Mass transit systems, including school buses, were designed to help facilitate the movement of large numbers of people from one place to the next. By taking advantage of public transportation like buses and trains, roadway congestion is reduced and less pollution is produced. However, when accidents occur, such as bus accidents, large numbers of people may suffer serious injuries. If the driver or operator of the bus or train is to blame, the passengers may be able to seek compensation from that driver or the company who employed him or her.
Recently, in northeast Missouri, an accident involving a school bus injured several elementary and high school students. The accident occurred in the afternoon around 3:30 p.m., when the bus rolled over into a ditch. In total, 23 students were injured in the crash, with five of those suffering injuries reported to be serious. The driver of the bus also suffered minor injuries. At this time, the school district has not yet commented on the accident and initial reports did not indicate who was at fault for the accident.
When people get into the driver’s seat of a vehicle, they are accepting the responsibility to drive safely and carefully in order to prevent automobile accidents and injury to other drivers and pedestrians on the roadway. Drivers of vehicles carrying large group of people, like school buses, public buses and trains, have an even greater responsibility because of the number of passengers that they carry. It is critical that these drivers follow all safety and traffic rules, drive unimpaired and ensure that their vehicle is properly maintained. However, many drivers of mass transit fail to take these precautions and serious accidents sometimes result.
In addition to accidents, mass transit drivers also have the responsibility to ensure the safety of their passengers in other ways. This may mean letting the passengers off a bus in a safe way and at a safe location or preventing whiplash or falls from sudden stops and jerky driving. Drivers and mass transit companies can be held liable for the injuries suffered by passengers in a variety of situations, so it is in the best interests of the driver to take due care while on duty.
Source: KMBC-TV Kansas City, “Students injured as school bus crashes in NE Mo.,” April 1, 2014