10 Injured in Boone County, IA, Bus Accident on Highway 30
Boone County, IA -- July 15, 2017, 10 people were injured as the result of an accident in which a car and a bus collided on Highway 30.
The Boone County Sheriff's Department was called out to the accident scene at around 6:00 p.m. They say the collision happened near the intersection Highway 30 and B Avenue.
Preliminary reports indicate that a school bus occupied by several teens was traveling along US Highway 30. A passenger vehicle traveling in the opposite direction somehow came into contact with the bus.
As a result of the collision, roughly 10 people had to be transported to local hospitals for treatment. Some were taken to Boone County Hospital while others went to Mary Greeley. Injuries were said to be non-life-threatening.
No charges or citations were reported. Police released no further information.
Map of the Area
Commentary
An accident like this one can be much more complex than many realize due to the fact that so many people were taken to the hospital. In Iowa, the minimum liability insurance is $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident. This means that in the majority of claims against a car driver's insurance company, no person can recover more than $20,000 for their injuries, and once victims have claimed $40,000, there's no more liability coverage for the rest of the victims.
I don't know if any of you have been to the ER recently, but even minor injuries can result in medical bills beyond $20k. And as unfair as it may seem, liability coverage is not divided up based on the severity of injuries. Ultimately, it comes down to who has the more convincing case for their claim and who gets to the insurance company first. This is why I always stress to people who important it is to contact a professional as soon as possible after an accident like this so they can be fairly compensated for their injuries. As grim as it seems to say, those who don't act quickly may be left to foot the bill out of their own pockets.
--Grossman Law Offices
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