knox Road 1240 East
KNOX COUNTY, ILLINOIS (March 5, 2022) – At least one person was injured in a Knox County school bus accident by Illinois Route 167 and Knox Road 1240 East.
Knox County police officials are saying that the collision took place on Wednesday morning. A school bus with 33 students onboard collided with a pickup truck traveling West.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help all of the people who were injured. The pickup truck had to be towed away from the scene.
Police officials cited the bus driver involved in the collision.
Liability In Knox County School Bus Accidents
Buses can be particularly dangerous for pedestrians and those in passenger vehicles. According to The Journalist’s Resource, “The researchers note that, on average, about 63,000 buses [of all kinds] are involved in an accident each year; about 14,000 result in an injured person, and 325 result in a fatal injury.” Due to their weight, a collision with a school bus could be catastrophic. There are many factors that may influence the likelihood of a school bus accident.
- Buses have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of other vehicles.
- Buses are much more difficult to drive than passenger vehicles. Inexperienced drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes.
- Bus drivers can become fatigued like everyone else. Some studies have suggested the serious fatigue can be as dangerous as driver intoxication.
School bus drivers must get a commercial license (CDL)and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Serious traffic violations can jeopardize a bus driver’s ability to maintain their CDL. Many bus accidents are due to bus drivers that make dangerous turns. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/), all drivers must yield the right of way to vehicles traveling from the opposite direction before making a turn.
If a school bus driver was negligent and caused an accident, the company or school district they worked for could be held at fault. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any school bus accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- A school bus accident attorney should be contacted.
Any person that is injured due to the negligence of a school bus driver may be able to seek justice through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. The FMCSA requires buses that can carry 16 or more people to have at least $5,000,000 worth of liability insurance. An Illinois school bus accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating An Illinois School Bus Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to anyone injured in this Knox County accident. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victims. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police.
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 are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. 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.
