Chicago Bus Accident Lawyer

Bus accidents can leave you seriously injured and unable to live life on your own terms. You shouldn’t have to suffer due to someone else’s negligence. You have every right to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit for the catastrophic injuries you’ve suffered and the emotional trauma you’ve experienced because of the accident.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a bus accident, reach out to a Chicago bus accident lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for help in getting justice and compensation for your injuries.

You Have a Limited Time to File a Bus Accident Claim in Chicago, IL

Your bus accident claim has to be filed within a specific time frame known as the statute of limitations. For a personal injury case or wrongful death lawsuit, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident.

Illinois state law places specific conditions when suing a government entity. If your accident was caused by a city-operated bus, you’ll need to seek compensation from the Chicago Transit Authority within one year of when the accident happened.

It’s important to work with an experienced bus accident lawyer who understands the nuances of the statute of limitations to protect your rights and not have your case dismissed on a technicality. This is one of the first legal aspects we’ll consider in your free case evaluation as we put together the best plan of action for your claim.

Types of Cases Handled by Our Chicago Bus Accident Attorneys

Our Chicago bus accident lawyers are highly skilled at handling any bus accident case. We follow a results-oriented process to give you the best chance of securing maximum compensation. You can retain our services for any type of bus accident, including crashes involving:

• School Buses: Accidents involving school buses are a common occurrence due to several factors, including fatigued school bus drivers and distracted driving. We have dedicated school bus accident attorneys to handle these types of cases.
• CTA Buses: Our Chicago CTA accident lawyers can help you recover compensation if you or your vehicle was struck by a city bus operated by the Chicago Transit Authority.
• Charter Buses: Organizations and delegations often charter buses for easy transportation. We can help you pursue them for damages if the accident was caused by a charter bus from private bus companies.
• Tour Buses: Official tour buses, either operated by the city or private bus companies.

The Most Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Chicago

While bus accidents happen not as frequently as other car accidents, they can typically be more dangerous due to the size and weight of the bus, in addition to the dozen or more people inside at any time. The causes tend to be fairly similar in most bus accidents, such as:

• Inexperienced Bus Drivers: Buses are very large vehicles and proper training is required to operate them safely. Inexperienced bus drivers who lack adequate training often cause serious bus accidents.
• Driver Fatigue: Bus drivers may have long routes with strict itineraries. Fatigue can set in after hours behind the wheel, impairing the safe operation of the bus.
• Distracted Driving: Whether they’re distracted by their phone or a passenger nuisance, if bus drivers are unable to pay attention to the road, they may end up in an accident. 
• Drunk or Reckless Driving: Drunk driving is another common cause of accidents, as is reckless driving when negligent bus drivers fail to follow the rules of the road.
• Vehicle Faults: Buses that aren’t properly maintained might develop faults or a manufacturing defect might prevent safe operation.

The Basis of Bus Accident Claims

When you bring a claim against the at-fault party, you’ll need to establish they owed you a duty of care and their negligence led to a breach of that duty of care causing the accident and the resulting injuries to you. For example, you may have a case against the CTA if it is established that poor vehicle maintenance resulted in an issue leading to you being injured in a bus crash. 

Common Carriers Under Illinois Law

The common carrier doctrine says a common carrier isn’t the sole guarantor of the safety of all passengers. However, it does have a duty to passengers to utilize the highest degree of care consistent with the mode of conveyance used to protect the safety of passengers. If the carrier fails to fulfill this duty, it can be considered negligence.

