Recently, in Lucedale, Mississippi, two George County school buses were involved in a serious crash. Officials report that one school bus was stopped, having just let out a group of students, when a second school bus crashed into the back of it. The buses were traveling along Mississippi Highway 26, close to Highway 63. The children aboard the George County school buses ranged from first graders to seniors.
Twenty students were transported to George Regional Hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. The injuries mostly consisted of cuts, bruises, and sprains. One child sustained a broken leg. The most seriously injured student had to be flow by LifeFlight to USA Medical Center in Mobile, AL. She was since released and is expected to make a full recovery.
Witnesses report that the accident was a terrifying sight. Children were screaming and running from the bus, and glass was flying within it. Local law enforcement officers are investigating the accident to determine whether negligence occurred. It is not clear at this time why the second bus failed to stop to avoid the braked first bus.
Across the country, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration estimates that about 19 children are killed in school bus accidents each year. A study conducted by the State Department of Education revealed that in Mississippi, school bus accidents occur at an alarming rate, with over 184 school bus accidents occurring last year. While no fatalities were recorded as stemming from these accidents, numerous injuries, some severe, did result.
In an accident reminiscent of this recent school bus crash, a vehicle rear ended a school bus in Clinton County. Three students were transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries and all reported being frightened from the ordeal. In Brandon, Mississippi, nine school children were injured when their bus was involved in a multi-vehicle accident stemming from a Tahoe running a red light. In this accident, seven students required hospital treatment for injuries sustained.
There have been several recent pushes to require the installation of seat belts on all school buses. While the measures have not yet found success in both the House and Senate, given the number of recent school bus accidents and the public focus on the issue, seat belts may soon become standard issue on school buses across the state. Proponents of safety belts urge that they would keep children safely secured in the seat in the event of an accident, and keep children sitting while the bus is moving, decreasing driver distraction along with the chance for injuries.
Barrett Law PLLC: Seeking Justice for All Victims of Bus or Other Large Vehicle Accidents
The safety of our children is paramount, and this recent bus accident should call the attention of the state to the serious issue of school bus safety. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, whether it be a school bus, public transportation, or charter bus, or any other sort of large vehicle accident, the Mississippi Bus and Large Vehicle Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC can help. Our talented attorney team has assisted the victims of all manner of accidents since 1936. Our attorneys will assist you in obtaining a full compensation for your injuries stemming from the bus or large vehicle accident, including compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to arrange for a free consultation with one of our exceptional accident attorneys.