Bus Accident Sends Entire Hockey Team to the Hospital

 Posted on January 25, 2017 in Personal Injury

DuPage County personal injury attorneysA bus trip can be a unique, fun experience for many different organizations. School groups often use buses for field trips, while social clubs may charter a bus for a day of shopping or a trip to a casino. Sports teams consisting of athletes of all ages also rely on buses to get to road games and tournaments. In most cases, such trips are relatively uneventful, but when a bus full of passengers is involved in an accident, the results can be tragic.

Rollover Outside Peoria

Late last week, the Columbus Cottonmouths hockey team was traveling by bus on its way to Peoria, Illinois, for a weekend series against the Peoria Rivermen. The team had come all the way from Georgia and was nearing the end of the trip when the bus slid off the on-ramp to Interstate 74 from Interstate 155. The bus—along with an equipment trailer it had been towing—flipped onto its side in a cornfield, trapping two dozen passengers inside.

First responders were forced to cut holes in the top of the bus get injured passengers out, and the entire team was transported to local hospitals. Three individuals were listed in serious condition while most of the other injuries consisted of relatively minor bumps and bruises. Reports indicate that the driver of the bus was cited for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident, but the crash remains under investigation.

Dangers of Bus Travel

Buses of any kind can be very dangerous. Most are not equipped with seatbelts for passengers, and it is not uncommon for passengers to be moving around while the bus is moving at high speeds. Additionally, the size and weight distribution of buses can cause them to become very unstable if the driver is not vigilant. If an accident does occur, passengers can easily be thrown from their seats and injured.

Seeking Compensation

If you have been injured as a passenger in a bus accident, you may have several options for pursuing compensation. The driver of the bus may be liable if he or she was negligent or took action that led to the accident. In some cases, the bus company may also share in the liability, as it is the bus company’s responsibility to ensure that its employees a act in manner that protects the safety of its customers. You may also seek compensation from other drivers who may have contributed to the accident as well.

At Martoccio & Martoccio, we fight on behalf of bus accident victims to help them seek the compensation they need to put their lives back together. To learn more about our firm and how we can assist you, contact one of our experienced DuPage County personal injury lawyers today. Call 630-920-8855 for a free consultation.

Sources:

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article127489969.html

http://www.pjstar.com/sports/20170119/rivermen-opponent-columbus-team-bus-in-i-74-rollover-accident

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