Chicago Bus Accident Lawyer
You trust that the driver will safely reach your destination when you step onto a bus. You also expect that the bus will be in good condition and that the driver will obey traffic laws. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Every year, there are thousands of bus crashes across the country. These Chicago bus accidents can cause serious injuries and even death.
You must know your rights if you have been injured or know an injured party in a Chicago bus accident by contacting a bus accident lawyer. Victims of bus crashes can seek compensation for their injuries. This compensation can help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Each year, buses are involved in countless accidents that leave passengers with severe injuries. If you have been injured in a bus accident, speak with personal injury attorneys at the Injury Lawyer Team, sponsored by Rosenfeld Law Offices.
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Contact a Chicago bus accident attorney to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information shared with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
Bus Accident Injury and Fatality Statistics
Every day, people all over the country step onto buses to get to their destinations. For many, this is a mundane event that doesn’t require much thought. However, most people don’t realize that buses can be incredibly dangerous if something goes wrong.
Bus accident injuries and fatalities are much more common than accidents involving smaller vehicles.
There are several reasons for this. For one, buses are much larger and heavier than cars, meaning that most bus crashes result in much more damage in a collision. Additionally, buses typically travel at higher speeds on busy roads, increasing the chances of an accident.
And finally, because buses are used by so many people every day, the consequences of a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus accident can be devastating. Hundreds of people can be injured in a bus crash, and injuries can be severe.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were over 4,000 injuries and 330 fatalities due to accidents in 2016. The data represents only a tiny snapshot of the total number of people injured or killed in bus crashes yearly.
- In 2020, there were nearly 1,300 people killed in bus crashes, primarily because of negligent driving. That’s a significant increase from the year before when there were only 981 fatalities.
- Of those killed in bus crashes in 2020, nearly 60% were bus passengers, while the remaining 40% were pedestrians, drivers, or passengers in other vehicles.
- Most fatal bus accidents occur on rural roads, where the speeds are higher, and there is less room for error.
- Bus crashes can also cause significant damage to infrastructure. In 2020, there were more than $200 million in damages caused by bus crashes.
- Many injuries sustained in bus crashes are severe and require long-term care. In 2020, the average cost of a personal injury claim resulting from a bus crash was $51,000.
Data from Illinois Bus Accidents
There were 1,549 Illinois bus accidents in 2020. These accidents resulted in 279 injuries and 24 fatalities. While these numbers may seem small compared to the number of car accidents, bus accident consequences can be much more severe.
Buses are a common way of transportation, especially for those who live in or near large cities. Besides public transportation buses, tour buses and school buses go around daily.
Bus accident victims can often sustain injuries that will affect them for an extended time and suffer from several different injuries simultaneously. The most common injuries include head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones.
The effects of a bus accident can be life-altering. Victims may require extensive medical treatment (with expensive medical bills) and may be unable to return to work for an extended period. They may also need help taking care of their day-to-day tasks.
Common Accident Injuries Affecting Bus Passengers
Buses are a common means of transportation, but the consequences can be disastrous when something goes wrong, resulting in an auto accident. Injuries sustained in bus accidents are often more severe than those in car accidents because of the size and weight of the bus.
Some common bus accident injuries include:
- Head injuries – A head injury is one of the most common and serious injuries sustained in a bus accident. The force of a collision can cause the head to jerk forward and then back, which can lead to a concussion or even worse.
- Neck injuries – The sudden stop or acceleration that often occurs in bus accidents can cause neck injuries such as whiplash. These injuries can be harrowing and may require surgery or long-term rehabilitation.
- Back injuries – Back injuries are also common in bus accidents. The jarring impact of a collision can cause discs to herniate or nerves to become pinched, leading to chronic pain and difficulty moving.
- Internal injuries – When a bus crashes, passengers are often thrown around inside the vehicle, resulting in internal injuries such as ruptured organs or broken bones. These injuries can be fatal if not treated properly.
- Burns – Bus accidents can also result in severe burns if an explosion or fire occurs. Victims may require extensive skin grafts and long-term treatment to recover from these burns.
- Spinal cord injuries – A spinal cord injury can be one of the most disabling injuries sustained in a bus accident. Victims may lose movement or sensation in their limbs and require lifelong care and assistance.
- Psychological trauma – Many victims of bus accidents experience psychological trauma after the crash. They may suffer from flashbacks, nightmares, or other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Emotional trauma – Many people in bus accidents suffer from emotional trauma, which can lead to long-term mental health issues.
