Jacksonville Personal Injury Blog

Fortunately, the school bus driver was the only person onboard a Deerfield Beach Elementary School bus when it crashed into a home on Northeast 7th Avenue off Hillsboro Boulevard. The woman at home was watching morning television news when the bus hit her house at about 8 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2. The 64-year-old bus driver of Tamarac said he lost the brakes on the bus and panicked as he ran through a parking lot, a concrete wall, then into the cement block home, damaging it extensively.

The woman inside the home was not injured and fortunately the bus driver had just dropped student off at school. He will be on administrative leave with pay and cited for careless driving, though it is unclear in this story from The Sun-Sentinel why, if there were defective brakes on the yellow school bus, he should be punished. A witness said the driver did not seem aware that the crash had happened.

Defective School Bus?

The Jacksonville bus accident lawyers at Farah & Farah understand that brakes on a school bus are supposed to be inspected every month along with a complete inspection of the safety of the school bus. If the brakes were defective, we’re lucky no children lost their lives from the out-of-control school bus.

School buses carry more than 23 million school children daily in the U.S. and the National Transportation Safety Board finds that about 7 school bus passengers are killed every year. There are far more fatalities on school crosswalks and from motorists failing to follow the law and stop when children are disembarking the bus.

The training of school bus drivers is a critical link to keeping children safe and secure. An incident such as this can only help the school determine if the bus driver is the right person to be behind the wheel, or if he exposes the school to legal liability by endangering students.

Source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/deerfield/fl-deerfield-bus-house-20111102,0,1284290.story

The newspaper USAToday is chastising the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for undercounting the number of fatalities aboard the nation’s motor coaches therefore avoiding initiating tougher regulations. Between 1995 and 2009 at least 84 deaths of bus riders or drivers were not counted, found investigators for the newspaper who searched through government records and news reports.

With NHTSA reporting 133 motor coach fatalities between 2003 and 2009, the newspaper found an additional 32 deaths that weren’t counted and 42 deaths missing from the number of bus crashes between 2000 and 2009.

A spokesperson for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety says by undercounting fatalities, the bus industry can tout itself as safer than it really is. With more than 750 million passengers traveling on motorcoaches each year, on average 20 are killed every year and more than 7,800 are injured. In a rollover, about three-quarters of the bus occupants who are killed, are ejected.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been looking into fatal motorcoach crashes for more than 40 years. For example, seat belts were first suggested by the NTSB in 1968.

In 2009, NHTSA released a Motorcoach Safety Plan requiring electronic on-board recording devices on all motorcoaches to monitor drivers’ hours and fatigue, along with a ban on using cell phones to text or call by motorcoach drivers. NHTSA also has electronic stability control, three-point seat belts, roof crush standards.

With these proposals and no action, Congress has introduced the Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act (MESA) to address the lacking safety requirements of the motorcoach industry. That would include seat belts at each seat, an improved roof crush standard and anti-ejection advanced window glazing. Advocates is supporting the Motorcoach Enhances Safety Act (MESA) saying it’s about time to make motorcoaches a safe form of transportation.

Sources: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/06/29/national/main20075419.shtml, http://www.saferoads.org/files/file/MESA%20112th%20Congress%20Introduction%20Press%20Release.pdf; http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/Vehicle%20Safety/Articles/Associated%20Files/481217.pdf, http://www.stnonline.com/home/latest-news/3465-ntsb-updates-most-wanted-list-addresses-improved-motorcoach-safety and http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/news/news-releases/2011/FMCSA-Strategic-Plan.aspx

It was a frightening trip to school on Tuesday morning, April 19, for some Jacksonville elementary school children after their bus T-boned a motorist who had run a red light. The Florida Times-Union reported that five out of 23 children on the bus were taken to Baptist Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries after the 7:50 a.m. collision.

The bus was heading to Love Grove Elementary School when the crash occurred at the intersection of University Boulevard and Coronet Lane on the Southside. According to Jacksonville police, the driver of a Mercury car pulled into the intersection and was hit by the school bus, causing the car to rotate and hit a truck before coming to a rest. The bus driver also hurt her leg but declined a trip to the hospital.

Two mothers arrived on the scene to take their children to their own doctors for evaluation. The children said they lurched forward when the accident happened and at least one fell on the floor of the bus and another had neck and head pain. An investigation of the Jacksonville bus accident is ongoing and law enforcement tells the newspaper that the driver of the Mercury will be cited for the collision.

