School Bus Was Turning Left at Time of Bulloch County Car Accident That Injured Man and Child by Veteran’s Memorial Parkway and Cypress Lake Road
BULLOCH COUNTY, GEORGIA (April 29, 2025) – A man and an 8-year-old girl were injured in a Bulloch County school bus accident near the intersection of Veteran’s Memorial Parkway and Cypress Lake Road.
Bulloch County officials are saying that the accident took place just before 8 AM on Friday. A school bus driver was traveling west along the bypass when she made a left turn at a flashing light in front of another vehicle containing a man and his 8-year-old daughter.
The driver of a blue four-door passenger vehicle was unable to avoid the school bus and collided with it. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victims.
The male driver was airlifted to a hospital in Savannah in order to receive treatment. His daughter and passenger in the vehicle was also airlifted to a hospital in Augusta to receive treatment for a head injury.
The Georgia State Patrol is currently conducting an investigation. It remains unclear if the bus driver will face any citations for the collision.
Liability for Bulloch County School Bus Accidents
School buses are typically very safe for their passengers. But these vehicles can be especially dangerous for those in passenger vehicles. According to the National Safety Council, “Of the people injured in school bus-related crashes from 2013 to 2022, about 36% were school bus passengers, 9% were school bus drivers, and 51% were occupants of other vehicles. The remainder were pedestrians, pedalcyclists, and other or unknown.” There are a number of factors that may contribute to a school bus collision.
- Blind Spots: School buses have large blind spots that can easily obscure the presence of pedestrians and smaller vehicles.
- Weight: School buses weigh substantially more than passenger vehicles and are much more difficult to bring to a complete stop.
- Hours of Operation: School buses routinely operate in the early morning hours when visibility is often reduced.
School bus drivers are considered common carriers in the state of Georgia. They are held to a high standard in terms of safety and must do everything in their power to avoid harming passengers and others on the roadway. Many school bus collisions involve drivers that make dangerous left turns. Pursuant to GA Code § 40-6-71, the driver of a vehicle intending to turn left onto a roadway or into an alley must first yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling from the opposite direction that are close enough to constitute an immediate hazard. If a school bus driver makes a left turn into the path of a vehicle, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Furthermore, it is possible that the company or municipality that operates a school bus could be vicariously liable for an accident involving their driver. State agencies in Georgia that control school buses typically have “sovereign immunity” from legal claims, though there are certain exceptions when a covered insured vehicle is operated negligently. As a general principle, employers are vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees–insofar as those employees were operating within the course and scope of their job duties. This may include situations where a school bus driver was dropping off children or on their way to return a vehicle back to its destination. Victims of school bus accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries.
- Broken Bones: Many victims suffer broken bones, particularly in their hands and wrists.
- Lacerations: The sudden impact of a bus collision may result in serious lacerations across a person’s body.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Victims of school bus accidents could also sustain damage to their spinal cord. These are among the most serious injuries and may result in paralysis or some other permanent disability.
- Head Injuries: If an accident victim hits their head on any part of a vehicle, including a window or steering wheel, this could easily result in a very serious head injury.
Many of the injuries associated with school bus accidents are not immediately obvious. It is relatively common for certain injuries to become progressively worse over time. This is why it is so important that accident victims receive a thorough medical evaluation. It is also important that accident victims consult with an experienced school bus accident attorney. An attorney can help victims recover damages for many of the ways that an accident has negatively impacted their life.
Investigating Georgia School Bus Accidents
We at Butler Kahn extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Bulloch County school bus accident. It is our sincere hope that all the victims will be able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable collision that should not have taken place. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the Georgia State Patrol.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Georgia school bus accident? Our team of Atlanta school bus accident attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that negligent drivers are held accountable for their misconduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 678-940-1444.
