School Bus Driver Facing Criminal Charges for Lake County School Bus Crash

 Posted on February 28, 2022 in School Bus Accidents

Many parents rely on school buses to transport their children to and from school. While the vast majority of school bus trips are completed without incident, car crashes involving school buses can and do happen. Just recently, a school bus driver allegedly caused a crash while students were on board the bus. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt in the accident. The bus driver is now facing charges for drunk driving.

Bus Collision in Deer Park

The crash, which occurred on February 17, 2022, was caused by many different factors. Authorities say that the 61-year-old bus driver was driving north on Ela Road when he made a left turn onto Cuba Road and failed to yield to oncoming traffic. The slick, snow-covered roads made it difficult for other drivers to stop in time, and another vehicle plowed into the bus.

Police officers arrived at the scene of the accident and began investigating the circumstances of the crash. At this point, officers detected signs that the bus driver was intoxicated. Chemical blood alcohol content tests revealed that the bus driver’s BAC was over twice the legal limit. The driver now faces felony charges for aggravated driving under the influence (DUI).

Legal Considerations for Bus Crash Injury Claims

Luckily, the February 17 bus crash did not result in any serious injuries or deaths. However, the National Safety Council reports that school bus crashes cause thousands of injuries each year. In 2019, 109 people were killed in school bus accidents, and another 13,000 were injured.

If your child is hurt in a school bus accident, you may be able to hold the school, school district, or other at-fault parties accountable through a personal injury claim. You may also be able to recover financial compensation for medical bills and other damages. However, bringing a successful claim against a school is especially challenging. Claims against government-run organizations or agencies like schools are subject to special rules and requirements. Claims against municipalities are governed by the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act. Unlike claims against non-government entities, injured victims must demonstrate that the at-fault party’s wrongful actions were “willful and wanton.” Put another way, the at-fault party must have acted with intentional malice. It is not enough to prove that the at-fault party acted negligently. This is why anyone who wishes to file a claim against a local government in Illinois should work with a highly qualified lawyer.

Contact a Lake County Bus Accident Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one were harmed in a bus accident, contact the knowledgeable Waukegan personal injury attorneys at Salvi & Maher, LLP for help. Our team has a proven track record of success, winning multiple six- and seven-figure settlements and awards for clients. Call us at 847-662-3303 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://abc7chicago.com/school-bus-driver-crash-dui-illinois-deer-park/11584273/

https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/school-bus/