Earlier this month in Chattanooga, Tennessee, six students were killed in a bus accident that has left many families with unanswered questions. According to a local news report covering the devastating accident, the bus was not on its scheduled route when the driver lost control and crashed into a tree, literally bending the bus in half. In all, six students died in the accident, and dozens of others were injured.
After the accident, the driver called his mother to explain that he had just been involved in an accident and that several children were dead. However, he did not call 911. Police arrested the driver, a 24-year-old man who had obtained his commercial driver’s license just over six months ago, and charged him with several counts of vehicular homicide, recklessly endangering another person, and reckless driving. Police told reporters that the school bus was traveling “well above” the posted speed limit at the time of the accident. Some are suggesting that the driver was potentially driving the bus while drowsy, having worked an overnight shift at another job the day before.
The driver also had a tumultuous relationship with the students aboard the bus. Several students had written to school officials complaining of the driver’s dangerous driving habits, and some students even claimed he intentionally swerved to make students fall out of their seats. The driver had also complained about the students, telling school administrators that the students refused to listen to him while he was operating the bus.
A Driver’s Duty to His Passengers
School bus drivers, perhaps more so than any other commercial operator, have a duty to ensure the safe transport of the students aboard the bus. Certainly, some accidents are unavoidable, but precautions should be taken to avoid those accidents that are preventable. When a driver’s emotions or fatigue get in the way of safely operating a motor vehicle, they put those around them at risk. When someone is injured due to a driver’s poor driving or decision-making, they may pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the driver, seeking compensation for the medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering they endured as a result of the accident.
Have You Been Injured in an Indiana Bus Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in an Indiana bus or car accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation from one or more parties. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, you may have a case against the driver, the driver’s employer, and potentially even against a government entity. Contact the dedicated personal injury attorneys at Parr Richey Frandsen Patterson Kruse to set up a free consultation to discuss your case. We take cases across Indiana and make a point of always putting out clients’ interests first. Call 317-505-1342 to set up a free consultation today.
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Court Affirms Dismissal of Case Against Truck Driver Who Caused Chain-Reaction Accident, Indiana Injury Lawyer Blog, December 1, 2016
Court Discusses Hotel’s Duty to Keep Guests Safe in Recent Opinion, Indiana Injury Lawyer Blog, November 16, 2016