Passenger Injured in Mooresville Bus Accident
The crash occurred on Highway 150 near Scottish Drive.
A passenger in a county fleet vehicle was injured in a head-on bus accident on Highway 150 near Scottish Drive in Mooresville on Wednesday, April 15.
The driver of the Chevrolet Equinox was charged with driving left of center and a seatbelt violation after crossing into oncoming traffic and striking a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bus. Investigators reported the driver suffered a medical emergency before the crash.
The passenger in the Equinox, which is owned by the Davidson County Department of Social Services, was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. The driver was hospitalized with severe injuries.
The school bus was carrying 45 students on a field trip at the time of the wreck. No students or staff members on board were hurt.
The State Highway Patrol reported the scene was cleared and lanes reopened Wednesday afternoon.
Passengers injured in government fleet vehicles face unique challenges when seeking accountability for a crash.
"It's overwhelming to deal with a bus injury when you're facing a short government deadline for filing paperwork," said Candice Bond, National Legal Analyst for Bond Legal. "Some agencies give you as little as sixty days to notify them of an accident, or you won't be helped."
According to the National Safety Council, about 15,000 people are injured annually in bus and transit-related accidents nationwide.
When a driver faces traffic charges, such as driving left of center, it can establish a foundation for liability, even if a medical emergency preceded the crash.
"What most people miss are the incredibly short deadlines to report a transit injury," said Stefano Formica, Of Bond Legal"Some cities require paperwork in as little as sixty days, or you'll lose the chance to hold them accountable."
North Carolina follows a contributory negligence system—one of only four states with this strict rule. Under this framework, a plaintiff found even 1 percent at fault may be barred from recovery entirely. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is typically three years. Damages can include compensation for economic and non-economic losses.