Legal Liability for Bus Crashes in Chicago

Even though the bus driver is responsible for safely operating the bus, they may not be the only party with liability for your accident. Other parties may have been negligent in their own way and you may be entitled to claim compensation from them. The potentially liable parties for a Chicago bus crash may include:

• Public Transit Company: The CTA is a transit company that operates Chicago Transit Authority buses in the city for public transportation. You may have a claim against this government entity if the accident involving the bus was caused by the driver.
• Charter or Intercity Bus Company: Companies providing buses for charter or running intercity buses like Greyhound may be similarly liable for negligent acts resulting in a bus accident in Chicago.
• School District: School buses are typically owned and operated by the districts who may be liable for an accident caused by school bus drivers.
• Bus Manufacturer: If the bus has manufacturing defects preventing its safe operation, the manufacturer could be found liable, particularly if they had prior knowledge of the faults or didn’t issue a recall in time.

Proving Fault in Bus Accident Cases

Since Illinois follows an at-fault doctrine, negligent parties who are clearly at fault for the accident are required to pay compensation to the victim. Solid evidence is required to establish fault which may include accident reports, medical bills, witness statements, and expert testimonies. 

The percentage of fault for all parties in an accident is determined based on the comparative negligence framework followed in Illinois. Your settlement will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. 

For example, if you’re 20% responsible for the accident, the settlement is reduced by that amount. If you’re 51% or more responsible, you’re not eligible to claim damages.

What to Do After a Bus Accident in Chicago

Being involved in a bus accident can be a terrifying ordeal. You should always call 911 first so emergency medical services are dispatched right away. Your next steps will be very important as they can influence your case. If you are not seriously injured, do not leave the scene without doing the following:

• Capturing Evidence: Record evidence at the crash site. The photos and videos you take will be useful later for highlighting who was at fault and what damage was caused.
• File a Police Report: The police will have likely turned up at the scene. Give them a detailed version of how the accident happened and secure a copy of the report for your records.
• Contact a Bus Accident Lawyer: You should contact a Chicago area lawyer soon after the accident as you’ll need professional representation to secure maximum compensation.

Always remember to never admit fault for the accident, either to the bus operator or the insurance company.  Engage in all discussions and negotiations only when your lawyer is present.

Financial Compensation We Can Secure for Injured Bus Accident Victims

How much you receive in damages for your bus accident depends on factors, such as the number of defendants you’re suing, the extent of your injuries, and insurance policy limits. There’s no set amount every victim receives as the payout is different for every case depending upon its unique facts and circumstances.

Our Chicago bus accident lawyers have decades of experience in securing major settlements for victims. We recently helped a client with a $680,000 settlement against the driver and the charter bus company after an accident caused by the bus driver dozing off during a late-night service.

Factors Affecting Bus Accident Settlement Amounts

The chain of events is different for every bus accident and so is the aftermath. There may be one accident where people don’t suffer injuries while there may be a bus passenger fatality in another. The following factors can influence how much you may win in damages for a personal injury claim:

• Severity of Injuries: The greater the victim’s injuries, the higher the settlement will likely be, as their Chicago bus accident lawyer will push for a larger settlement.
• Insurance Policy Limits: Government entities, private parties, and school districts operating a school bus may only be carrying the minimum insurance coverage as required by law, which can cap your potential settlement. Rest assured, our Chicago bus accident lawyers will utilize every legal option to get you properly compensated.
• Evidence and Witnesses: Irrefutable evidence forms the basis of every solid compensation claim for a bus accident in Chicago. Eyewitness statements are very useful when establishing negligence of the bus driver. 
• Cost of Losses: The actual losses suffered due to the accident are quantified and become part of the settlement amount. So whether your car was totaled beyond repair in the accident or some valuables in your car were damaged, your claim will take these into account.

The Most Common Injuries Among Bus Accident Victims

Depending on how the accident happened, bus crash victims can often suffer severe injuries, including fatal injuries as well as emotional distress from being in a big accident. Some of the most common injuries we see include:

• Broken Bones: A forceful impact during the accident can result in broken bones and fractures which may never fully heal and lead to significant mobility issues.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: The spinal cord is a crucial part of the body and injuries can result in quadriplegia or paraplegia, which is the paralysis of the victim’s limbs. 
• Serious Head Injuries: Blunt force trauma to the head can result in traumatic brain injuries that may be fatal in Illinois bus accidents.
• Permanent Scarring: Whether from road rash, bruising, cuts from shards of metal and glass damaged in the crash, permanent scarring of the skin can occur, with deep lacerations often requiring surgery.