The Jacksonville bus accident attorneys of Farah & Farah hope you never get a call that your child has been involved in a school bus accident.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in a 2004 report found that a total of six children were killed in school bus-related crashes in the state between 1998 and 2002, with the majority of fatalities occurring as children loaded or unloaded the bus.

It is often the motorist who causes a school bus collision and while front impact accidents cause the most injuries, a rear-end crash is more common. If you see a motorist who fails to stop at a bus safety stop sign you are encouraged to call 1-888-STOP-4-Kids, a hotline set up to report motorists who violate the safety of children around a school bus.

Fortunately, there were no school children on a school bus during an early morning accident in Pinellas County, Wednesday, September 1, according to WTSP. The crash happened about 6 a.m. when a pickup truck was turning off 130th Street onto Ulmerton Road attempting to go east. He crossed westbound traffic, which included the school bus.

The bus hit the front passenger side of the pickup. Two people were inside. The driver died and the passenger was taken to Bayfront Hospital. There is no word on his or her condition or whether they were wearing seat belts. All lanes were closed for some time. The bus driver was taken away on a stretcher. There is no word on his condition at this time. Our condolences go out to the friends and family of the man driving the pickup truck.

School Bus Statistics
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety, the training of our school bus drivers is a critical link to the safety and welfare of our students.

School buses are considered a safe mode of transportation. Between 1998 and 2002, six children died in school bus crashes in Florida. Four children were killed while loading or unloading from a school bus.

And a high percentage of the 4,830 school bus crashes were attributed to the fault of other drivers, according to the state.

In this case, we have no idea why the pickup turned in front of traffic, but it does not appear there was anything the school bus driver could have done to avoid the accident.

If you or a loved one is injured in a school bus or because of public transportation, the experienced Florida bus accident attorneys at Farah & Farah will advocate for you and determine the at-fault party that may be responsible for your injuries and compensation.

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has completed an investigation into the February fatal Florida tour bus crash that killed five and injured almost every elderly passenger onboard. According to a Highlands Today article, the woman who turned left in front of the bus will not be charged. Betty Adams, 81, of Lake Placid, Florida, was issued a civil infraction for improper lane change, according to the FHP.

Adams was trying to turn left onto U.S. 27 when she hit the Sunburst tour bus. Twenty-nine senior citizens were onboard, along with three others, when the bus overturned, throwing several passengers out of the windows. The bus driver was found to have a clean driving record and was not at fault for the accident. The FHP report says that Adams failed to see the approaching bus before she turned, putting her right in the path of the oncoming bus. Adams was not injured in the crash. The criminal infraction will require her to make a court appearance.

Elderly Drivers in Florida
According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles and Highway Safety, motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of injury-related death among 65 to 74-year-olds, and the second leading cause of death among 75 to 84-year olds.

It is not just aging that affects driving. The side effects of medication, degenerative diseases, a compromised vision, hearing, mobility, reaction time, and cognitive function can all be affected as one ages.

Continue reading "Driver Involved in Fatal Tour Bus Crash Will Not Face Charges" »

It happened Friday morning. A school bus pulling onto Beach Boulevard at Desalvo Road was struck from behind by a Ford Explorer SUV. Two students received minor injuries and the driver of the SUV reported injuries, news4jax.com reports. According to the bus driver, the SUV ran a red light and hit the rear of the bus that was loaded with students from Windy Hill Elementary School about 8: 30 a.m. One child was taken to a nearby hospital by Jacksonville Fire-Rescue and another was taken by the child’s parents. The bus driver was reported to be calm at the scene and talking to all of the kids.

We wish a speedy recovery to all of the children onboard the bus and wishes that they never have to go through another accident on a bus again.

School Bus Accident Statistics
Between 1998 and 2002, a total of six children died in school bus related crashes in Florida. Two were killed while riding inside the school bus and four were killed while preparing to load or unload a school bus. A high percentage of the 4,830 school bus crashes were attributed to the fault of other drivers.

Liability Considerations
The Florida Highway Patrol will conduct an investigation of this bus crash and it is very likely that the SUV driver will be found to be the at-fault driver. For one thing, the school bus was hit from behind and it’s generally assumed the driver who hits a car in front of them is at-fault. The second problem for this SUV driver is that he or she hit a school bus. Motorists are supposed to be very mindful of a school bus and of the stop sign on the bus that alerts motorists that children are loading or unloading. You are supposed to leave adequate space between your vehicle and the bus. All motorists are supposed to remain stopped until the school bus withdraws its stop sign.

