Seven children and three adults suffered injuries after their yellow school bus crashed into a concrete wall in Bellerose Manor in Queens the morning of Feb. 3. According to Queens News Service report, police responded to a 911 call of a vehicle collision at 239-30 Union Turnpike. When they arrived, officers found that a school bus operated by a 30-year-old woman had crashed after skidding on an icy roadway between Cross Island Parkway and Winchester Road. Officials believe the driver had failed to navigate the roadway and crashed into a concrete wall.
The bus driver was among those injured in the bus accident. Medics transported seven children to a local hospital where they were listed in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. The bus driver and two other adults were taken to a different hospital with non-life-threatening injuries as well. Police said snowfall the previous night caused icy conditions on the roadway. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
School Bus Crashes
School bus accidents due to icy roadways are a serious safety concern, especially in regions that experience harsh winter conditions. Ice-covered roads reduce traction, making it difficult for buses and vehicles to stop, turn or maintain control. Inexperienced drivers tend to struggle even more with black ice, which is nearly invisible and can cause sudden skidding.
School districts and transportation departments must take precautions to minimize risks such as delaying or canceling bus routes during extreme weather. Drivers must also be trained to handle winter conditions including reducing speed, increasing following distances and avoiding sudden braking. Accidents may also occur due to other drivers’ negligence (carelessness) or from mechanical failures.
In the event of a school bus crash, liability may fall on multiple parties including the bus driver, school district, local government agencies responsible for road maintenance or even other motorists. Ensuring buses are properly maintained and drivers receive adequate training are steps can help help prevent these dangerous accidents and protect children taking the bus to school.
Common Injuries Suffered in School Bus Accidents
School bus accidents can cause a range of injuries, depending on the severity of the crash. While school buses are designed for safety, passengers can still be harmed due to sudden stops, rollovers, or collisions. Common injuries include:
- Head injuries: Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur if a student’s head strikes a window, seat, or another object during impact.
- Whiplash: Sudden braking or a collision can cause neck strain or whiplash due to rapid back-and-forth movement.
- Broken bones: Fractures in the arms, legs, or ribs can result from the force of a crash or being thrown against hard surfaces.
- Cuts and bruises: Broken glass, sharp edges or impact with bus interiors can lead to lacerations and bruising.
- Spinal cord injuries: Severe accidents may cause spinal damage, potentially leading to long-term mobility issues or paralysis.
- Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma can cause internal bleeding or damage to organs.
- Psychological trauma: Children can suffer from anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after an accident.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Injured victims of bus accidents may seek compensation from the bus company and/or other responsible parties for damages including medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families that have lost loved ones can seek compensation for damages as well by filing a wrongful death claim.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 53 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. We recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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Source: https://qns.com/2025/02/bellerose-manor-school-bus-crash-monday/