Wednesday, October 2nd, at nearly 4:20 pm an 8-year-old girl, identified as Jeanelle Fredericks, was hit by a school bus in Madison Mississippi, and later died from her injuries.
The accident occurred on Cobblestone Drive, just off Highway 51, near Rockwood Drive. News video footage shows officials removing the girl’s bike from under the back of the bus and children who got off the bus told reporters the girl was under the bus.
Madison Police Department said that first responders arrived at the scene and began to provide medical assistance to the girl right away. They transported her by ambulance to the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Several residents of the neighborhood told reporters that this intersection is notorious and that it has caused issues in the past. They hope to see some changes made to increase safety in that area.
The Dangers and Causes of Bus Accidents
Accidents like this one, where a pedestrian or bicyclist is hit by a large truck or bus, often yield deadly outcomes. This is because buses and trucks are much heavier than typical passenger vehicles, generating far greater force upon impact. Pedestrians and bicyclists, who have little to no protection, are extremely vulnerable to this high-impact force, which often leads to severe or fatal injuries, even at lower speeds.
Common causes of accidents involving buses colliding with bicyclists and pedestrians include:
- Driver inattention – bus drivers can become distracted by their surroundings, passengers, or electronic devices, leading them to overlook pedestrians or bicyclists.
- Blind spots – buses have larger blind spots than smaller vehicles, making it difficult for drivers to see nearby pedestrians or bicyclists. If a person is in the buses’ blind spot, the driver may not realize they are until it’s too late to avoid a collision.
- Failure to yield – accidents often occur when bus drivers fail to yield the right of way to bicyclists and pedestrians.
- Speeding or reckless driving – Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the force of impact, making collisions more likely to be fatal. Even if the bus is not speeding, its sheer size and weight result in significant impact force when a collision occurs.
- And more
“The incident that led to the death of 8-year-old Jeanelle Fredericks is devastating,” says Letitia Johnson, attorney at the personal injury firm Singleton Schreiber, “It’s a sobering reminder of how crucial it is that school districts and local governments prioritize enhanced safety measures, proper training, and education for their drivers and students alike.”
Potentially Liable Parties and Legal Course of Action Available to Surviving Family Members
When a victim dies after being struck by a bus, there may be a few different potentially liable parties who can be held responsible for their wrongful death. Potentially liable parties may include:
- The bus driver – if they acted negligently by driving distracted, speeding, or failing to yield to the right of way
- The school district or city – if the school district or city failed to provide adequate training for the bus driver, or they failed to enforce safety protocols
- Local government – if the accident occurred due to poorly designed roads, inadequate signage, or lack of traffic control measures
If you have tragically lost a loved one in a collision with a bus, contact the personal injury lawyers of Singleton Schreiber and learn more about your options by calling (619) 771-3473 or emailing info@singletonschreiber.com today.
