Parents of School Bus Crash Victim Sue Bus Company

Feb 03,2017

The parents of a 10-year-old girl killed in the Chattanooga, Tenn. school bus crash last November have filed a wrongful death suit against the bus driver, bus company and bus manufacturer. Zyanna Harris died of blunt force trauma when her school bus crashed into a tree on November 21, 2016. Five other children died and several others suffered injuries in the crash.

According to the family’s attorney, the bus manufacturer, Thomas Built Buses, was negligent by failing to equip the school bus with seat belts and glazed shatter-resistant windows. The lawsuit alleges that the windows were not designed to prevent contact with the roadway. The Harris’s attorney claims this flaw increases the risk of occupant ejection during a crash.

Driver Involved in Previous School Bus Crash

The suit also names Johnthony Walker, the driver who caused the fatal school bus crash. Additionally, it names Durham School Services, the bus company. Walker caused another bus crash just two months before the fatal November crash. The lawsuit alleges both the driver and the company were negligent.

According to police, the bus driver was speeding when he lost control of the bus, causing it to roll over and collide with a tree. He faces several charges, including vehicular homicide.

“School buses should be equipped with the proper safety gear to protect our students. Yes, it costs money to install these safety features. But our children are worth the expense,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.