A recent school bus accident injured more than two dozen children and appears to have been caused by a vehicle rear-ending the bus, according to recent reports. The crash took place near Greenback Lane and Mariposa Avenue as the bus was traveling from Arlington Heights School, located in Citrus Heights, to San Juan High School for a nutrition festival.
When officers arrived at the scene, 26 people on board were complaining of injuries. Of these, 11 were treated at the scene and 15 were transported to the hospital. At first glance, authorities say that all the injuries appear to be relatively minor.
According to an adult witness on the school bus, the bus was sitting at a red light waiting to make a right-hand turn. The moment the light turned green, the bus occupants felt a sharp impact. The woman who apparently rear-ended the bus was reported to have said she was “sorry she hit the accelerator instead of the brake.” Investigators do not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash.
School Bus Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 1,564 people died in school bus related accidents between 1998 and 2008. However, 92 percent of these fatalities involved people outside the bus; only eight percent of fatalities were occupants of the school bus itself.
By far the largest group of people killed in school bus accidents are pedestrians. Every year, nearly 17 pedestrians are killed by being hit by a school bus or by another vehicle as they enter or exit the bus. Most of these fatalities occur in the afternoon between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., during the time that schools normally let out.
Victims Are Entitled to Payment
When school children or adults are the victims of someone else’s negligence, they are entitled to collect compensation for their injuries. This is particularly true when, as in this case, someone hits a school bus. School buses are the most visible things on the road in most cases and are structured with lights, warning signals and other safety features to prevent accidents. In order to hit a school bus, it is almost a foregone conclusion that someone must be careless or negligent.
Those who have been injured in a school bus accident may be entitled to payment of medical bills, sums for pain and suffering, lost wages from missed work and other compensation. The attorneys at Ashley Injury Lawyers in Roseville may be able to help you recover damages if you have been injured in a school bus accident.
