School Bus Accident

Christina Medlin

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A minivan collided with a school bus carrying 31 students to Durant Road Middle School in Raleigh, Wake County, NC. Fourteen (14) students and the bus driver were sent to the hospital. The driver of the minivan refused medical care. Although the driver of the minivan stated she had a green light, witnesses at the scene of the accident stated otherwise. The driver of the minivan was charged with a red-light violation. The impact of the collision caused significant property damage to the school bus and the passenger side of the minivan. The posted speed limit in the area is 45 mph; however, the minivan driver is believed only to have been traveling 30 mph. This accident occurred on February 22, 2008 around 7:00 a.m.

In North Carolina, school buses are not equipped with seat belts or any other apparatus to protect passengers/children when an accident occurs. Arguably, the weight, size, and design of school buses are intended to protect children when in a collision. According to National Coalition for School Bus Safety, between 1991-1996, 62,000 children have been injured in school bus accidents. When a child is injured in an accident, regardless of how significant the impact, parents/guardians should seek medical attention for the child. Each passenger has a right of recovery of injuries sustained and that monetary relief should be sought after regardless if the driver of the bus or another motorist is at fault. There are obstacles - such as governmental immunity and lack of sufficient coverage for those injured. However those issues should be addressed by a lawyer and not hinder an injured person from seeking recovery.