Multi-Vehicle Accident Involving School Bus Sends Two to Area Hospitals

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on April 9, 2013

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that a recent accident involving a school bus and three other vehicles sent two people to area hospitals. Troopers say that the accident occurred in Eustis around 6:50 a.m. when a man tried to pass the school bus in a no-passing zone. They say that the bus and a pickup truck were westbound on Thrill Hill Road near County Road 44-A when the 53-year-old driver of the truck attempted to pass the bus while it stopped to pick up students. As the 53-year-old DeLand man tried to pass the Lake County school bus, he swerved into oncoming traffic. Troopers say that he swerved right again to avoid colliding head-on with a van driven by a 58-year-old Eustis man and struck the bus. This collision caused the man to lose control of his pickup truck, and he struck the oncoming van. The van swerved in an attempt to avoid the pickup truck and struck another vehicle driven by a 58-year-old Apopka man.

The driver of the pickup was ticketed for reckless driving for attempting to pass the school bus in a no-passing zone and then colliding head-on with oncoming traffic. The school bus was transporting 28 ninth-grade students to the Curtright campus for Eustis High School when the accident occurred. Two of the students suffered minor injuries in the crash, but refused transport to the emergency room. Troopers report that parents of the injured teens arrived after the accident and took them to area hospitals for observation. The DeLand man and the driver of the van he struck were taken to Florida Hospital Waterman in Tavares, where they are being treated for serious injuries.

Everyone knows that passing a stopped school bus is illegal and reckless in the extreme. A child crossing in front of the bus cannot see and has no time to react to a driver who disobeys the flashing lights, extended stop sign and other measures installed on school buses to protect children and alert drivers. In addition to the reckless driving charges, the DeLand man could also be the defendant in personal injury lawsuits filed by the parents of the injured teens and the driver of the van he struck while trying to pass the bus. They were injured by this driver’s recklessness and negligence and have a right to seek damages to pay medical bills and get compensation for pain and suffering and other damages.

Have you or a member of your immediate family been injured by a negligent driver? If so, you may be entitled to fair and just compensation for your injuries. If you would like to speak with an experienced Orlando personal injury attorney, call James O. Cunningham today at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) to schedule a free consultation. He will answer all your questions and advise you of your rights and legal options so that you can make informed decisions about which course of action will be best for you and your family. Before you sign any documents offered by the driver’s insurance company or legal representatives, have them reviewed by Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.