Special Forces Airman Killed In Okaloosa County School Bus Accident While Riding Motorcycle Along Highway 98
OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA (January 30, 2023) – A motorcyclist identified as a special forces airman has tragically died in an Okaloosa County school bus accident on Highway 98.
Okaloosa County officials are saying that the collision took place around 2:26 p.m. on Friday. A school bus drove into an intersection and directly into the path of a motorcyclist.
The motorcyclist hit the left side of the school bus. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
Two students were taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment. Despite life-saving measures, the motorcyclist died due to the severity of his injuries.
The motorcyclist was later identified as a special forces airman. A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Okaloosa County School Bus Accidents
School buses can be very safe for bus passengers, but they can be particularly dangerous for motorcyclists, pedestrians and those in passenger vehicles. According to the National Safety Council, “School bus-related crashes killed 54 people nationwide in 2020, down by over 50% compared to 2019 according to National Safety Council (NSC) tabulations of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).” There are a number of steps that school bus drivers should take to avoid collisions.
- School bus drivers should check their blind spots before making turns or proceeding through cross traffic.
- School bus drivers should be well rested before heading onto the road.
- School bus drivers should be well trained and know how their vehicle operates.
All school bus drivers will need to get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Pursuant to Florida Vehicle Code 316.006, the driver of a motor vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle at the intersection traveling from the opposite direction that is close enough so as to pose a hazard. If a bus driver fails to yield the right-of-way to a motorcyclist, that could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Florida is a no-fault accident state. Any person injured in a school bus accident will typically pursue damages through their own insurance policy. However, when a person’s injuries are “catastrophic,” they may be able to pursue damages against the school system a bus driver worked for. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any school bus accident.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- The bus driver’s logbook should be examined.
The family of any person that is killed in a school bus accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the expenses that come with the sudden loss of a loved one. Sadly, though, school districts will often do everything in their power to deny liability for any collision involving their driver. This is why it is so important that all evidence is preserved after a crash.
Investigating A Florida School Bus Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of the special forces airman killed in this collision. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victim’s family.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured due to the negligent actions of another driver? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of motorcycle safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free investigation into any collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
