Over the course of two days, bus crashes in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois resulted in six fatalities and left as many as 40 people injured – with as many as six victims receiving hospital treatment for serious injuries. In a fourth incident occurring the same day as the accidents in Texas and Pennsylvania, school children suffered minor injuries when their bus collided with a fire truck in Connecticut.
With such serious accidents occurring in such quick succession, this week’s tragic events highlight the risks for passengers, pedestrians and others when bus collisions occur.
City Bus Kills Pedestrian in Downtown Chicago
On Tuesday, June 2, 2015, a 51-year-old Illinois woman was killed when bus operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) ran a red light during rush hour. The bus reportedly drove onto a crowded sidewalk in downtown Chicago, killing the woman and injuring at least seven others. According to reports, the bus driver actually stopped at the red light before proceeding through the intersection and jumping the curb. He had been driving for the CTA for less than a year.
Tour Bus Crash in Pennsylvania Kills Three
Just fifteen hours later, a tour bus on its way to Niagara Falls was involved in a fatal accident with a tractor trailer. Traveling on Interstate 380 in northeastern Pennsylvania, the bus – operated by Academy Bus and chartered by Viaggidea, an Italian tour operator – reportedly collided with the side of the truck. Photos show the mangled front of the bus wedged into the trailer.
The bus driver and two passengers died in the accident. Reports indicate that three or four additional passengers were hospitalized in critical condition.
Texas Charter Bus Rear-Ends Tractor Trailer in Fatal Collision
Just hours after the crash in Pennsylvania, a charter bus carrying migrant workers rear-ended a tractor trailer on Interstate 10 outside of Houston. This accident left the driver and one passenger dead, and resulted in 10 more passengers being taken to the hospital. You can read our full coverage of the Weimar bus accident here.
School Bus Collides with Fire Truck in Connecticut
In a fourth accident, a school bus in Connecticut collided with a fire truck attempting to merge onto Interstate 95. Reports indicate that the fire truck was forced to make an abrupt stop at the onramp due to an ongoing vehicle, and was hit by the bus while the driver was attempting to reposition the truck.
The collision shattered windows on the bus, but fortunately only two of the 27 children on board required treatment for minor injuries. It sounds as though the accident could have been much worse had the circumstances been even slightly different.
As these unfortunate incidents demonstrate, bus accidents can happen anywhere, anytime, and with anyone onboard. If you are injured in a bus accident, you should contact an experienced attorney right away. You may be entitled to significant compensation, and the sooner you take action, the better your chances of maximizing your financial recovery.
At Zehl & Associates, we have recovered more than $1 Billion in compensation and hold the record for the #1 largest auto accident verdict in the State of Texas. To speak with one of our lawyers about your case, call (888) 603-3636 or contact us online today.