Students Injured in Head-On School Bus Accident

By Grant Law Office on March 28, 2014

Fourteen students, a bus driver, and another motorist were injured after a Dodge pickup truck crossed into opposing lanes and struck a school bus head-on. According to a My Fox Atlanta report, the school bus accident occurred on Highway 120 near Buchanan in Haralson County. Officials are investigating what caused the 17-year-old female driver of the pickup to enter oncoming traffic. None of the students sustained life-threatening injuries, but most complained of pain in their neck, knee, and shoulder. The driver of the pickup was airlifted to an Atlanta hospital after being freed from her vehicle. It is unclear if she will be cited for the crash.

School buses are considered the safest mode of motorized transportation for school-aged kids. They are large vehicles that are capable of absorbing significant impacts. However, injuries can and do occur. It is common for children involved in a serious school bus accident to sustain neck injuries, sprains, strains, and contusions. It is even possible for children to sustain lacerations from flying objects and traumatic brain injuries from striking their head against the window or other hard surface.

Over a 10-year period, between 1998 and 2008, there were 1,546 traffic deaths related to school transportation accidents. That means that about 142 fatalities are sustained each year in school-related traffic accidents. The majority of the victims are occupants of other vehicles or non-occupants. However, about eight percent of those killed in school bus accidents are on a school transportation vehicle at the time of the collision.

The family of an injured school bus accident victim would be well advised to contact an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer to obtain more information about their legal rights and options. If the school bus company or school district does not offer adequate compensation for your child’s injuries in a timely manner, there are legal options available.