Wednesday afternoon, at about 3:45 pm, a school bus driving on Mahoney Road in Roane County overturned, injuring at least nine children. The bus was carrying children from Oliver Springs High, Oliver Springs Middle and Dyllis Elementary schools. Their injuries range from cuts and abrasions to a possible separated shoulder.
The bus rolled to its side when rounding a turn, after which it fell down an embankment. The driver was not injured and no citations or charges have been issued, although an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.
Approximately 12,000 children are injured in school bus accidents each year, with an average of 11 deaths. There are a number of issues that could be involved in school bus accidents including driver negligence, poor road conditions, lack of safety features, improper vehicle maintenance, defective products, lack of supervision of children and more.
Hearing that your child was injured in an accident is a parents worst nightmare. When it happens while they are in the care of someone you trust to protect them, it only makes matters worse. Although most injuries from school bus accidents are minor, there is a very real possibility of long-term damage, affecting your childs ability to have a normal, healthy life. On top of this, there are huge medical costs to consider.
One of the complexities of lawsuits involved in Tennessee school bus accidents is the concept of sovereign immunity. The Tennessee Government Tort Liability Act, passed in 1973, gives counties and their employees immunity from liability for certain activities. There are exceptions that remove this immunity in several instances, including willful misconduct or gross negligence.
Pertaining to bus accidents, negligent operation of a motor vehicle or negligent construction or maintenance of public streets may remove this immunity. However, the act makes pursuing a claim against the government quite complicated.
If your child has been injured in a school bus accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Consult with an experienced Tennessee bus accident attorney to help get you the maximum compensation amount. Contact an injury lawyer from Greg Coleman Law today to get the justice you deserve.
Call (865) 247-0080 or fill out our evaluation form for a free consultation.
