Milestone School Bus Accident at Sweetmans Lane and Milestone Road Leaves Four People Injured
MILESTONE, NEW JERSEY (December 2, 2019) – A school bus was involved in a car accident at Sweetmans Lane and Milestone Road that left four people injured.
New Jersey State Police are saying that the accident involved one other vehicle. The force of the impact knocked down a utility pole and injured four people.
Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the school bus driver, the driver of a car and two students on the bus. There were at least 16 students on the bus at the time of the accident.
Multiple students were evaluated by the school nurse when they arrived at school. A portion of Sweetmans Lane was closed for an extended period as authorities continued to investigate what happened.
Liability In Milestone School Bus Accidents
School buses are by far the safest form of transportation for students. But accidents still happen. According to one report from USA Today, “From 2004 to 2013, U.S. drivers were involved in 340,039 fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of those, 1,214, or just .4%, were classified as “school-transportation-related,” involving a school bus or other vehicle functioning as a school bus that was transporting children to or from school or related activities, such as sports or field trips.” There are a number of reasons that school bus accidents take place including:
- Speeding
- Dangerous left turns
- Driver fatigue
- Prescription drug use
- Inclement weather
School buses are considered “common carriers” under the law and are held to a very high standard in terms of safety. They are responsible for even the slightest amount of negligence. Drivers must be particularly cautious in times of inclement weather. Buses can be extremely heavy and are very difficult stop. Victims of school bus accidents are often left with very serious injuries including:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries
- Organ damage
- Seat belt injuries
Not all of the injuries associated with school bus accidents are physical. According to Very Well Mind, “Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) are the leading cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the general population. Each year, there are an estimated six million MVAs in the United States, resulting in over 2.5 million injuries. According to a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) study, 39.2% of MVA survivors develop PTSD.” Victims of school bus accidents are protected by a number of laws.
Any person that is injured in a school bus accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. FMCSA guidelines require buses that can carry 16 or more passengers to purchase at least $5,000,000 worth of liability coverage. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. A school bus accident attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Getting Help After A Milestone School Bus Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our thoughts and prayers to all of the victims of this accident. Any person that may have seen what happened should reach out to the Milestone police department as they continue their investigation. It is our sincere hope that city officials will consider measures to help prevent additional accidents like this.
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 get the medical and financial support that they deserve. Whether you just have questions about the law or need a free investigation into an accident we are here for you. You’re always welcome to reach out to us anytime at 212-471-5106.
