Drivers in and around Boston are familiar with many precautions that they can undertake to make their travels safe. Driving appropriately for weather conditions, obeying traffic signs and signals, and wearing a seat belt are all ways to responsibly operate a vehicle. Although such practices can help drivers avoid car accidents, often passengers in motor vehicles find themselves at the mercy of their drivers to stay safe.

The safety of a bus full of high school students was recently put in jeopardy when a commercial operator negligently drove his bus into the Western Avenue bridge overpass on Soldiers Field Road. While the bridge’s clearance only accommodates vehicles fewer than 10 feet in height, Soldiers Field Road has posted warning signs that should have stopped the driver from proceeding. The bus-bridge collision resulted in more than 30 injured students with one student suffering serious injuries.

The driver of the bus is now facing criminal charges involving the negligent operation of a vehicle and failing to heed signage on a Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation road. In addition to the charges brought against the driver, the family of the seriously injured student has also brought a civil lawsuit in the matter. The various lawsuits may result in different legal penalties and compensation for the benefit of the suing parties.

Negligent drivers like the one discussed in this story injure innocent people every day. While many auto accidents are minor and many only incur incidental damages to vehicles or other property, others may result in catastrophic personal injuries to victims and emotional hardship for the victims’ families. While the state may bring charges against negligent drivers for criminal acts, victims may consider filing civil lawsuits against negligent parties in order to seek compensation for their losses.

Source: MyFoxBoston, “Bus driver in Soldiers Field accident criminally charged,” April 9, 2013