Hicksville School Bus Accident: Five Special Needs Children Injured In Hicksville School Bus Accident By Jerusalem Avenue and Dante Avenue
HICKSVILLE, NEW YORK (November 12, 2019) – Five special needs children were injured in a school bus accident near the intersection of Jerusalem Avenue and Dante Avenue.
Hicksville police are saying that the accident took place around 2:45 p.m. For reasons that remain under investigation the school bus collided with a Honda Pilot SUV.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the bus accident in order to help all of the victims. Firefighters had to use the jaws of life to free the driver of the Honda Pilot from their vehicle.
Both the driver of the SUV and five of the injured children on the school bus were taken to the Nassau University Medical Center. An investigation into the accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Hicksville School Bus Accidents
School buses are considered “common carriers” under the law and have a heavy responsibility to keep their passengers safe. A common carrier is any company – public or private – that transports goods or passengers for a fee. According to Squaw Valley Ski Corporation v. Superior Court, “The elevated standard of care for common carriers is “based on a recognition that the privilege of serving the public as a common carrier necessarily entails great responsibility, requiring common carriers to exercise a high duty of care towards their customers.” Here are just a few of the most common reasons that school bus accidents occur:
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
- Driver distraction
- Driver intoxication
- Prescription medications
Left-turns, in particular, are one of the most common causes of car accidents at intersections. According to New York Vehicle & Traffic Law Section 1411, “The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.” Victims of school bus accidents tend to suffer from very serious injuries including:
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue damage
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
FMCSA regulations require buses that can carry 16 or more passengers to carry at least $5,000,000 worth of liability coverage. Victims of school bus accidents may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Compensation in a school bus accident can help cover medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. It’s important that evidence is collected after a school bus accident. A bus accident attorney can examine all of the facts of your case free of cost and let you know what your legal options are.
Getting Help After A Hicksville School Bus Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our thoughts and prayers to all of the victims of this tragic accident. Any person that may have seen what happened should reach out to the Hicksville police department. It is our sincere hope that safety measures will be put in place to help prevent more accidents like this in the future.
If you or someone that you care about has been injured in a school bus accident you may have legal recourse. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any legal questions that you may have. We are committed to making sure that accident victims are aware of their rights so that they can make informed decisions. Whether you just have questions about the law or need more information about an accident we are here for you. You’re always welcome to reach out to us anytime at 212-471-5106.
