Posts Tagged ‘Minnesota bus accident’

MN School Bus Crash: 8 Dassel-Cokato Students Injured

Friday, February 12th, 2010

bus-accident-1 MN School Bus Crash: 8 Dassel-Cokato Students InjuredA Dassel-Cokato school bus crash near Kingston injured 8 students Friday morning. The State Patrol reported the crash occurred at 7:15 a.m., at Highway 15 and County Road 21, north of Dassel.

There was dense fog with visibility less than 200′ at the time of the accident. The Dassel-Cokato School Bus, driven by John Rokala, 78, stopped at the stop sign, then proceeded to cross Highway 15. The school bus was hit by a 2004 Chevrolet pick-up truck driven by Daniel Schneider, 28, of Kimball.

According to the State Patrol report, there were 17 students on the bus. Two students were taken to a Litchfield hospital and six were taken to a hospital in Hutchinson. None of the injuries were life-threatening. The drivers of the bus and pickup truck also had minor injuries.

Meeker County Sheriff’s office and the State Patrol were on the scene investigating the crash. Because the crash involved a school bus, investigators will thoroughly inspect the bus. Personnel from Dassel Fire and Rescue squads, Watkins – Cokato ambulances, and Gold Cross Ambulance also responded.

Minnesota Personal Injury Lawyer

It is scary to have your child injured while riding on a school bus. When you entrust your child to the care of the school bus driver, you never expect that your child will be injured in a school bus crash.

If you have a child who has who has sustained an injury in a school bus accident, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer. The Minnesota School Bus Accident Attorneys, at TSR Injury Law, have years of experience and will work tirelessly to ensure you receive fair compensation for your child’s injuries. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our contact form.

TSR Injury Law Represents Several Victims of Bus Crash Near Austin, MN

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

car-crash-20 TSR Injury Law Represents Several Victims of Bus Crash Near Austin, MNTSR Injury Law now represents several people injured in the bus crash that happened near Austin, Minnesota, November 18th.

The bus was owned and operated by Strain Bus Lines Motorcoach Tours in Rochester. It was making its weekly Wednesday casino shuttle to Diamond Jo Casino in Northwood, Iowa. There were 23 people on the bus, 21 were injured and 2 were killed in the crash.

There are many guidelines, both federal and state, that regulate common carriers. If the common carrier has broken any regulations, they may be found liable for 100% of your personal injuries. A common carrier is obligated to provide for the safety of their passengers by:

  • maintaining their vehicles
  • hiring qualified drivers
  • making sure driver’s maintain qualification
    • driving skills
    • medical records

Minnesota Bus Crash Attorney

TSR Injury Law is a premier personal injury law firm serving Minneapolis, St. Paul and the state of Minnesota. Our partners have decades of combined experience fighting for justice. If you have been injured in a bus crash, you need expert legal representation because you can be sure that the bus company already has attorneys and insurance adjusters working to delay or deny your claim. Contact a Minnesota Bus Crash Attorney at 612-362-0000.

TSR Injury Law Represents Person Injured in Strain Tour Bus Crash

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

tour-bus-crash TSR Injury Law Represents Person Injured in Strain Tour Bus CrashTSR Injury Law is currently representing a person injured in the Strain Bus Lines Motorcoach Tours bus crash that happened near Austin, Minnesota, November 18th.

The bus was eastbound on I-90, crossed over into the westbound lanes, rolled, and landed on its side in the ditch. Two people died at the scene and the other 21 passengers all sustained injuries. The interstate was closed for hours. Seven ambulances and six helicopters were on the scene and the State Patrol commented that it was not enough.

If you or your loved one was injured in this bus crash or a different motor vehicle crash call TSR Injury Law. Our lawyers have significant experience in handling bus crash cases and are respected by their peers and feared by insurance adjusters for their ability to establish fault and prove liability in complex legal cases. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our free consultation form.

Tour Bus Safety Action Plan – Too Late for Tour Bus Crash in Austin, Minnesota

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

car-crash-13 Tour Bus Safety Action Plan - Too Late for Tour Bus Crash in Austin, MinnesotaThe U.S. Department of Transportation released an action plan to improve motorcoach safety across the board nationwide on Monday, November 16. That was not in time to help the occupants of the Strain Bus Lines Motorcoach.

