Logging Truck Rear Ends Kanawha County School Bus and Leaves the Scene

Back-to-school time is supposed to be an exciting experience. Parents are happy to get the kids back in school after a long summer break, and the kids are equally happy to see their friends and take on the challenges of a new school year.

What no one expects is to get into an accident on the bus ride home from school. It’s even worse when the vehicle that caused the collision didn’t even bother to stop to see what damage or injuries they might have caused.

That is what happened recently in Kanawha County, W. Va., when a logging truck slammed into the back of a school bus carrying 12 students on a Tuesday afternoon near Swans Lane and Winfield Road.

As reported by WOWKTV, no injuries were reported, but medics checked on the students just to be safe.

As for the logging truck, the St. Albans Police Department was able to locate the truck, but there has been no word on whether the driver will face charges.

Not the First School Bus Crash This Year

Sadly, this wasn’t the first crash of a school bus in the new year. There have been four other incidents across the Tri-State. The first occurred on August 15 when a school bus driver allegedly sideswiped a Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority Bus. In that incident, the school bus driver also fled the scene, but they will be charged for that.

Another incident happened on August 19, when a Pikeville Independent Schools bus was rear-ended by another vehicle. The next day, one school bus rear-ended another school bus. On September 2, an SUV rear-ended a school bus.

These are the types of incidents that would make parents anxious, and justifiably so. Thankfully, there have been no injuries reported, but it is important to note that there are specific rules for drivers when it comes to school bus safety. According to West Virginia law, if you approach a school bus with flashing red lights, you need to stop and not overtake the bus until the flashing lights stop and the bus proceeds. Failure to do so can be a traffic violation.

Getting Help from Experienced Charleston Truck Accident Attorneys

If a driver’s negligence causes an accident, you’re entitled to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier to be compensated for any losses.  Hendrickson & Long, PLLC, are experienced Charleston truck accident attorneys who help victims of car accidents pursue a fair settlement.

With accidents involving negligent truck drivers, there could also be additional at-fault parties such as the trucking company, which can share in the responsibility for the accident.

You should also consider that accidents involving a school bus could implicate the school district for not providing adequate training for the drivers or engaging in proper hiring practices. We bring years of investigative experience into every claim to ensure all the right parties are held accountable.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident that was caused by a negligent truck or school bus driver, we want to hear from you.