Worth County Officials Investigating School Bus Rollover Accident on Massey Airport Road Near Sylvester

SYLVESTER, GEORGIA (March 19, 2024) – At least 20 students were injured in a Worth County school bus accident after the bus rolled over on Massey Airport Road near Sylvester.

Worth County officials are saying that the incident took place around 7:20 a.m. on Tuesday. The bus was on its way to drop students off at a school in Sylvester.

For some reason, the bus driver veered onto the east shoulder before over-correcting and ending up in a ditch. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help all of the victims.

An estimated 20 children were injured in the crash, and many were taken to the hospital. Some of the victims sustained broken bones, and others required staples for major cuts.

The bus driver has since been cited for failing to maintain their vehicle in a single lane of traffic. A full investigation into the Worth County school bus accident remains ongoing.

Liability For Worth County School Bus Accidents

Buses are typically very safe for bus passengers. But the size and weight of commercial buses also make them much more vulnerable to rollover collisions. According to the NHTSA, “The most dangerous bus accident is the rollover. An accident statistics – collected by the author containing more then 300 accidents – shows that the average casualty rate is 25 casualties/accident. There are four major injury mechanisms in a rollover which may endanger the occupants: intrusion, projection, total and partial ejection.” There are a number of factors that could contribute to a bus rollover accident.

• Speed: Buses are inherently less stable at higher rates of speed.
• Driver Error: A driver could make a number of mistakes that may lead to a rollover including overcorrecting, misjudging curves, and distracted driving.
• Vehicle Design:Buses are naturally top-heavy, which makes them inherently more susceptible to rolling over.
• Weather Conditions: Both high winds and slick roadways from rain or snow can contribute to a bus rollover.
• Mechanical Failures: Issues with tires, brakes, or steering can lead to a driver losing control prior to a rollover.

Bus companies are considered “common carriers,” and their drivers are held to a very high standard in terms of safety. Bus drivers must do everything in their power to keep their passengers safe. This includes obeying all traffic regulations. Pursuant to Georgia Code § 40-6-48, “A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.” If a driver fails to maintain their vehicle in a single lane of traffic and is involved in a collision, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.

The company or municipal entity that employed a bus driver could also be liable for a collision. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. This will typically include instances where a bus driver is transporting passengers. There may also be numerous other liable parties for any school bus accident.

A large portion of bus rollovers involve tire blowouts or some other type of vehicle system failure. During a tire blowout, a bus driver could easily lose control and then rollover after overcorrecting. If this is the case, the company that manufactured the tire involved could be held at fault. Companies have a legal obligation to create products that are reasonably safe and free from design defects. There are many steps that should be taken after any bus accident.

• Photos of the accident site should be taken.
• Medical records related to any injuries should be preserved.
• The bus driver’s work logbook should be reviewed.
• An experienced Atlanta bus accident lawyer should be contacted.

School bus accidents can be extremely challenging for both students and their parents. An injury can leave victims with high medical bills and necessitate that they take time away from school to recover. Many injuries are so serious that they could impact a person’s mobility and quality of life for the rest of their life. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have rights. The family of any child injured in a school bus accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a bodily injury claim.

Investigating Sylvester School Bus Accidents

We at Butler Kahn extend our best wishes to all of the students injured in this crash and their families. It is our sincere hope that all of the children will be able to make a full recovery. The school district needs to do the right thing and be transparent about what went wrong.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Sylvester school bus accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of Atlanta bus accident lawyers is here to help you. We care deeply that accident victims get the support and justice that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 678-940-1444.