First appeared in NewsBreak
By Aron Solomon
On Wednesday, a tragic school bus crash occurred in Ohio, resulting in the death of one elementary student and injuries to 23 others. The driver of a minivan involved in a crash with a Clark County elementary school bus earlier this week entered a not-guilty plea and had his bond set at $100,000 during an arraignment on Thursday.
As bus accident attorney Harold Gerr observed, “From a legal perspective, several key aspects of the Ohio case need to be considered, including criminal charges, details of the investigation, and potential liability.”
Criminal Charges
The driver of the minivan involved in the crash is facing multiple charges, including homicide, according to AP News. The investigation will determine the exact charges and whether the driver’s actions contributed to the accident.
Investigation
The crash remains under investigation[3]. Law enforcement authorities will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and reconstruct the accident to determine the cause and any potential negligence or wrongdoing.
Liability
As Attorney Gerr points “Liability in this case may involve multiple parties, including the driver of the minivan, the school bus driver, the school district, and possibly others.” Determining liability will depend on factors such as negligence, adherence to traffic laws, and any potential defects in the vehicles involved.
Seat Belt Debate
The crash has rekindled an Ohio debate about the installation of seat belts on school buses. Some argue that seat belts could have prevented or minimized injuries, while others raise concerns about the cost and practicality of implementing such measures.
Civil Lawsuits
The families of the injured students and the deceased student may choose to pursue civil lawsuits seeking compensation for damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and wrongful death. These lawsuits would be separate from any criminal charges.
It is important to note that the specific legal implications and outcomes of this case will depend on the findings of the investigation and the decisions made by the relevant legal authorities. The families affected by this tragedy will certainly seek legal counsel to navigate the complex legal process and protect their rights.
About Aron Solomon
A Pulitzer Prize-nominated writer, Aron Solomon, JD, is the Chief Legal Analyst for Esquire Digital and the Editor-in-Chief for Today’s Esquire. He has taught entrepreneurship at McGill University and the University of Pennsylvania, and was elected to Fastcase 50, recognizing the top 50 legal innovators in the world. Aron has been featured in Forbes, CBS News, CNBC, USA Today, ESPN, TechCrunch, The Hill, BuzzFeed, Fortune, Venture Beat, The Independent, Fortune China, Yahoo!, ABA Journal, Law.com, The Boston Globe, YouTube, NewsBreak, and many other leading publications.