When we put our kids on the bus in the morning, we entrust their safety to the driver and those on the road to protect our kids. Luckily, school bus accidents are rare, but commercial vehicle accidents are not so rare, which makes Monday’s school bus accident so concerning.
The commercial vehicle accident
According to the Valparaiso Police Department, the truck accident occurred Monday morning on Ind. 49 when a semitruck traveling northbound ran a red light at County Road 500 North (Burlington Beach Road), impacting the school bus carrying 16 students. One elementary school student was treated for minor injuries and was released to his parents at the scene, without the need for additional medical treatment. The other students and drivers of both vehicles were unharmed.
After the accident
The school bus served all levels of schools (senior, junior and elementary), and each child was boarded onto another bus to continue on to school. Though, some of the children were picked up by their parents at the scene of the accident.
The intersection was shut down for hours as there were debris from both vehicles, including the metal piping load from the semitrailer. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. And, while no arrests were made, the driver of the semitrailer was ticketed for disregarding a traffic signal.
Options after truck accidents
All of the children and school bus driver who were involved in this accident should seek medical evaluation immediately for both their physical and mental wellbeing. Especially for children who may not recognize health issues as issues, these medical professionals can determine whether the children were injured. If there are injuries, contact an attorney immediately.
Like the accident victims in this case, any Portage and Valparaiso, Indiana, resident that has been the victim of negligence has options. But, to exercise those options, an attorney is needed.
