Arkansas Injury Lawyer Blog
Around 2:30 a.m. this morning a charter bus was found overturned in a ditch near Hot Springs. The bus was carrying the Orange Mound youth all-star football team and chaperones. The driver of the charter bus lost control of the bus, causing it to skid off the roadway, ultimately landing on its side in a ditch off I30 near the Hot Springs exit. A third-grade child was killed in this bus accident, and at least 45 others were injured. Children between the ages of 8-13 were treated at Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton and Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. Two people were airlifted. The charter bus was owned by a company out of Somerville, Tennessee called Scott Shuttle Service.
Deaths caused by a bus wreck are rare, but obviously no one is immune from the dangers of driving on the interstates and roadways. The bus driver was interviewed by police, but it is unknown at this time why she lost control.
A few common causes of losing control of a bus include:
- Driving too fast for conditions;
- Driving around curves;
- Inattentiveness or fatigue;
- Improper cargo securement;
- Braking;
- Tire malfunctions.
Many times there is something the driver of a bus could do to prevent a bus accident or avoid losing control of the vehicle. Heavy traffic, inattentiveness, fatigue and weather conditions are common conditions that bus drivers deal with each time they get behind the wheel. It is important that bus companies hire qualified individuals to operate a vehicle of this size, and that they train their drivers to be prepared for the unexpected and know how to react in case of an emergency. Driver education is key to the operation of large vehicles. Usually when bus crashes are investigated, the cause of the crash is something that was 100% avoidable.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus crash, contact the Pfeifer Law Firm at 501-374-4440 for a free consultation or chat with our office online.