- Hearing loss – Loud noises are common during bus accidents and can cause permanent hearing loss.
- Vision loss – The same forces that can cause hearing loss can also cause vision loss due to sudden pressure changes inside the head.
- Chest and abdominal injuries – A seatbelt is not always enough to protect passengers from a bus accident’s chest and abdominal injuries. These injuries can be severe and even fatal.
- Death – Tragically, bus accidents often result in death for some or all passengers involved. Families who have lost loved ones in a bus accident may face lifelong financial and emotional struggles.
Many may believe that Chicago bus accidents occur infrequently. But when an accident happens on a CTA bus, and you sustain injuries, it’s important to discuss bus accident cases with an experienced Chicago bus accident lawyer.
Why Bus Accidents Are So Deadly
Buses are a common sight on the roads across America, ferrying people to their destinations. While buses are often a safe way to travel, the consequences can be disastrous when something goes wrong. Unfortunately, bus crashes happen not only with public transportation but with school buses, tour buses, and even when involved in car accidents.
Here are some reasons why bus accidents are so deadly:
- Buses are larger and heavier than other vehicles, which makes them more challenging to stop and increases the risk of serious injury or death in the event of a collision.
- Bus drivers are responsible for many passengers, which can lead to distraction and dangerous driving.
- Many buses lack basic safety features such as seat belts, airbags, and crush zones, which can lead to serious injuries in a bus crash.
- Poor maintenance by the bus owner company and inadequate responsible driver training can lead to mechanical failures and unsafe driving practices.
- People often sit near one another, making it difficult to escape during a collision, or even wear seat belts (when available).
- Buses often travel at high speeds on busy roads, increasing the risk of collisions with other vehicles.
- Road hazards such as potholes and construction zones can easily cause bus accidents.
- Driver fatigue can lead to bus accidents when a bus driver works long hours between stops.
- Poor visibility due to weather conditions or poor lighting can lead to a bus accident case.
- Reckless driving by bus drivers or passengers can easily cause accidents with other vehicles.
- Bus drivers can be inexperienced or distracted, leading to passenger and pedestrian accidents.
- Bus passengers can be injured if they do not wear seat belts properly.
- Driver error through inexperience, distraction, or impairment can lead to catastrophic crashes.
- Bus windows often do not open, making it difficult for passengers to escape in an emergency.
- Buses can easily tip over, especially on curves or in icy conditions.
- Many buses lack safety features like airbags and crumple zones.
- There is typically little space between buses and other vehicles or obstacles, leading to collisions.
The Devastation of a School Bus Accident
Every day across the United States, school buses transport millions of children to and from school. While the majority of these trips occur without incident, when accidents do happen, they can be catastrophic.
An accident involving children can occur not just on the bus but also when children get on and off the bus, with other pedestrians and drivers nearby.
Every parent’s worst nightmare is their child being hurt in a school bus crash. But unfortunately, this is a reality for many families across the United States.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 291 school-bus-related fatalities between 2012 and 2021. That’s an average of 29 deaths per year.
These numbers account for fatalities while children are on the bus. They don’t include accidents that happen while kids are getting on or off the bus or those that take place while the bus is parked or at a bus stop.
If your child was injured in a bus crash, contact a bus accident lawyer from our law offices for a free consultation to discuss your situation.
We’ll take immediate action to hold the responsible parties accountable for a bus accident claim.
Chicago Transit Authority Operates Transit Buses
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus accidents are often the result of negligent bus drivers who disregard the safety of their passengers. CTA buses are a common way to get around Chicago, but the consequences can be disastrous when something goes wrong.
The CTA is one of the country’s largest and most popular public transportation providers. Each day, the CTA operates hundreds of buses throughout the city. While most of these trips are without incident, CTA bus accidents can be severe and often result from bus driver negligence.
CTA buses operate on city streets, roadways, and highways throughout Chicagoland, including Cook County, Kane County, DuPage County, Will County, and Lake County. While transit authorities and the bus company follow strict guidelines making transportation a safe commuting option, many bus accidents still occur.
Contact a CTA bus accident attorney from our law offices for a free consultation if you’ve been involved in a mass transit accident. Our legal team is used to determining fault in bus accident cases and will hold the bus driver, city, bus company, and other parties responsible for causing the crash.
Precautions to Stay Safe While Traveling by Bus
With so many buses on the road, it’s essential to be aware of their dangers if something goes wrong. Bus accident consequences can be severe, so taking precautions is necessary to stay safe.