The Strain Bus Lines Motorcoach was involved in a crash and rollover on I-90 near Austin, Minnesota on November 18th. Capt. Matt Langer of the Minnesota State Patrol reported that it was a “tragic accident because everyone on the bus was either injured or killed.” In addition, Capt. Langer reported that commercial vehicle inspectors and reconstruction specialists would be on the scene examining the evidence of the crash. The cause of the accident will probably take weeks to determine. According to some news sources, there is the possibility that the driver of the bus, Ed Erickson, may have suffered a ruptured aneurysm in his chest and lost consciousness before the crash.

The FMCSA Action Plan

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the bus and truck safety Agency for interstate travel and is part of the Department of Transportation. Their new action plan encompasses addressing the major issues in transportation safety:

  • driver fatigue
    • requiring electronic on-board recording devices on all motorcoaches to better monitor drivers’ duty hours
  • driver inattention
    • prohibit texting
    • limit the use of cellular telephones
  • vehicle rollover
    • establishment of performance requirements for enhanced roof strength, fire safety, and emergency egress
    • electronic stability control to prevent rollovers
  • occupant ejections
    • requiring the installation of seat belts
  • unsafe carriers
    • enhanced oversight of unsafe carriers

Motorcoach travel is comparatively safe in the United States. Approximately 750 million passengers ride annually with an average of 19 occupant fatalities in crashes, according to data collected by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “We are committed to making sure that bus travelers reach their destinations safely,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “These improvements will not only help reduce the number of motorcoach crashes, it will also help save lives and reduce injuries.”

Minnesota Bus Accident Attorney & Lawyer

If you have questions about your case, contact a Minnesota Bus Accident Attorney at 612-362-0000. We will answer your questions and help you navigate the legal system.

Tour Bus Crash I-90 Near Austin, Minnesota, At Least 2 Dead

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

NJvYpUzF5T-Lhyvc2t7DBQraN5Qo2-Pu Tour Bus Crash I-90 Near Austin, Minnesota, At Least 2 DeadA Strain Bus Lines Motorcoach crashed and rolled on Interstate 90 Wednesday afternoon. Initial reports are that at least 23 people were on the bus at the time of the crash and that at least 2 people died at the scene.

The crash happened at about 3:30 p.m. on eastbound I-90. The bus crossed over into the westbound lanes, crashed, and landed on its side in the ditch. The interstate was closed to enable medical crews to assist. Seven ambulances and six helicopters responded from the area including, Mayo Clinic, Mercy Hospital, Austin Medical Center, St. Mary’s Hospital (Rochester) and Naeve Hospital (Albert Lea).

According to Freeborn County Chief Deputy Gene Arnold the driver of the bus was critically injured and transported to St. Mary’s Hospital. Arnold also stated that there were not enough ambulances to transport all of the victims.

The bus was owned and operated by Strain Bus Lines Motorcoach Tours, Rochester. It was making its weekly Wednesday shuttle from Rochester, Byron, Kasson, and Blooming Prairie to Diamond Jo Casino in Northwood, Iowa and back. The passengers were mostly senior citizens.

As recently as August of 2008, the bus had some mechanical issues. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Strain Bus Line has not had a fatal crash for the past two years, but they have had a higher percentage of buses that have been taken out of service compared to other bus companies.

Bus Accident Liability

If you have been in a bus accident, you may be able to file a claim against the bus company or the owner of the bus to receive compensation for:

  • medical expenses
  • lost wages
  • loss of earning capacity
  • pain and suffering
  • disfigurement
  • disability

There are federal and state guidelines that regulate common carriers. As common carriers, bus lines are obligated to provide for the safety of their passengers by maintaining their vehicles, hiring qualified drivers, and providing additional training. If the accident is the result of non-compliance with any federal or state safety regulations, the common carrier may bear 100% of the liability for your personal injuries. Liability may involve any of the following issues:

  • poor maintenance
  • driver negligence
  • driver training
  • defective products
  • drunk driving

Minnesota Bus Accident Lawyer

Our Minnesota Bus Accident Attorneys are skilled, aggressive litigators. We have recovered millions for victims of motor vehicle accidents. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our free consultation form. Time is critical. Evidence needs to be preserved and witnesses interviewed.