Six students, a baby, and the driver of an SUV were injured in an Oklahoma car accident involving a school bus. According to a KOCO news report, the school bus accident occurred near NE 39th Street and Anderson Road in Oklahoma City. Officials say the bus was transporting students from Roger Middle School when it collided with the black SUV. The driver of the SUV and an infant were transported to the hospital. Of the occupants on the bus, six students were transported to a local hospital for observation. It is unclear what caused the crash or if either driver will face citations for the collision.
In general, school buses are a safe way to travel. Approximately 24 million students travel by school bus each year. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), school buses have a rate of .2 deaths per 100 million miles traveled. The rate of deaths for cars is eight times higher. Between the years 1994 and 2004, 71 school bus passengers were killed while 31,593 people were killed in car accidents in the year 2004 alone.
When school bus accidents do occur, it is important to properly assess why they occurred and how they could have been prevented. Was the bus driver properly trained and licensed? Was the bus properly maintained? Does the bus have seatbelts? Was the bus driver distracted or otherwise careless? Victims of school bus accidents can pursue compensation for their losses with the help of an experienced lawyer. It is the responsibility of bus companies and of school districts to ensure the safety of their young passengers as well as others on the roadway.
The skilled Oklahoma City bus accident injury attorneys at the Maples Law Firm offer free consultations at (405) 705-5050 to anyone injured in an Oklahoma auto accident. We strive to ensure that our clients receive fair compensation for all injuries and losses they have suffered.
