Crashes Cause Concerns Over Safety of School Zones and School Buses in New Jersey

Within the past month or so, New Jersey has seen multiple crashes involving school buses, school zones, and children on their way to classes in the morning. This incident should alarm everyone in the Garden State – whether you have children or not. If we cannot protect our youngest citizens from traffic hazards, then the older generations face even more serious threats. If your child has been injured in a New Jersey school bus crash, consider speaking about your legal options with an experienced personal injury attorney.

Child Struck by Vehicle Making Left-Hand Turn in Pemberton

In February of 2025, police in Pemberton reported that a child had been struck and injured by a motorist. The incident occurred at around 7:30 AM on a weekday, and the juvenile was probably on their way to school that morning. The fact that the motorist was attempting a left-hand turn suggests that they failed to yield to the child. However, there are few details to go on – and police say that an investigation is ongoing.

First responders stated that the child suffered a severe leg injury, and that they were immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. It is unclear whether this involved a fracture, a crush injury, or something else entirely. If the vehicle ran over the child’s leg, the limb may need to be amputated. Incidents like these often lead to “compartment syndrome,” a condition that causes swelling and loss of blood flow to the affected limb. Amputation is the only real way to deal with a situation like this.

High School Bus Driver Struck and Killed by Another School Bus

Another alarming incident occurred in late January of 2025, when a school bus driver was struck and killed by another employee driving a school bus. The victim was standing outside his bus at about 3:45 PM that day – assumedly after finishing his shift. As he was standing by his bus, another bus driver approached and struck the victim, causing fatal injuries. Police say that they are continuing to investigate this incident – but it could have been much worse. Imagine if a child had been standing outside the bus instead of the senior victim.

The man was 85 years old at the time. Interestingly, the person driving the other bus is also a senior at the age of 77. This incident illustrates the tendency of school districts to hire extremely old individuals as bus drivers. These individuals may struggle with poor eyesight, cognitive decline, and other health issues that make them unsuitable for such an important responsibility. Some districts have been accused of negligent hiring practices as a result of crashes like these. The problem is that few young individuals want to become school bus drivers, as there are far more lucrative opportunities for commercial drivers. School districts are therefore left with a limited pool of candidates.

Two Injuries Reported After School Bus Crashes in Essex County

Another school bus crashed in February of 2025, and this incident occurred in Essex County. Authorities in Verona say that the school bus flipped over at around 3 PM, causing one adult inside to suffer various injuries. Thankfully, no students were on board at the time of the crash. Again, questions are being raised about whether the bus driver caused the accident. At the time of the accident, the bus driver was making a left-hand turn. Generally speaking, left-turning drivers must yield to all other traffic.

While the bus was turning left, it was struck by an oncoming vehicle. This vehicle impacted the center of the bus, causing it to flip over. The driver of this second vehicle suffered minor injuries, while an aide inside the school bus suffered what first responders describe as “moderate” injuries.

Can a New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer Help Me Take Action on Behalf of My Children?

As a parent, you shoulder the responsibility of taking legal action on behalf of your injured children. Your kids are too young to file personal injury lawsuits on their own, and they rely on others to ensure they have enough compensation to cover the future cost of their injuries. These costs might include ongoing medical expenses and permanent disabilities that make earning income difficult or impossible. A personal injury lawyer in New Jersey can help you explore your options, including injury claims. Speak with Lependorf & Silverstein today to get started with an action plan.