Two People Killed, 45 Students From Farmingdale High School Injured In Orange County School Bus Accident On Interstate 84
ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK (September 24, 2023) – Two people died and dozens were injured after a bus carrying band camp students overturned on I-84 in Orange County.
Orange County officials are saying that the accident took place around 1:12 p.m. on Thursday. A bus was traveling down Interstate 84 when it left the roadway and rolled several times before coming to rest in a patch of trees.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims. Despite life-saving measures, two people died due to their injuries.
Investigators believe that a faulty front tire may have contributed to the crash. The bus driver involved in the collision was also listed as an “unacceptable operator.”
A full investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Orange County Bus Collisions
Tire blowouts are one of the major causes of deadly car accidents in the United States. According to one report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2019 alone 612 people died in tire-related crashes. Thousands more are left with serious injuries. One of the best ways to prevent tire blowouts is to perform proper maintenance on tires. For example, tires should be properly inflated to the correct level. Tire should also be periodically rotated, balanced and aligned. Drivers should take several steps during a blowout in order to avoid losing control.
- For starters, remain calm after a blowout.
- Resist the urge to step on the brakes. Stepping on the brakes can lead a vehicle to become unstable.
- Accelerate slightly and try to steer as straight as possible.
- Slowly ease off the accelerator and pull over when it’s safe to do so.
- Turn on the emergency lights and call for help.
There could be many sources of liability after a bus accident. For starters, a bus company could be liable for a bus accident if a bus driver made poor decisions after a blowout. As discussed already, there are some measures drivers can take to avoid rolling over after any tire blowout. Unfortunately, though, many drivers panic after a rollover and jerk the steering wheel. Instead of helping, this often increases the odds that a driver will lose control.
The company that manufactured a bus tire could also be liable for a collision. Companies have a legal responsibility to make products that are reasonably safe. To that end, companies should regularly perform safety tests on their products. Small defects in the chemical bonding process in a tire tread could easily lead to a blowout which is followed by an accident. Victims of tour bus accidents tend to suffer very costly injuries including:
- Brain Injuries: Even a mild traumatic brain injury can leave victims with permanent neurological problems.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: An injury to the spinal cord might make it impossible for someone to walk again. Even if they can walk, they could be left with a life-time of pain.
- Broken Bones: Bone fractures can be both painful and extremely disruptive. They might force someone to miss work for months as their injury heals.
Bus companies are supposed to perform periodic maintenance on their vehicle’s tires. But this does not always happen. In far too many situations, companies cut costs in ways that jeopardize safety. It is important for accident victims to understand that they do have rights. Any person that is injured in a bus accident may have legal recourse through a civil claim.
Investigating Orange County Bus Accidents
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of those killed in this Orange County bus accident. It is our sincere hope that the other victims will be able to make a full recovery. Steps need to be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in an Orange County bus accident? Our team of bus accident attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
