Investigation Underway After 12 People Injured in Staten Island School Bus Collision During Rush Hour
STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK (January 26, 2025) – At least 12 people were injured in a car accident between a passenger vehicle and a school bus in Staten Island.
New York City police officials are saying that the accident took place around 7:21 AM on Wednesday by Targee Street and Roff Street. A car hit the left side of a short yellow school bus.
Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims. In total, 12 people were taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment for their injuries.
One photo of the collision shows the passenger vehicle with substantial front-end damage. A full investigation into the cause of the accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Staten Island School Bus Accidents
Buses are involved in many serious collisions every year. According to the Journalist’s Resource, “on average, about 63,000 buses [of all kinds] are involved in an accident each year; about 14,000 result in an injured person, and 325 result in a fatal injury. About 50 passengers (including the driver) are killed, on average, in an accident each year.” There are a number of steps that bus drivers should take in order to avoid collisions.
- Bus drivers should be well rested before heading out onto the road.
- Bus drivers should check their blind spots before making turns.
- Bus drivers should use their horns when necessary to alert other drivers of their presence.
All bus drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care to avoid collisions. Many collisions involve drivers who are making dangerous left turns. Pursuant to New York Vehicle Code 1141, the driver of any vehicle intending to make a left-hand turn shall yield the right of way to all traffic going through an intersection close enough so as to pose a hazard. If a driver makes a left turn into the path of another vehicle, this could form the basis of a civil claim. Victims of bus accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries.
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Organ damage
- Had trauma
- Death
The school or company that a school bus driver worked for could also potentially be held at fault for a collision. In general, employers are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. It is important for accident victims to understand that they do have legal options. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Investigating New York City Car Accidents
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in the Staten Island school bus accident. It is our sincere hope that they were able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Staten Island school bus accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of school bus accident attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We are committed to helping victims get justice and holding negligent drivers accountable for their wrongful actions. Whether you have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
