School Bus Accidents Prompt Wisconsin DOT to Address Bus Driver Requirements

Two school bus accidents in as many days have prompted Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) officials to address the need for properly trained bus drivers and to reiterate the criteria for the job.

On Wednesday, March 4, a bizarre incident injured one man when a school bus drove through a home in Lakeside. No children were on the bus but a man standing in front of the home was taken to the hospital for treatment.

The most recent accident happened Thursday at the intersection of 91^st Street and West Hampton Avenue at approximately 7 a.m. When a Riteway school bus driver collided with a car, two children who were passengers on the bus were injured, and the driver of the opposing vehicle was trapped inside their vehicle. The children were treated for minor bumps and bruises but the driver of the car had to be removed by emergency personnel and was rushed to the hospital. The driver of the bus and 13 of its passengers were not harmed.

…a bizarre incident injured one man when a school bus drove through a home in Lakeside.

There is currently no word on the condition of the injured driver.

Regarding the accidents, Rebecca Knaack of Lamers Bus Company told Milwaukee CBS affiliate Channel 58 that those who apply for a bus driver position must have experience as a commercial vehicle operator or take four written tests. There’s also a medical exam and a criminal background check, followed by training behind the wheel.

All of this is done, Knaack says, to ensure that the people behind the wheels of our states school buses are quality drivers. Unfortunately, accidents are bound to happen, but that makes having qualified, experienced bus drivers available for our school districts all the more important.

Luckily for the families of the children aboard, Thursdays accident did not result in any serious injuries, but, like truck accidents, collisions that involve buses very often have serious consequences for the other vehicles involved.

If you have been hit by a bus, contact a personal injury lawyer in Milwaukee to discuss your legal options. The auto accident lawyers are our firm are ready to listen to the details of your claim today.

Call 414-333-3333 or fill out our free case evaluation form.