According to federal statistics, in 23 percent of all crashes involving school buses, the principal point of impact was the rear of the bus. If your child has been involved in a school bus accident and was injured, a Jacksonville accident attorney and investigators should be called in early to make sure that the at-fault party can be determined and to assure that your child is being adequately cared for while being transported by the school system.

A Clewiston, Florida man faces 12 counts of DUI and causing bodily injury as well as possession of marijuana after the car he was driving hit a Palm Tran bus carrying 13 people. The Naples News reports that the 41-year old man was arrested on January 20, 2010 when his car ran a stop sign, slamming into the bus. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office says the deputy at the scene reported smelling alcohol coming from the man’s car and that the man’s demeanor indicated he was under the influence. According to the deputy, a search of the man’s car uncovered a small bag of marijuana. The bus driver and passengers as well as a passenger in his car were taken to a nearby hospital with injuries.

Our prayers for a speedy recovery go out to all injured in this accident.

Alcohol-Related Accidents in Florida
The Florida Highway Patrol reports that state and local law enforcement agencies in Florida issued almost 65,000 DUI violations in 2008. While alcohol-related fatalities in 2008 were down from 2007 by 6%, 39.5% of all traffic fatalities involved alcohol, the highest it’s been in years. While no one was killed in this accident, one man is accused of driving under the influence and causing the injury of 14 people.

Continue reading "Clewiston Man DUI Hits Bus" »

With a population of 10,804 as of July 2007, Palatka, Florida is home to slightly more than 2,400 families. Palatka is just about 7 square miles in size, and has a population density of 1,553 people per square mile. A little less than 80% of Palatka residents commute outside of the city limits for work, making roads and highways particularly busy on any given work day.

Public transportation is an important part of any city. For those individuals that do not have their own personal mode of transportation, Palatka buses can mean the difference between getting to work and holding down a job, and not being able to commute anywhere out of walking distance. However, Palatka buses are not always safe, either through the fault of other motorists or Palatka bus drivers themselves. For those individuals that are injured in Palatka bus accidents, it is important to remember that sound legal advice from an experienced Palatka bus accident attorney is essential in seeking compensatory damages from negligent parties responsible for your accident.

Unfortunately, not even pedestrians are immune from the negligence that often leads to vehicular accidents. Pedestrian injuries occur when drivers fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians, and exhibit a general disregard for traffic laws put in place to ensure the safety of everyone, both motorists and pedestrian alike. In instances where an individual is injured in a Palatka pedestrian accident, that individual has the right to seek justice from the person that caused the pedestrian injury in the first place.

Personal injury can occur whether we’re in a vehicle or on foot. At Farah and Farah, our bus accident lawyers and pedestrian injury attorneys will examine the circumstances surrounding your injury and will hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. If you have been injured, contact Farah and Farah at our Palatka office today for a free consultation:

(386) 328-2889
417 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, Florida 32177


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Known as the “Isle of Eight Flags”, Amelia Island is part of the Sea Islands, home to both Amelia City and Fernandina Beach, and houses a population of 68,347 people. Part of Nassau County, Amelia Island is 18.2 square miles in size, and relies heavily on tourism to bolster its economy. Sailing, camping, and beach-going activities abound, which means that a considerable number of people visit Amelia Island each year.

With tourism such an important factor in Amelia Island’s economy, it stands to reason that public transportation is an important factor as well. Bus travel is an efficient way of moving a large group of people from one place to another, particularly in smaller locations where traffic can build up quickly. However, when commuters place their trust in the hands of bus drivers and other public transit authorities, it becomes the obligation of those authorities to ensure that individuals using public transit are safe at all times. In the event that a bus accident does happen, it is important to have a skilled Amelia Island bus accident attorney on your side to help sort through the details surrounding your accident.

In an area like Amelia Island, where foot traffic is a more than appropriate means of getting from one place to another, pedestrian injury can become more and more problematic with each passing day. While safety laws have certainly been put in place to help curb instances of pedestrian injury, negligent behavior often results in injury nevertheless, and negligent driving practice in particular needs to be appropriately dealt with in order to help deter future instances of pedestrian injury from occurring.

