Were you injured in a recent bus accident in Chicago, IL? If so, you may have the right to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, your time may be limited. An experienced Chicago bus accident lawyer can handle your legal claim while you focus on your recovery.
After an injury, it is critical that you choose an experienced bus accident attorney who understands the complex legal issues and rules involved in these types of legal claims. This type of case may involve taking legal action against the government and the complex issue of sovereign immunity. Or, you could be going up against a powerful company with an arsenal of defense lawyers.
Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers have over 35 years of combined experience. We have recovered over $250 million, including over 75 settlements and verdicts of $1+ million. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation at (312) 635-5400 to discuss your legal rights.
How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After Your Bus Accident
Bus accidents involve large vehicles, multiple passengers, and often no seat belts, so injuries can vary widely. If you were seriously injured in a bus accident, you may not have the fortitude to take on a complex legal claim on your own. However, you might be facing mounting medical bills and financial uncertainty.
Our Chicago personal injury lawyers can help you:
- Discuss the accident with you during a free and confidential case consultation
- Investigate the accident to determine how it happened and who is responsible
- Hire accident reconstruction experts, as necessary, to establish liability and causation
- Build a personalized legal strategy based on the specifics of your case
- Demand maximum compensation
- File a lawsuit against the responsible parties, if necessary
You can learn more about your legal rights when you hire an experienced Chicago bus accident attorney. Contact Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers today.
Chicago Bus Accident Statistics
Many people think of buses as safe forms of alternative transportation. After all, state and federal regulations require strict adherence to rules, and bus companies hire professional drivers. However, bus accidents happen with alarming regularity in Chicago, Illinois.
The Chicago Transit Authority is the second-largest public transportation system in the United States, second only to New York City. This system includes 1,868 buses that operate 127 routes across 1,514 miles, making 15,943 daily trips and service to 10,633 bus stops. With a system this large, it’s possible for unsafe drivers to be hired, buses to go uninspected, and problems to arise.
Additionally, other types of buses besides cities operate throughout the city, including school buses, buses for large companies like Greyhound, and private tour buses. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the state suffered the following bus accidents in 2022:
- 903 school bus crashes, including injuries to 83 children and 28 bus drivers
- 2,832 crashes involving other types of buses, including 519 injury and 6 fatal accidents
If you have been injured in a bus accident, you are not alone. Many others have suffered from bus accidents too.
What Kinds of Injuries Do Bus Accidents Cause?
Bus accidents can result in serious injuries. Our law firm can pursue compensation for severe injuries you sustain in a bus crash, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Leg or arm injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones
- Crushing injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Let our legal team fight for the justice and financial accountability you deserve while you focus on your recovery.
Financial Compensation for Bus Accidents
Illinois law allows personal injury victims to recover compensation for the economic and non-economic damages they sustain due to the negligence of others. Economic damages compensate accident victims for direct financial losses they incur because of the accident, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Ongoing rehabilitation and physical therapy costs
Non-economic damages compensate accident victims for less tangible losses they experience because of the accident, such as pain and suffering or lost quality of life due to disabilities or impairments caused by the accident.
Combined, economic and non-economic damages are referred to as “compensatory damages.”
Why Do Chicago Bus Accidents Happen So Frequently?
Some of the underlying causes of bus accidents include:
- Fatigued driving: Bus drivers must work long shifts, and many work beyond their physical capabilities. Fatigued driving can cause delayed reactions, poor judgment, and problems properly evaluating information that is necessary to prevent a crash, mimicking the symptoms drunk drivers have.
- Inexperienced drivers: Operating a bus all day is a hard job, so many cities, including Chicago, suffer from a shortage of qualified drivers. Bus companies and school districts may get desperate and hire unskilled drivers who do not know how to operate these large vehicles properly.
- Unsafe driving practices: Buses are much larger than passenger vehicles, and some bus drivers operate the bus in an unsafe way, assuming that other motorists will get out of their way. They may speed, fail to use turn signals, follow too closely, or run red lights. Other motorists should reasonably expect other motorists to follow the rules of the road, but not all of them do.
- Distractions: Bus drivers may have many things competing for their attention, including navigation instructions, passenger conversations, dispatch information, etc. When bus drivers are distracted, they are more likely to be involved in an accident.
- Negligent maintenance: Having a bus offline can mess up routes and create a greater burden on already-taxed bus drivers. Bus companies may skip inspections or fail to maintain vehicles regularly, which can cause mechanical failure during a pivotal moment.
An experienced bus accident lawyer can review your case to determine how the crash occurred and who is responsible for the damages you sustained.
What Is My Bus Accident Claim Worth?
Bus accidents can leave a lasting impact on victims. These claims are complex, and each one has its own specific factors that can affect the potential compensation a victim can receive, such as:
- The nature and severity of their injuries
- How many other people were injured in the same crash
- The insurance coverage available
- Their age, health, and earning capacity
- Who is responsible for the accident
- Whether they will make a full medical
- The value of their economic damages
- The extent of their pain and suffering
Our personal injury lawyers can evaluate your case and fight tirelessly to maximize your compensation.
What Do I Have to Prove to Win My Bus Accident Case?
In most motor vehicle accident cases, you would have to show the other driver acted negligently in causing the crash, meaning they failed to act in a reasonably safer manner that injured you. However, buses are common carriers under state law, so they are subject to a higher standard of care than other motorists. They have a heightened duty to prevent accidents than regular motorists.
That being said, you will still need strong evidence to prove the bus company or one of its drivers was responsible for the accident. Our personal injury attorneys can gather compelling evidence to support your claim, such as:
- Accident reports
- Accident reconstruction reports
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Onboard video footage
- Footage from traffic cameras
- Personnel or maintenance records
- Black box data
Our Chicago bus accident lawyers know how to build a strong case and have the knowledge, skills, and experience to establish your claim.
When Is the Deadline for Filing a Bus Accident Lawsuit in Illinois?
The time limit you have to file a bus accident lawsuit in Illinois depends on who you are suing. If you are making a claim against CTA, you have one year from the accident date to file a lawsuit. If you are suing a private party or business, you may be subject to Illinois’ personal injury statute of limitations, in which case you would have two years to file a lawsuit.
The best way to determine the deadline for your case is to contact an experienced lawyer today.
Call Our Chicago Bus Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation Today
If you were injured in a bus accident, you deserve fair compensation and treatment. An experienced Chicago bus accident attorney from Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers can help you get what you deserve. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you are never charged for our legal services unless we win your case. Call to schedule your free consultation today.
