According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, a school bus driver involved in a December 2014 accident did not possess the proper Tennessee Commercial Driver License (CDL) endorsement to operate a school bus by himself. The bus driver in question is 67-year-old Joe Gallman, who was driving School Bus 57 at the time of the accident. Per the Tennessee Department of Safety, he possessed a learner’s permit and could only operate a school bus when accompanied by a fully licensed driver, protocol he failed to follow at the time of this wreck. His driving record has also come under recent scrutiny. Records indicate he was cited for speeding in December 2013 and November 2009. Following the accident, the company that owns Bus 57 “voluntarily terminated” its contract with Knox County Schools. Three people in Bus 57 passed away as a result of this wreck.
If you have been injured in a Tennessee bus accident, call the lawyers at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz (“NST Law”) at 1-800-LAW-4004 today. The largest plaintiff’s personal injury law firm based in Tennessee, NST Law has the experience and resources to handle large bus accident cases, including those involving traumatic injuries.
NST Law understands how to properly develop a Tennessee bus accident case, including proving liability of the bus driver and company that owns and operates the bus. A bus driver may be liable for a wreck for failure to follow the rules of the road. Bus companies may act negligently by failing to properly hire or conduct background checks into its drivers. For example, bus drivers must possess the proper certifications and driver license endorsements to be able to legally operate a school bus under Tennessee law. NST attorneys know how to apply these laws to the unique facts of each case to prove liability. NST Law may also retain experts familiar with the proper standard of care for the bus industry to review bus company policies and employment contracts. Further, NST Law can investigate driving records, including traffic citations and prior auto accidents.
For over twenty five (25) years, NST Law has fought for injured auto accident victims and their loved ones. NST Law has the resources to develop complex Tennessee bus accident cases and pursue maximum compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and permanent disability. For a free initial consultation on your Tennessee bus accident case, please call the auto accident attorneys at NST Law at 901-683-7000 or 1-800-LAW-4004.
Source: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/watchful-eye/state-driver-in-fatal-crash-not-licensed-to-operate-school-bus_12185622