STUDENT INJURED IN BRADENTON SCHOOL BUS CRASH
February 16, 2010 @ 09:54 PM — by SEO Admin
According to Bradenton.com, a Ryder truck slammed into the rear of a stopped school bus this morning, February 16, 2010, on State Road 64 East. The bus had stopped to pick up a Haile Middle School student and had its lights flashing and stop sign extended, when a Ryder truck crashed into the rear of it. The student was taken by ambulance to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. The truck driver is claiming that his brakes failed.
A spokesperson for the school district advised that the children on the bus were wearing their seat belts, possibly preventing more injuries.
This horrible crash brings to light several issues. First, the school district advises that the students on the bus were all wearing their seat belts. Seat belts are not required on buses and the fact that the students on this bus were wearing seat belts, possibly prevented more serious injuries. The second issue is that the driver of the truck claims that his brakes failed. The Florida Highway Patrol will certainly investigate this issue. If the brakes are found to be functioning properly, the driver will probably receive a citation for careless driving. If the brakes are found to be faulty, this would lead to possible claims against the persons who performed maintenance on the truck, or the manufacturer of the truck. Brake issues have been in the news lately with the Toyota recalls and the issues they are having with their brakes.
Lastly, this crash also brings to light rental vehicle liability. The Graves Amendment provides that rental vehicle owners have minimal liability for crashes caused by the negligence of their renters. The Graves Amendment is currently on appeal.
A spokesperson for the school district advised that the children on the bus were wearing their seat belts, possibly preventing more injuries.
This horrible crash brings to light several issues. First, the school district advises that the students on the bus were all wearing their seat belts. Seat belts are not required on buses and the fact that the students on this bus were wearing seat belts, possibly prevented more serious injuries. The second issue is that the driver of the truck claims that his brakes failed. The Florida Highway Patrol will certainly investigate this issue. If the brakes are found to be functioning properly, the driver will probably receive a citation for careless driving. If the brakes are found to be faulty, this would lead to possible claims against the persons who performed maintenance on the truck, or the manufacturer of the truck. Brake issues have been in the news lately with the Toyota recalls and the issues they are having with their brakes.
Lastly, this crash also brings to light rental vehicle liability. The Graves Amendment provides that rental vehicle owners have minimal liability for crashes caused by the negligence of their renters. The Graves Amendment is currently on appeal.