Two school buses full of kids and adults collided in Des Plaines on Friday morning, sending seven to the hospital for examination and treatment. The buses were part of a Des Plaines Park District day camp program with children between the ages of five and 10 on board. The buses were to take the children from Lake Park to a Glencoe beach that morning and the buses loaded as planned.
It appears that one of the buses rear-ended a second bus. In all, there were 73 children and 12 adults, including two drivers, on the buses at the time of the crash. Early reports indicate that one bus cut off another, causing the second bus to strike the first in the rear. The park district contracts the buses for its events but the drivers are reportedly park district employees.
Fortunately the majority of people were unharmed in the accident though seven children were taken to area hospitals. Those who were injured were expected to recover from what appeared to be minor injuries. The parents of all of the 73 children were reportedly notified of the incident, which occurred around 10:17 a.m.
Parents place their trust in school districts and parks programs when it comes to the care and transportation of their children. While school buses may seem like a safe option for your children, the truth is that thousands of children are injured in school bus accidents every year. When a bus is involved in an accident, children may get hurt due to the lack of seatbelts or the great number of students within the bus. Without standard safety features like air bags, these accidents can turn critical or even deadly.
It is fortunate that no one was seriously hurt in this accident but too often, that is not the case. Sometimes what appears to be a minor crash can leave children with serious injuries that require medical treatment, including surgery, hospitalization, and rehabilitative care. When an accident like this occurs, the last thing a parent should have to deal with is an insurance company that gives them the run-around with a claim.
If your child has been in a school bus accident and has been injured, you have rights, as does your child. You may have a claim for your child’s injuries as well as any other damages your family incurred. Often, the insurance companies for schools and buses are difficult to deal with and will not provide the benefits you deserve. That is why it is a good idea to contact a personal injury attorney after an accident occurs.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we are Chicago school bus accident lawyers who only represent victims and never the school bus company. We fight for the rights of those who are hurt in an accident and we help make a recovery on their behalf. If your child has been hurt in a school bus accident, let us provide you with a free case consultation today. We can be reached 24 hours a day at (312) 924-7575.
Prior Blog Entries:
CTA Driver Burned by Coffee-Throwing Rider, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published June 24, 2013.
2-Year-Old Boy Dies after Drowning in Bartlett Pool, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published June 22, 2013.
Resources:
Buses carrying kids in ‘minor’ collision in Des Plaines, officials say, by Jonathan Bullington,Chicago Tribune, published June 21, 2013.