In a tragic accident that occurred on Jan. 9th this year, a school bus driving elementary students crashed into a car full of high school girls. The after-school crash left a 16-year-old girl dead and three other injured.
The school bus belonging to Eisenberg Elementary School struck a car near New Castle, Delaware around 3:40 pm. According to Colonial School district officials the bus was loaded with 22 students and the car contained four 16-year old girls from William Penn High School.
Teen Pronounced Dead at Scene
The teen that was driving the sedan was pronounced dead at the accident scene. The other three occupants of the car had to be rushed to the nearest hospital. One of the injured girls was in a serious condition while the other two became stable by the night of the accident.
The driver of the car was identified as Jordan Tate by the Colonial School District officials. She was a junior at William Penn High School and a member of the ROTC.
Jordan earned the rank of a senior airman in the school’s Air Force Junior ROTC as reported by the Delaware News Journal. She received several ribbons for community service and participated on the drill team. She also received ribbons for appearance, good conduct, and longevity.
Colonial School District spokeswoman, Lauren Wilson, said that Jordan was a popular young lady with an infectious laughter and smile. She was a nice kid.
Elementary School Students Shaken Up
Several students were shaken up after the traumatic experience. Two 10-year old boys who became hysterical had to be taken to DuPont Children’s Hospital out of precaution. They were later released to their parents as per Colonial officials.
Bus Accident Injury Claims Are Complicated
The laws governing school bus accidents in Delaware are complicated and have multiple layers. These generally require the expertise of a bus accident attorney since they are different from regular motor vehicle accidents.
Filing a claim can be even more complicated when the accident is between a car and a school bus. It is possible for passengers hurt in a bus accident due to negligent driving of another driver to have a third-party claim. However, if the bus driver is poorly trained and could have avoided the accident, the sole liability rests with the bus company.
Parents of School Bus Victims Are Entitled To Compensation
Parents may be entitled to financial compensation and benefits under Delaware personal injury law. It is recommended that parents consult with experienced bus accident lawyers to go about the right way of filing a claim.