Tragic Truck Accident Interrupts School Field Trip

It is spring in New Jersey. The school year is winding down and it’s the season of field trips. Parents sign permission slips, say ‘have a good time, behave’ and send their kids off for another day at school.  No one expects that their children will be involved in a horrific truck accident.

On Thursday, May 17, at about 10:30 a.m., a group of middle schoolers were on their way to Waterloo Village, a restored historic town. The bus they were riding in collided with a dump truck. The school bus was equipped with seat belts. The accident occurred on westbound I-80 near Mount Olive.

A teacher and a student died as a result of the accident. More than a dozen adults and students were transported to area hospitals. Some were seriously injured and required surgery. The school bus was resting on its side as a result of the crash, and the front of the bus was severely damaged. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Parents trust the care and well-being of their children to the bus drivers, teachers and administrators who interact with their children throughout the school day in New Jersey. When the worst happens, and a child or loved one dies as a result of a truck accident, feelings of shock and grief may be overwhelming. In the wake of their shock and grief, people may want to know where to turn for answers. A conversation with an experienced personal injury attorney may prove beneficial. A knowledgeable attorney may be able to advise them on legal avenues that are open to them that may enable them to receive compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, final costs and pain and suffering.

Source: The Washington Post, “New Jersey school bus crash that killed student, teacher under investigation, officials say“, Debbie Truong, May 18, 2018