Some of the biggest fears that exist for parents today is a distracted driver injuring their son or daughter at bus stops. As cell phones and other gadgets have an increasing influence in our lives, they can also lead to drivers becoming less attentive on the road. This can be a deadly mix, especially early in the morning near bus stops. Unfortunately, multiple school bus stop accidents across the country have left five children dead in a span of three days. The incidents occurred in Pennsylvania, Florida, Mississippi, and Indiana. All of these incidents have brought more attention to distracted driving and pedestrian safety in towns and cities across the country.

Indiana Fatal Bus Stop Accident

The incident that started this fatal span occurred in a rural town in Indiana. The accident happened on Tuesday, October 30 when a nine-year-old student and her twin six-year-old brothers were crossing a street to board their bus. According to their uncle, the girl held the hands of her brothers and attempted to shield them from the oncoming vehicle, a pickup truck.

The driver of the truck, 24, was arrested and charged with three counts of felony reckless homicide. The driver was also charged with misdemeanor passing of a school bus that had its safety arm extended. The driver was released on a bond of $15,000. A fourth student was injured in the accident and was airlifted to a hospital in Fort Wayne.

Deadly School Bus Stop Accident in Pennsylvania

On Thursday, November 1 a boy was discovered dead at his bus stop by a bus driver in Franklin Township, a town in Central Pennsylvania. The boy was reportedly killed when he was run over by a vehicle at a slow rate of speed. Police obtained a search warrant for a vehicle that was seen in the area and the driver has been questioned.

The bus driver who discovered the seven-year-old boy was driving the designed route. The driver called 911 and waited with the child until emergency personnel arrived. The boy’s body was found on the side of the road near his home.

Mississippi School Bus Stop Accident Fatality

On Wednesday, October 31 a nine-year-old boy was struck and killed at a bus stop in Tupelo, Mississippi. The boy was crossing the street to board his bus when he was hit by a vehicle driven by a 22-year-old man. The driver was charged with aggravated assault. Bond for the driver was set at $10,000.

Florida Bus Stop Accident Injuries

Also on Wednesday, October 31, a kindergartner was injured when struck by a vehicle driven by a 19-year-old in Tallahassee, Florida. The child was crossing the street to get on the bus when the accident occurred. According to police, the driver noticed too late that the bus was stopped for a student and had its safety arm extended. The driver was issued two traffic tickets and has apologized to the boy and his family. The boy is reportedly home and doing well.

Also in Florida, five students and two adults had to be taken to hospitals in Tampa after being hit by a vehicle. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening, according to authorities. Three of the students are six, one is nine, and one is 12. According to witnesses, a Ford Escort that was being driven at high speeds in a residential area hit the students and adults on the side of a street. The 47-year-old driver remained at the scene of the crash and authorities are not positive if speeding was a factor.

Contact a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your School Bus Stop Accident Case in Pennsylvania

Did your child sustain serious injuries due to a school bus stop accident in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party, or their insurance company, to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side and fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The Law Office of Mark A. Smith represents clients injured due to distracted drivers and school bus stop accidents in Pittsburgh, Homestead, Erie, Greensburg and throughout Pennsylvania. Contact the Law Office of Mark A. Smith to schedule a free consultation about your case.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.