Personal injury can take place when we’re in a vehicle or on foot. At Farah and Farah, our bus accident lawyers and pedestrian injury attorneys will examine the circumstances surrounding your injury and will hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. If you have been injured, contact Farah and Farah at our Amelia Island office today for a free consultation:

(904) 261-4440
501 Centre St.
Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034


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Jacksonville Beach, Florida is a popular tourist destination and is the largest town in the Jacksonville Beaches community. “Jax Beach” houses a population of 21,849, as of July 2007 figures, and has seen steady population growth since the year 2000. Part of Duval County, Jacksonville Beach is only about 7.7 square miles in land size, but plays host to a large number of beach-goers and vacationers each and every year.

U.S. Route 90 ends, or begins, in Jacksonville Beach, a mere three blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. With both residents and tourists both coming and going, public transportation is an important part of easing traffic congestion in Jacksonville Beach. However, while people place their trust in Jacksonville Beach bus drivers and other public transit authorities, the necessary safety precautions are not always taken, and procedure is not always followed. In the event that commuters are involved in a bus accident in Jacksonville Beach, it is essential that an experienced Jacksonville Beach bus accident attorney is consulted as soon as possible.

Personal injury can strike at any time, particularly in areas where foot traffic is almost as prevalent as vehicular traffic. Particularly because it is a beach community, Jacksonville Beach plays host to a large number of pedestrians regularly making their way from one location of interest to another. Pedestrian injury, unfortunately, is a problem that afflicts far too many individuals each year, particularly in tourist-laden areas like Jacksonville Beach.

Personal injury can be devastating not only physically, but financially as well. At Farah and Farah, our bus accident attorneys are well-versed in traffic law, and prepared to assist you with all aspects of your case. If you have suffered a pedestrian injury, your life may be deemed catastrophic, forever altering the way you live your life. In all instances where an individual is injured in Jacksonville Beach, it is essential to have someone on your side that will fight for your best interests and hold negligent individuals responsible for your accident. If you have been injured, contact Farah and Farah today for a free consultation at our Jacksonville Beach office:

(904) 249-2585
472 Osceola Avenue
Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250


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With a population of 805,605 people as of the 2007 U.S. Census, Jacksonville is the most populated city in the state of Florida and the 12th most populous city in the country. Stretching 874.3 square miles in size, Jacksonville is the largest city in the United States based on total land area, and plays host to not only many residents, but also numerous tourists. With such a large amount of people traveling throughout the city, public transportation is particularly important in both cutting down on the overall amount of traffic in Jacksonville and enabling a large number of people to get from one place to another. However, while necessary safety precautions are certainly put into effect, unfortunately, accidents still cause innocent people to suffer serious injuries.

In the event that a Jacksonville commuter is involved in a bus accident, that commuter shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of expenses brought on by the accident, such as medical bills to treat an injury or physical therapy fees to help one recover from a serious injury. With the assistance of a skilled Jacksonville bus accident lawyer from Farah & Farah, such compensation may be obtained.

Similarly, pedestrians occasionally suffer from the reckless driving practice of motorists in Jacksonville. If a pedestrian is injured in Jacksonville, that individual would be well-advised to seek the advice of an experienced Florida pedestrian injury attorney that will examine the circumstances of the accident and help appropriately attribute negligence to parties at fault.
Personal injury, whether sustained in a bus or pedestrian accident, can be devastating not only physically, but financially as well. In all instances where an individual is injured in Jacksonville at the hands of another, it is essential to have someone on your side that will fight for your best interests and hold negligent behavior responsible for your accident. If you have been injured, contact Farah and Farah at our Jacksonville office today for a free consultation:

(904) 396-5555
10 West Adams Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

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Lake City is located in Columbia County, Florida and is often referred to as the “Gateway To Florida.” With a population of about 12,000 and in a county whose population is on the rise (Columbia County has close to 68,000 inhabitants as of 2006), Lake City has become a highly desired tourist destination as well as a common stop for those on route to Southern Florida. With such a span of visitors and residents passing through various parts of the city using bus transportation, bus accidents are bound to take place as a result of defective bus parts, negligent driving, improper driver training, or for a variety of other reasons.

When innocent passengers are injured in a bus accident in Lake City at no fault of their own, a skilled Lake City bus accident attorney from Farah and Farah can help. We have assisted many injured victims of bus accidents receive compensation to help pay for medical treatment, pain and suffering, hospital bills, and even loss of wages.

