A recent commercial bus crash brought tragic news to two families. The crash took place on the Pennsylvania Turnpike as a bus carrying a college lacrosse team ran off of the roadway and crashed into a tree. In addition to the two deaths, others on the bus were injured. While the investigation into the accident is ongoing, the outcome could leave multiple individuals and families with the right to take action against the responsible party.

The lacrosse team was comprised of students from Seton Hall University, who were on the way to a scheduled game against Millersville University. As of the time of this report, it is unclear why the commercial vehicle left the road. The bus driver was among the deceased.

In addition, the head coach of the women’s lacrosse team was killed in the wreck. She was pregnant, and her unborn child also died in the incident. She was beginning her second season coaching the young women, and is survived by her husband and young son.

When a commercial vehicle crashes, Pennsylvania investigators look into a number of factors. If no other vehicle was involved in the crash, attention turns to the condition of the vehicle and the fitness of the operator. It is possible that the bus did not meet all safety and maintenance standards, or that the driver was not allowed proper rest or had medical conditions that were known to her employer and contributed to the wreck. If these or other factors led to this tragic loss of life, the victims and their families will have the right to take action in the matter to recover damages associated with their injuries or losses.

Source: nbcnews.com, “2 dead after Pennsylvania lacrosse team’s tour bus crashes,” Matthew DeLuca, March 16, 2013