Bus Crash Near Ocala Kills 8, Injures 40

In May 2024, a pickup truck and an International bus sideswiped each other on Highway 40, about 15 miles west of Ocala, leading to the deaths of 8 farm workers and injuring between 40 and 45, depending on estimates. At least 8 of the injured were, as of the day after the accident, in ‘very serious condition’ – but the driver of the pickup truck was charged with 8 counts of driving under the influence – manslaughter, for the number of fatalities noted at the time. As of this writing, no charges were pending against the bus driver, but this is not always the case in this type of crash.

Pickup Driver Under The Influence

According to the press release issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), the pickup truck moved toward the center line on the road “for unknown reasons,” and as it sped up, the bus and pickup wound up sideswiping each other. The bus wound up leaving the roadway, coming to a stop on its side in a field. The driver of the pickup truck was allegedly operating his vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and sideswiped the bus, which was carrying farm workers to a temporary job on a Florida farm.

One might imagine that a sideswipe would not be enough to overturn a bus full of passengers – but it is not unheard of for a bus to wind up on its side or to overturn completely in the event of a crash, simply because its center of gravity is often lower than that of, say, a tractor-trailer. The most common causes of accidents involving buses are driver error, poorly maintained roads, and defective parts, but regardless of the immediate cause, many injuries in this type of accident happen due to the vehicle overturning.

Vicarious Liability May Apply

If you have been injured in an accident involving a passenger bus, know that a bus generally qualifies as a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in Florida as long as it is owned by a private company. What this means is that in many cases, multiple defendants may be held liable for the injuries you have suffered if certain criteria apply. Florida law observes a theory known as vicarious liability, which essentially makes an employer responsible for the civil torts of their employees, as long as the employee was acting within the “scope of [their] employment.”

In a case like the Ocala wreck, where a third party was responsible for the crash, vicarious liability does not generally apply – but if the crash was caused by the negligence of the bus driver, it may be worth your while to attempt to hold the bus driver’s employer liable for what you have been through. A bus driver will rarely be able to cover a jury award – but their employer may have much deeper pockets.

Contact A Tampa CMV Bus Accident Attorney

While the driver of the pickup truck appears to be the recognized cause of the Ocala crash, many bus accidents occur where no third party is involved. If you have been involved in a bus crash, either as a passenger or a pedestrian, you have the right to seek money damages for your injuries. A Tampa CMV bus accident attorney from the Rinaldo Law Group can help you determine your options – call our office for a free consultation today.

Source:

msn.com/en-us/news/us/driver-of-truck-involved-in-florida-bus-crash-that-killed-8-farm-workers-charged-with-dui-manslaughter/ar-BB1mneym