In addition to bus accidents, pedestrian accidents within Lake City’s streets are regrettable occurrences that put the well-being of children, the elderly, and adults of all ages at risk. When drivers fail to adhere to speed limits near pedestrian crosswalks, they put innocent pedestrians in danger of suffering severe injuries and even wrongful death. Pedestrian injuries can have some of the most catastrophic consequences due to a pedestrian’s vulnerable exposure to the surrounding area without protection.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, whether it involved a bus, truck, or other auto, the experienced Lake City pedestrian accident lawyers at Farah and Farah can assist you through this challenging time. For more information on how we may be able to help you hold negligent parties responsible for your bus or pedestrian accident injury, contact the Lake City personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah today:

212 N. Marion Ave Suite 208
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 754-7534

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Located in Northeast Clay County, the city of Orange Park is just south of Jacksonville, Florida. Orange Park’s name derives from the aspirations of its founders to inhabit a fruit-producing industry, but these hopes of crops were ruined in what is referred to as the Great Freeze of 1894-95. Nevertheless, in its growth as an abundant and welcoming community, Orange Park displayed a population of approximately 9,043 in July 2008. Although having a smaller population than some of its neighboring cities, Orange Park residents utilize public transportation and personal autos to a great degree. As a result, Orange Park is susceptible to its share of auto accidents involving buses and pedestrians as an unfortunate result of negligent driving, dangerous road conditions, and even defective auto parts.

Bus passengers put their trust in drivers and companies to ensure that no harm befalls them while traveling via bus. When bus accidents inflict injury on passengers in Orange Park, the skilled Orange Park bus accident attorneys at Farah and Farah can help injured victims receive compensation to help pay for medical treatment, hospital bills, pain and suffering, and loss of wages.

In addition to bus accidents, pedestrian accidents in the streets of Orange Park are ill-fated occurrences that can cause children, the elderly, and adults of all ages to suffer serious injuries and even wrongful death. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, whether it involved a bus, truck, or other auto, the experienced Orange Park pedestrian accident lawyers at Farah and Farah can assist you. For more information on how we may be able to help you hold negligent parties responsible for your bus or pedestrian accident injury in Orange Park, contact Farah and Farah at our Orange Park office today:

(904) 264-0700
1534 Kingsley Avenue
Orange Park, Florida 32073

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St. Augustine is often called the “nation’s oldest city” for being home to the oldest port in the continental U.S. The population in St. Augustine was estimated to be 12,157 in 2004. Known for its classic architecture, lovely beaches, and museums that depict life of the early Spanish explorers who settled in the area, St. Augustine is quite a popular tourist spot in Northern Florida. With so many tourists in addition to many residents utilizing public transportation and personal automobiles, auto accidents in St. Augustine involving pedestrians and buses are an unfortunate consequence of negligent driving.

Bus accidents in St. Augustine may be caused by driver negligence, defective bus parts, dangerous road conditions, improper driver training, and many other factors. Bus passengers put their trust in drivers and companies to ensure that no harm befalls them on their travels. When bus accidents inflict injury on passengers in St. Augustine, the experienced St. Augustine bus accident lawyers at Farah and Farah can help injured victims receive compensation to help pay for medical treatment, hospital bills, pain and suffering, and loss of wages.

In addition to bus accidents, pedestrian accidents in the streets of St. Augustine are unfortunate events that afflict the well-being of children, the elderly, and adults of all ages. When drivers fail to adhere to speed limits near pedestrian crosswalks, they put innocent pedestrians at risk of suffering severe injuries and even wrongful death. Pedestrian injuries are some of the most catastrophic consequences of auto collisions due to a pedestrian’s vulnerable exposure to hitting concrete, a part of a vehicle, or any other object on the road or sidewalk.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, whether it involved a bus, truck, or other auto, the experienced St. Augustine pedestrian accident lawyers at Farah and Farah can assist you. For more information on how we may be able to help you hold negligent parties responsible for your bus or pedestrian accident injury, contact the St. Augustine personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah today:

(904) 797-7977
1301 Plantation Island Drive
Suite 206A
St. Augustine, Florida 32080

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Located 30 miles north of Florida, Brunswick occupies part of southeastern Georgia. Nicknamed “the shrimp capital of the world,” Brunswick owes much of its reputation to being the main center of Georgia’s crab and shrimp industries. As the twelfth-largest metropolitan area in the state of Georgia, Brunswick had an estimated metropolitan population of 101,792 in 2007 with a city proper population of 16,235. Considering that Brunswick, Georgia residents and visitors highly depend on bus transportation in addition to the use of other modes of public and personal transport, bus accidents are just as likely to occur as in any major metropolitan area.