Here are ten tips for staying safe when traveling by bus:
- Always wear a seat belt. It is imperative when traveling on a bus that is moving at high speeds. In the event of a collision, a seat belt will keep you from being thrown around the bus and could save your life.
- Be aware of your surroundings. When getting on or off the bus, ensure you are aware of your surroundings and watch for oncoming traffic.
- Stay away from the front of the bus. The front of the bus is the most dangerous part in the event of a collision.
- Keep your belongings close to you. Don’t leave your belongings unattended on the bus, and ensure they are stored in a place where they won’t fall or be damaged in the event of a collision.
- Keep your head and hands inside the bus at all times. In the event of a collision, flying debris can cause serious injuries.
- Don’t eat or drink while traveling on the bus. It can increase your risk of being injured in a collision.
- Be aware of who is around you. Tell the driver immediately if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable with someone on the bus.
- Be prepared for emergencies. Make sure you know where the emergency exits are located and what to do in case of an evacuation.
- Follow all instructions from the driver. Drivers have been trained to deal with emergencies and will give instructions on what to do during an incident.
- Stay calm and don’t panic if there is an accident or emergency.
What to Do After a Chicago Bus Accident
The thought of an accident when stepping onto a bus to get to wherever you’re going probably doesn’t cross your mind very often.
However, buses can pose dangerous consequences if something goes wrong. It is especially true for buses and truck accidents, which can cause severe injury due to their large size alone.
If you’ve been involved in a bus accident, here are some tips to help you through the process:
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
- Gather all of the information you can about the accident. It includes witness statements, photos, and video footage, if available.
- Seek medical attention if you need it.
- Keep track of your expenses related to the accident, including medical bills and lost wages.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your bus accident case.
- Don’t speak to the other party’s insurance company without a Chicago bus accident lawyer present.
- Keep a journal of how the accident has affected your life physically and emotionally.
- Don’t accept a settlement from the other party’s insurance company until you’ve spoken with a Chicago bus accident lawyer.
- Wait until you’ve fully healed before returning to work.
Remember that you are not alone in this process; some people can help you through it. Contact a Chicago bus accident lawyer from our law offices for a free consultation on your case.
Our professionals are used to dealing with personal injury claims involving bus crashes. They will stay with you through every step of this process to get the results and compensation you deserve.
How Chicago Bus Accident Attorneys Can Help Resolve a Compensation Claim
Illinois law provides legal opportunities for bus accident injury victims to recover compensation for damages.
An experienced Chicago bus accident attorney is skilled in resolving a bus accident claim for those who have been injured in a CTA bus accident. Whether you were a passenger on the bus or someone hit by the bus, a personal injury attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.
A personal injury attorney can:
- File a lawsuit on your behalf and work to get you the compensation you deserve.
- Gather evidence from the accident scene
- Consult with experts
- Negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company.
- Represent you in court and fight for your rights.
- Get you the medical care you need to recover from your injuries.
- Assist with paperwork and other legal matters related to your case.
- Keep you informed of the progress on your case and answer any questions you have.
- Deal with the insurance company on your behalf.
- Fight for a fair settlement that covers all of your losses.
- Handle all aspects of your case so you can concentrate on healing.
- Take care of all the legal details so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
These are simply some reasons why contacting an experienced attorney as soon as possible after the event is of the utmost importance.
A specialized professional will be able to help you get through this process and succeed in your claim against the responsible party. At the same time, you can take the appropriate time to heal from the traumatic experience of being involved in a bus accident.
Hiring a Chicago Bus Accident Attorney to File a Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Were you hurt in a bus accident and seeking to hold the bus driver, bus company, bus manufacturer, or another party responsible for your damages? An experienced Chicago bus accident lawyer from our law offices represents injured victims harmed by others’ negligence. Our legal team specializes in accidents involving buses.
Our bus accident lawyer will guide you through every step of the way. They are experienced in the process and will be able to get a fair settlement for your situation or get your case to trial if needed.
Contact our Chicago bus accident lawyers today to schedule a free consultation. We accept all personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning if we do not win your case, you do not pay our legal fees.
All confidential or sensitive information your share with our Chicago bus accident lawyers remains private through an attorney-client relationship. Our experienced Chicago bus accident attorneys represent clients throughout Illinois, including those in Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, Winnebago County, Sangamon County, and Will County.