GLOUCESTER, NJ — Eleven students were hurt in an accident between a school bus and an SUV that happened in Gloucester Township, New Jersey on Thursday, April 16th, 2015. Local news reports mentioned that the accident took place around 7:30 Thursday morning.
Eleven students were hurt when the school bus they were aboard and an SUV collided while driving on Berlin-Cross Keys Road. Authorities tasked with leading the investigation said that the bus struck the SUV while making a left turn.
Eleven people were taken to the hospital with unspecified injuries following the accident.
The investigation is being handled by local law enforcement agencies.
Scene of the Accident
View of the Road
Commentary:
The news mentioned an interesting snippet about this accident that I know a lot of people are just going to pass over, but in reality, this tidbit is actually a very important piece of the puzzle when it comes to putting together who is responsible. Sources said that the bus was not operated by a school district, but was actually run by a private transportation company. What does this mean? Well, quite a bit actually. This would actually take all the roadblocks and speed bumps the government has set up to protect itself from claims had this been a normal, school district run bus. Instead, the claim may be against a private company, which makes things considerably simpler.
Now, reports said that the bus hit the SUV while attempting a left turn, so where did bus driver go wrong? Before any vehicle, especially one we trust to transport our kids makes a turn, the driver is required to ensure the path they are about to turn into is clear of any oncoming traffic. If the bus sideswiped the SUV, chances are, the bus driver failed to keep out a sharp enough eye. If this turns out to be how the accident happened, then the transportation company needs to be backed against a wall and made to take responsibility for the carelessness of a school bus driver they hired. Any company that transports school children needs to be held to the highest possible standards, and any carelessness should never go unpunished so the company can continue on with no consequences.
— Grossman Law Offices