As is the case in most large cities that utilize buses, bus accidents have been known to occur due to defective bus parts, driver inattention or carelessness, improper driver training, and much more. Whatever the cause of your bus accident injury, the skilled Brunswick, Georgia bus accident attorneys at Farah and Farah can help. We have assisted many injured victims of bus accidents receive compensation to help pay for hospital bills, treatment, pain and suffering, and even loss of wages.

In addition to bus accidents, pedestrian accidents within Brunswick’s streets are unfortunate occurrences that plague the well-being of children, the elderly, and adults of all ages. When drivers fail to adhere to speed limits near pedestrian crosswalks, they put innocent pedestrians at risk of suffering severe injuries and even wrongful death. Pedestrian injuries are some of the most catastrophic consequences of auto collisions due to a pedestrian’s vulnerable exposure to hitting concrete, a part of a vehicle, or any other object on the road or sidewalk.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, whether it involved a bus, truck, or other auto, the experienced Brunswick pedestrian accident lawyers at Farah and Farah can assist you. For more information on how we may be able to help you hold negligent parties responsible for your bus or pedestrian accident injury, contact the Brunswick personal injury law firm of Farah and Farah today:

(912) 466-8896
4216 Coral Park Drive
Suite 107
Brunswick, GA 31520


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This is a story that has the community divided.

A First Student bus driver was reportedly seen striking a student in a bus accident in Jacksonville at Jackson High last Wednesday morning. A Jacksonville Sheriffs officer also says the child’s nose was bloody.

Quarnetta Quaintance, 45, is now facing child abuse charges for hitting one of the students on her bus. The victim admits she approached Quaintance and was using profanity and a witness confirmed that the victim was walking toward the bus driver in an “aggressive manner.”

On the surface of it, placing the driver on suspension and conducting an investigation could result in her termination. Many parents say they understand how someone could act in defense or out of frustration.

On the other hand the law is pretty clear. Florida has an anti-bullying law that originated to protect children from bullies. The Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act mandates that schools adopt policies to stop bullying, or lose state funding. Federal statistics say that about three-quarters of middle school students say they have faced bullying or threats from other students. Florida is one of few states that have a penalty if schools do not take bullying seriously.

So the law clearly forces schools to adopt some type of team approach to stop bullying – this time it’s school personnel that appear to be a victim.

If the student was violent, expulsion may have to be a punishment or more creative alternative, such as public service assignments. Let’s hope this child’s parents or an appointed guardian gets involved as they are a key to solving the violence on school personnel. There are no easy answers here, but action must be taken.

Legally, unless a person is approaching you with a weapon and you are in fear for your life, you cannot strike someone, especially an underage person. It is indefensible.

Let’s hope this bus driver doesn’t take the burden of the punishment if the school has truly failed to deal effectively with bullying.

If you have any questions regarding auto accidents or bus accidents in Florida, Jacksonville’s experienced auto accident attorneys and personal injury lawyers at Farah and Farah can help. Call 800-533-3555 today for a free evaluation.

This story could have had deadly consequences and it all happened during the morning rush hour.

Six students were injured when a school bus was struck by a SUV Thursday morning. Just after 9 a.m. police were called to the collision at the intersections of Firestone and Melvin Road in Jacksonville.

A flashing four-way intersection with a red light stopped the bus driver and police say he was proceeding into the intersection when the black SUV entered the intersection running the red light and plowing into the side of the bus.

Among the 30 students on the bus from Jefferson Davis Middle School, six were transported to area hospitals, as well as the bus driver, and two adults in the SUV. The conditions of all of those hurt in the auto accident in Jacksonville are reported to be minor.

The accident was only a quarter mile from the school, so the rest of the students walked while the road was closed as police pieced together the collision.

This Florida bus accident accident serves as a reminder – in the presence of a school bus, drivers need to show extra caution and slow down in case that stop arm comes out of the bus. Even if it is the early morning rush hour, perhaps especially if it is the early morning rush hour.

At a flashing red light, always stop, not slow down, but stop. Yellow means you show caution and slow down. Imagine if a student has just disembarked.

This driver should be heavily ticketed and thankful that no one was seriously injured.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident or bus accident in Jacksonville that was caused by the negligence of someone else, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Farah & Farah for a case evaluation today.

