Some West Virginia residents may have heard about an accident in New Jersey involving an SUV and a small-sized school bus that left one dead and several injured. The collision took place during the morning hours of Feb. 4 in Bridgeton.

The accident occurred approximately 35 miles south of Philadelphia as a Bridgeton Public School bus was taking special needs students to schools in a different district. Following the collision, the bus landed on its side off the roadway, and the smashed SUV was stopped in the opposite lane. Four of the children on the bus were injured but not seriously, and two adults, who were an aid and the bus driver, were injured and needed hospitalization. The adult bus aide’s injuries were severe. The driver of the SUV received fatal injuries and was declared dead at the crash scene. The ages of the schoolchildren riding on the bus range from 11 to 17.

In many instances, negligent driving can lead to serious car accidents, leaving those involved to experience catastrophic and life-threatening injuries. Under these circumstances, the injured victims may wish to pursue compensation for their losses by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault motorist.

An attorney who has experience in personal injury litigation can assist an injured party by reviewing the official investigation report as well as other evidence in order to demonstrate that the wreck was caused by a negligent action such as speeding, distracted driving or driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Damages that are sought could include compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other applicable amounts.

Source: CBS News, “Deadly collision between school bus, SUV in New Jersey”, Associated Press, Feb. 4, 2016