Traveling by bus in Chicago is more economical than owning and operating a car, and in many cases, public transportation is safer than driving. Unfortunately, city bus accidents do occur, and injured individuals have the right to file a legal claim for damages against the responsible party.
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., our Chicago bus accident lawyers can investigate and advocate on your behalf while seeking to recover damages to compensate for both past and future harm.
Find out why injury victims throughout Illinois have turned to our team in their worst moments since 2002. Contact us today to discuss your case with a city bus accident lawyer in Chicago.
Bus Accident Claims Involve Government Entities
City buses are owned by the government, and there are unique procedural rules you must follow when pursuing a personal injury claim against a government entity.
When bus drivers cause an accident by negligent driving, the relevant government agency may also be at fault through vicarious liability.
Throughout Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is a public transit service that may be held accountable after a CTA bus accident. For accidents involving school buses, the local school district can be responsible. Pace buses typically operate in the suburbs surrounding the city.
If you’ve been hurt in a bus crash, it’s important to understand which government agency is responsible so you can direct your claim to the right party. A Chicago personal injury lawyer can help identify the correct agency to avoid confusion and complications.
Types of Bus Accidents and Injuries in Chicago
Bus accidents involve vehicular crashes. Below are common types of bus accidents and the injuries they can cause:
- Rear–end crashes. CTA buses and school buses make frequent stops, so it’s relatively easy for drivers to accidentally rear-end them. Rear-end collisions can cause painful neck and spinal cord injuries.
- Falling injuries. Passengers may also lose their footing and fall if the driver takes turns too sharply or accelerates/decelerates abruptly.
- Bus stop accidents. Individuals can get hurt before they even get on the vehicle if they slip and fall at the bus stop.
- Violent altercations. Fights and other violent altercations between bus passengers can cause injuries.
Regardless of what type of bus accident you have been in, you can rely on our Chicago city bus accident lawyers to investigate and identify the parties responsible for your injuries.
Negligent Bus Drivers Can Be Liable for Injuries to Passengers
A negligent bus driver fails to operate their vehicle in an objectively reasonable manner. City bus drivers are required to maintain vigilance, avoiding behavior and maneuvers that pose harm to others. Bus drivers are expected to conduct their work with a degree of care much higher than that required of normal drivers.
Conduct that may be deemed a breach of their duty of care can include:
- Swerving or accelerating rapidly
- Stopping suddenly
- Speeding or ignoring traffic signals
- Not waiting long enough at bus stops
- Driving off while passengers are still boarding
- Distracted driving
- Failing to yield to pedestrians and motorists
The transit agency itself can also be liable if its negligence contributed to the accident. For instance, the school district could be directly liable for a school bus crash if it was caused by mechanical defects due to negligent vehicle maintenance.
Rules for Filing a Claim Against a Government Entity in Chicago
City bus crashes involve government agencies, so you must follow strict procedural rules to file a claim. The most important thing is to give the relevant agency notice of the claim.
This is a separate administrative procedure that must be completed before you can take formal legal action. You have one year from the accident date to file notice, per 745 ILCS 10/8-101.
A notice of claim describes your injuries, the circumstances, and the damages you are seeking. If you neglect to file a notice of claim, you won’t be able to sue, so it’s very important you complete this step.
After receiving the notice, the agency will determine the merits of your case and approve or deny. If they deny your claim, Illinois’ statute of limitations gives you two years to initiate a formal bus accident lawsuit.
Compensation You Can Recover After a Bus Accident in Chicago
After a bus accident, a lawyer can help you file a claim to recover economic damages and non-economic damages for your losses, including the following:
- Medical expenses, including emergency medical bills and future medical treatment
- Lost work income (e.g., hourly pay, bonuses, commissions, etc.) and reductions in your lifetime earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and mental anguish
- Miscellaneous injury–related expenses (e.g., childcare, transportation, housekeeping, etc.)
- Inconvenience and quality of life reductions due to scarring and disfigurement
- Repair or replacement costs for property damages
Consult With Our Skilled City Bus Accident Attorneys in Chicago
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we have extensive experience representing injury victims through the legal process of recovering compensation. Our injury attorneys have a thorough understanding of court procedure and are unafraid to negotiate aggressively with insurance companies.
Our firm has been a reliable legal name in Cook County for over 20 years and will always go to bat to secure our clients the best outcome possible. Contact our offices today to speak to a Chicago city bus accident lawyer about your case.
Consultations are free, and we don’t charge a fee unless we win, so you have nothing to lose by getting in touch.