It turns out the driver of an 18-wheeler that ran into a school bus killing one student, had been texting, according to a report on the fatal Florida truck accident.

30- year-old Reinaldo Gonzales turned himself into the Florida Highway Patrol last Tuesday. He was booked in the Marion County jail in Ocala, Florida charged with vehicular homicide and reckless driving with serious bodily injury.

The auto accident in Florida happened seven months ago and Gonzales has been a free man since then. This angers the parents of 13-year-old Frances Schee, who was the last child trapped on the burning bus when passersby in the Florida town of Citra came to the rescue.

The Florida Highway Patrol explains the seven months by saying that these investigations take time.

Gonzales admits he was text messaging just minutes before he slammed into the rear of the bus with his 18-wheeler.

On the side of the road, U.S. 301 where the crash took place, a memorial still stands to honor the 11 children hurt and one girl killed.

Since the Florida bus accident, several lawsuits have been filed. The Key family has sued Marion county schools. “Since this tragedy we have not felt the board has been responsive to our concerns.”

Continue reading "Florida School Bus Crash Caused by Negligent Trucker Kills One, Injures Many" »

Last September, a Florida tractor-trailer driver slammed into a school bus in north Florida killing a 13-year-old girl. It turns out he was on his cell phone. Some heroic passersby pulled the children from the bus before it caught on fire. Two of the children were critically injured.

On Thursday, March 19, according to a report, a similar incident occurred in a Jacksonville tractor-trailer accident, but with a less tragic ending.

The bus was on a field trip in downtown Jacksonville, Thursday morning. The kids, from Lake Forest Elementary, were going to the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

The truck hit the rear of the bus. The tractor-trailer smashed its front right headlight in the process, but did not injure any students.

Ten students had to be transported to hospitals to be checked out. The driver was seen at a hospital as well. Fortunately, none of the injuries were serious in this bus accident in Jacksonville.

One mother picked up her child at the scene at Union and Davis Street at about 11:30 after hearing about the accident. Her child was shaken up and she took him home.

The question as to what caused this tractor-trailer to rear-end a school bus needs to be answered.

The First Student bus company has a contract to carry students in Duval County. The company said “The safety of our students is our No. 1 priority…regardless of whether they’re in the classroom or in a school bus headed to an event.”

Continue reading "Jacksonville Tractor-Trailer Accident Involving School Bus Injures Students " »

It happened Wednesday afternoon, after school, says a report. A 16-year-old driver of a pickup truck failed to stop at an intersection and rear-ended a school bus. It happened on state Road 121 in Raiford, Florida. Four students on the bus were taken to Lake Butler Hospital. They were not serious injured thankfully. The pickup driver went to Shands Medical Center in Gainesville.

Union county sheriff’s office responded to the scene of the Florida bus accident. There is no word on whether any charges will be filed. The remainder of the students were picked up by their worried parents at the scene of the crash. The others were loaded onto another bus and taken home.

Ironically this accident happens at a time when the Florida Highway Patrol is promoting “Takethewheel.net”, a site to promote safe teen driving. Every 55 seconds a teenager is injured in a car crash, according to statistics. And every 6.5 minutes a teen is killed in an auto crash – still the no. one killer of teenagers.

Take The Wheel has videos that relate to teen drivers where teens talk about accidents they’ve been involved in and the loved ones they’ve seen die.

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Car crashes are the No. 1 killer of American teens and Allstate Insurance has identified the cities with the highest number of teen fatalities during the holidays. They could be considered teen driving hotspots – and the Top Three cities are all in Florida.

A report from Allstate Insurance Company looked at recent federal crash statistics and their insurance claims data to score metro areas. The time period observed was from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.

Tampa-Clearwater-St. Petersburg, Florida occupies the top spot and Jacksonville is second, followed by Orlando-Kissimmee; Kansas City, Missouri; and Birmingham, Alabama.

The study is part of a Home for the Holidays teen safe driving campaign that urges parents to speak to their children about smart driving during the holidays. Especially important - Remind your teen that fatal car accidents are the number one killer of teens.

During the past eight years during the holiday season, teen drivers nationwide have been part of more than 5,000 fatal auto crashes.

There is also something called Allstate’s Parent-Teen Driving Contract that Allstate provides laying out the expectations for teen drivers to stay safe and make wise decisions as a driver AND the consequences he/her will face if they do not abide by the contract.

Continue reading "Florida Cities Included In Top Ten Deadliest Teen Driver Towns" »