Damages a Chicago Bus Accident Attorney Can Help You Recover

Working with a lawyer provides you with the best possible opportunity to recover compensation to help regain control of your life after a bus accident. You’ll be able to claim economic damages to compensate you for your medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. 

Our law firm will also help you recover non-economic damages if the accident has reduced your quality of life, limited your future earning potential or caused significant emotional trauma. 

The loved ones of victims fatally injured in Chicago bus accidents can file for wrongful death damages against the responsible parties. These damages will compensate them for funeral and burial expenses, loss of consortium, and the loss of companionship. 

Filing a Bus Accident Lawsuit With Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

We stand with you every step of the way to ensure the responsible parties pay the compensation you deserve. Our law firm follows a results-oriented process to passionately pursue your injury claim and get you a settlement you’ll be happy with. The process involves: 

• Free Consultation – You receive a no-obligation free consultation in which our lawyers will study every aspect of your case and weigh it against local and federal laws providing you with the best legal options for securing the most in compensation.
• Accident Investigation – An independent investigation of the accident scene is then carried out to secure all evidence, establishing a clear chain of events establishing the at-fault parties’ negligence. 
• Negotiations With Insurance Company – Once we’ve put together a solid injury claim, negotiations with the insurance company will begin and we’ll leverage our years of experience in winning major settlements to get you the best deal.
• Going to Trial – In the event a settlement can’t be reached, our lawyers will immediately prepare to take your case to trial, and will provide forceful advocacy to win a favorable jury verdict.

Chicago Bus Accident Statistics

Data from several different sources shows Chicago bus accidents occur at high rates and continue to pose a real risk to all road users, including serious injuries and fatalities. These statistics shed light on how more still needs to be done for buses to no longer be a threat to other road users. 

• Buses with over 15 seats were involved in 1,476 bus accidents in Chicago [1]
• 765 bus accidents involving buses with 9 to 15 seats were also reported in Chicago [3]
  
• Over 301 bus passengers were injured in 1,881 Cook County accidents [2]
  
• Most recent NSC data shows 5 Illinois school bus accidents resulted in deaths [3]
  
• CTA’s crash factor is  36 hours, meaning there is a CTA bus crash every day and a half [4]

The Time It Takes to Settle a Chicago Bus Accident Case

It typically takes a few months to settle a bus accident case. If there are no unnecessary delays, you can expect to get a settlement sooner. Complex cases involving multiple defendants such as operators and bus companies, government entities, prolonged negotiations, and trials can require a year or even more to resolve.

That’s why it’s so important to be proactive in hiring a Chicago bus accident attorney after your accident. Not only does this ensure your claim is filed well within the statute of limitations but you’ll also save valuable time as the process begins without delay.

The Cost of Hiring an Experienced Chicago Bus Accident Lawyer

You shouldn’t have to worry about figuring out how to pay for quality legal representation after a commercial bus accident turns your life upside down. 

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we passionately pursue all bus accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You won’t have to pay a single cent upfront as we fight for you, including a trial if necessary, to recover fair compensation.

Our fee is a percentage of your confirmed settlement offer. If you don’t win, you don’t have to pay us anything. By aligning our incentive with the outcome, we remain steadfast in pursuing all legal options to make sure you win big.

Contact Our Chicago Bus Accident Lawyers Today!

Call us at (888) 424-5757 to schedule a free consultation. You’ll be connected to one of our expert lawyers who’ll answer all of your questions and help guide you on the next steps for a personal injury lawsuit.

We also serve clients from Buffalo Grove, Champaign, Naperville, Springfield  and throughout Illinois.

Resources: [1] Illinois DOT, [2] Illinois DOT, [3] NSC, [4] ABC7