2 Students Killed in Carroll County School Bus Crash
School bus crashes are rare but when they do occur, they can be devastating. Sadly, a recent accident in Tennessee left two students dead.
Two students aboard a Montgomery County school bus were killed and several others were injured in a multi-vehicle crash that occurred on the afternoon of March 27 in Carroll County. The fatal accident happened at the intersection of Highway 70 and Cedar Grove.
Three vehicles were involved in the crash: the school bus, a Tennessee Department of Transportation dump truck, and a Chevrolet Trailblazer.
There were reportedly 25 students and five adults aboard the bus. Two students died at the scene. Several others were injured. Seven helicopters were used to transport patients to trauma centers in Nashville and Memphis. A woman said her daughter was on the bus and had to be airlifted to the hospital with numerous injuries.
The school bus was transporting students and employees from Kenwood Middle School to Jackson, Tennessee for a field trip at the time of the crash. The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. However, it did not appear that the Tennessee Department of Transportation contributed to the crash.
Dangers of School Bus Crashes
School buses are generally one of the safest forms of transportation for children, but when crashes do occur, they can be especially dangerous due to the number of passengers involved and the unique design of buses. Here are some dangers associated with school bus crashes:
- High passenger volume. A single bus can carry dozens of students. In a crash, this increases the risk of multiple injuries at once, which can overwhelm emergency responders and delay treatment.
- Lack of seat belts. Many school buses rely on “compartmentalization” (closely spaced padded seats) instead of seat belts. While this offers protection in some situations, students can still be thrown from their seats during sudden impacts, especially in rollover or side-impact crashes.
- Rollover risk. Because buses are tall and have a high center of gravity, they are more prone to tipping or rolling over during sharp turns or high-speed collisions. Rollovers can lead to severe injuries or fatalities.
- Size and weight differences. In collisions with smaller vehicles, the force of impact can be significant. While the bus itself may withstand damage better, passengers inside can still suffer serious injuries from the sudden force.
- Driver visibility and reaction time. Buses have large blind spots and require longer stopping distances. If other drivers behave unpredictably or the bus driver has limited visibility, the risk of a crash increases.
Contact Us Today
It is devastating when school bus accidents injure or kill students on board. These crashes can be complex, but the right legal help can pay for damages.
A Mt. Juliet bus accident lawyer from The Law Offices of Christopher Eads, PLLC can help. We offer a proven track record and a client-centered approach to help you get the compensation you and your family deserves. Schedule a consultation today by calling (615) 622-6060 or filling out the online form.
Source:
wkrn.com/news/local-news/deadly-crash-involving-school-bus-reported-in-carroll-county/
