Kholby McGill, 9 Other Students Injured in Walker County School Bus Crash

Investigation Underway After Walker County School Bus Crash Injured Kholby McGill and 9 Other Students on the 700 Block of Cook Road in LaFayette

LAFAYETTE, GEORGIA (September 13, 2025) – Kholby McGill and 9 other students were injured in a LaFayette school bus accident on Cook Road.

Walker County officials are saying that the accident took place on Tuesday morning. The school bus apparently left the roadway as the driver was attempting to negotiate a curve in the road.

That bus continued traveling before ultimately hitting a tree. A photo of the aftermath of the accident showed major damage to the left front side of the bus.

There were 37 students on the school bus at the time of the collision. Kholby McGill was one of the 10 students injured in the crash.

He told reporters that the force of the impact sent kids flying in the air. At least five of the victims required hospitalization.

Authorities have cited the driver of the school bus for failing to maintain the bus in their lane of travel. A full investigation into the LaFayette school bus crash that injured Kholby McGill and nine other students remains ongoing.

Liability for LaFayette School Bus Accidents

School buses in Georgia are considered “common carriers.” Their drivers must operate with an abundance of caution to avoid causing harm to their drivers. Pursuant to GA Code § 40-6-48, “A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.” A driver may need to slow down below the speed limit for several reasons.

• Curves: Drivers in SUVs, trucks, and buses are inherently top-heavy. These drivers should slow down considerably while negotiating turns in the road to avoid losing control.
• Inclement Weather: Rain and other forms of inclement weather can make operating a school bus safely substantially more difficult. Drivers may need to slow down well below the speed limit.
• Reduced Visibility: Drivers should slow down in the early morning and late evening hours when visibility is reduced.

If a school bus driver acts negligently and causes a collision, the company or school district that they work for could be held legally responsible. Employers in Georgia can be held vicariously liable for the negligent conduct of their workers who were operating within the course and scope of their job duties. This will include situations where a school bus is being used to transport children or other passengers.

Steps to Take After a LaFayette School Bus Accident

School buses are typically very safe for passengers. But they are still involved in many serious collisions every year. According to the National Safety Council, “School bus-related crashes killed 128 people nationwide in 2023, up 23% compared to the 104 deaths in 2022, according to National Safety Council (NSC) tabulations of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).” Victims of school bus accidents should take several steps to protect their health and legal rights.

• Police: The police should be called to the scene of a school bus crash as soon as possible. They can initiate an investigation and take steps to preserve important pieces of evidence.
• Medical Evaluation: Victims of school bus accidents should receive a thorough medical examination. Many of the injuries associated with car accidents may be internal and thus not outwardly obvious.
• Legal Support: Any person injured in a school bus accident can seek legal support through a personal injury claim. It is imperative that victims explore their legal options with an experienced Atlanta school bus accident attorney.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires buses that can carry 16 or more passengers to have at least $5,000,000 in liability coverage. This can be used to help accident victims recover from their injuries. Unfortunately, school districts and their insurance providers will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility for a collision. This is why it is so important that accident victims strongly consider working with an attorney. There are no up-front costs associated with hiring a bus accident attorney, and they only get paid by the opposing party if they are able to win your case.

Getting Legal Help for Walker County School Bus Accidents

We at Butler Kahn extend our best wishes to Kholby McGill, his family, and all the students injured in this LaFayette school bus crash. It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. The severity of this crash clearly demonstrates a need for all school buses in Georgia to have seat belts.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Walker County school bus crash? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of Atlanta school bus accident lawyers is here for you. We care deeply that victims get the most compensation possible so that they can focus on their recovery. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how much compensation you may be entitled to, we are here to support you. You can reach out to our office anytime at 678-940-1444.

Jeb Butler

Jeb Butler’s career as a Georgia trial lawyer has led to a $150 million verdict in a product liability case against Chrysler for a dangerous vehicle design that caused the death of a child, a $45 million settlement for a young man who permanently lost the ability to walk and talk, and numerous other verdicts and settlements, many of which are confidential at the defendant’s insistence. Jeb has worked on several cases that led to systemic changes and improvements in public safety. He has been repeatedly recognized as a Georgia SuperLawyer and ranks among Georgia’s legal elite. Jeb graduated in the top 10% of his class at UGA Law, argued on the National Moot Court team, and published in the Law Review. He is the founding partner of Butler Kahn law firm. Connect with me on LinkedIn