A school bus headed to Pacetti Bay Middle School was carrying 10 students on November 18 when it was involved in an accident before 7 a.m. in St. Johns County. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the bus is believed to have left Interstate 95 and slammed into a row of trees. Most of the students escaped out of the windows of the bus after the crash.
An 11-year-old called 911 to alert police and seek help. One of the students was trapped inside the mangled bus, requiring firefighters to spend almost an hour cutting the bus apart to free him. He was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries, although his condition improved after treatment. Four others were driven to a local hospital for evaluation.
The 69-year-old driver of the bus has been charged with careless driving and suspended by the school district until an internal review of the crash is completed.
Options for those injured in school bus crashes
While school buses are traditionally the safest way for children to get to school, they still present a variety of dangers. While many bus-related injuries occur as students enter or exit a bus, some happen while kids are passengers. The lack of seatbelts on most buses means that children may be seriously hurt when an accident occurs.
Families of students who have been injured in a school bus wreck often seek compensation from the school system or bus company that provided the transportation service. If your family is considering a claim against a school board or any other government entity, it is important to contact an attorney quickly. This type of claim often requires victims to file paperwork within weeks or months of their injury. A failure to meet these deadlines could result in your claim being barred.
If you or your child has been hurt in a Florida bus accident, contact a knowledgeable Bradenton bus accident lawyer with Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.