Several People Seriously Injured In Spring Valley School Bus Collision On Southgate Drive After School Bus Drove Into House
SPRING VALLEY, NEW YORK (December 8, 2022) – Multiple people were injured in a Spring Valley crash when a school bus carrying children left the road and crashed into a home along Southgate Drive.
Spring Valley officials are saying that the accident took place in the morning on Thursday, December 1. A school bus filled with children was heading down the road when the driver lost control and struck the side of a house.
Photos of the accident site showed major damage to both the bus and the house. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of those that sustained injuries.
At least two people were transported to the hospital in order to receive treatment for serious injuries. One child was reportedly in critical condition.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Spring Valley Bus Accidents
School buses are typically very safe. But they can also be very difficult to maneuver and they pose serious safety challenges in the event of a collision. According to the National Safety Council, “School bus-related crashes killed 54 people nationwide in 2020, down by over 50% compared to 2019 according to National Safety Council (NSC) tabulations of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).” There are many different factors that could contribute to a school bus collision.
- Poor road conditions
- Distracted driving
- Inclement weather
- Driver fatigue
- Traveling too fast
School bus drivers must get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. According to the FMCSA, “CDL holders are held to a higher standard when operating any type of motor vehicle on public roads. Serious traffic violations committed by a CDL holder can affect their ability to maintain their CDL certification.” Operating a school bus requires a different set of skills and knowledge than driving a passenger vehicle. School buses have large blind spots that can make them more difficult to drive safely.
All school bus drivers must exercise due care to avoid collisions. This includes obeying all speed limits. No driver may operate their vehicle at a speed greater than would be safe or reasonable given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. Even driving the speed limit could be dangerous when it is raining or when there is heavy traffic. If a school bus driver is negligent, their employer could potentially be held at fault. Generally speaking, employers can be liable for the wrongful actions of their employees who are performing their job duties. Victims of bus accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
Any person that is injured in a school bus collision may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Unfortunately, it is common for school districts to deny all liability for any collision involving their driver. A bus accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case free of cost and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A New York School Bus Accident
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to all of the children and adults injured in this bus accident. It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of all of the victims.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured due to the negligence of a school bus driver? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
