Every school day parents throughout Pennsylvania get their children up and ready for school. As they watch their children board the bus that will take them to school, they are entrusting the person behind the school bus' wheel as well as other drivers on the road with their most precious possessions. While most bus rides are uneventful, from time to time accidents do occur.

Earlier this month one such accident took place in Mount Pleasant Township, located in southwestern Pennsylvania. The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. as the bus drove on a narrow rural road. According to the police, as the driver followed his route, the bus and a pickup truck coming from the other direction sideswiped each other.

At the time of the accident, 15 students were on the bus. All of the students as well as the driver of the bus were transported to hospitals located in Washington and Canonsburg. Fortunately all were released later that day.

According to the police, the person who was behind the wheel of the pickup truck was driving on a suspended license when the accident occurred. It is unclear why the license is suspended.

The accident is currently under investigation and so far no one has been cited. Even if no criminal charges are filed, civil suits could ensue. Such lawsuits are available to those who have sustained injuries due to the fault of another person. The compensation recovered in these personal injury lawsuits helps to cover expenses related to the accident such as medical bills and pain and suffering.

Source: WPXI.com, "Supt: Pupils, Driver OK After Bus Sideswiped In Wash. Co.," Oct. 10, 2011