6 Injured In Semi Truck-School Bus Crash
The dangers of a semi truck hitting a passenger car are clear. The car usually gets totaled, and the occupants tend to suffer catastrophic injuries or even death.
When a semi truck hits a school bus, major injuries can still occur, even though school buses are strong vehicles. A recent crash involving a school bus has led to injuries for several children.
The crash happened on the afternoon of March 30 in Inglis, in Levy County. A child was exiting a school bus on US-19, near SE 140th Lane, when a semi truck rear-ended it, despite the bus’ flashing red lights activated. It is unknown why the semi truck did not slow down.
Ten students were on the school bus at the time of the accident. Five children were injured and taken to Shands Hospital for medical treatment. Two were seriously injured and had to be airlifted. The bus driver suffered minor injuries. The driver of the semi truck was not injured. No criminal charges have been filed at this time.
Causes of Semi Truck Accidents
Truck drivers have an important job. They haul goods from place to place in a huge vehicle that may weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. This is no easy task.
These trucks often have long trailers, which can make them hard to control. A lack of training can make accidents more likely to occur.
Driver error is a major issue. There are many mistakes that truck drivers can make while behind the wheel, including:
- Truck drivers are carrying heavy loads and need to take things slow. However, many are in a hurry, as they are running on tight deadlines. They go beyond the speed limit, making it harder to slow down the truck in time to avoid an accident.
- Truck drivers often work long hours. Even though there are hours of service regulations in place, not all trucking companies or drivers abide by them. This can cause drivers to become fatigued, making crashes more likely.
- Truck drivers drive for many miles and they may get bored along the way. They may get distracted by their cell phone or the radio. They may even daydream and get lost in thought. When they are not fully focused on the road, they can cause serious accidents.
- Being under the influence of drugs and alcohol is common for truck drivers, as they will use various substances to try to stay awake. These substances, however, can affect their judgment and reaction times.
Seek Help for Your Truck Accident Case
While school buses are very sturdy, they can still suffer serious damage in a crash, especially one with a semi truck.
The Dade City & Zephyrhills truck accident attorneys at Madonna Law Group can assist you with the legal aspects of a semi truck crash. These cases can be complex, so get started on your case right away. Fill out the online form or call (800) 557-0411 to schedule a consultation.
Source:
wtsp.com/article/news/regional/florida/levy-county-school-bus-semi-crash/67-08a83581-05d4-42fa-b9c3-e822a32204cb