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At Chicago Personal Injury Attorney at Law, we fight for individuals and families hurt in crashes involving buses throughout the city. Our Chicago bus accident lawyer has a long track record of success, handling bus accident lawsuits for countless victims in the past. Our lawyers have won millions for passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers injured in bus crashes. Always seek medical care for your bus accident injuries first. Then, contact us for a free case consultation to see if we can hold a negligent bus driver accountable.
Bus accident cases involve strict deadlines and special legal rules that don't apply to regular car crashes. Many victims lose their rights because they wait too long to file claims or miss critical notice requirements that apply only to government vehicles. Our bus accident attorney knows these unique rules and will make sure you meet all required deadlines.
The Chicago Transit Authority and other bus operators have teams of lawyers working to minimize payouts to injured people. These legal teams know most victims don't understand the complex laws governing public transportation claims. We look for examples of driver fatigue and driver error to help you position your case for success.
Chicago sees hundreds of bus accidents each year involving the CTA, school buses, tour buses, and private companies like Greyhound. These crashes often cause more serious injuries than car accidents due to the massive size of buses, lack of seatbelts for passengers, and standing passengers who can be thrown during sudden stops.
Busy routes like #66 Chicago Avenue, #79 79th Street, and #49 Western Avenue see more crashes due to heavy traffic and frequent stops. Downtown areas with congested streets and tight turns create situations where buses may sideswipe parked cars or strike pedestrians in crosswalks. CTA buses make over 18,000 trips daily, with many accidents happening during rush hour periods.
Areas near bus terminals like the one at 95th Street often see higher crash rates due to buses entering and exiting traffic streams. Construction zones create additional hazards when buses must navigate narrow lanes or make unexpected stops. Our firm tracks accident patterns throughout Chicago to identify the most dangerous bus routes and locations.
Bus passengers often suffer injuries when drivers brake suddenly, causing falls inside the vehicle. Many passengers also get hurt while boarding or exiting buses, especially when steps are slippery, or drivers pull away from stops too quickly. Elderly riders face particular risks during these transitions, sometimes suffering hip fractures or head injuries from falls.
Pedestrians struck by buses can suffer catastrophic injuries due to the vehicle's size and weight. These crashes often occur at crosswalks, near bus stops, or when buses make wide turns that bring them over curbs. Drivers of other vehicles involved in bus collisions frequently face serious injuries because the much larger bus can crush smaller cars, leading to traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, and other life-changing harm. We help bus accident victims recover compensation from the at-fault party and insurance company that covers medical expenses and property damage.
Claims against public transit agencies involve legal hurdles that don't exist in regular car accident cases. These special rules protect government agencies from being sued except under specific circumstances and with strict procedural requirements.
Government agencies like the CTA enjoy partial protection from lawsuits under the legal principle called "sovereign immunity." This doctrine limits when and how you can sue public entities, though exceptions exist for the negligent operation of vehicles. Understanding these exceptions becomes crucial to successful claims against public bus operators.
The standard two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases doesn't apply to claims against government entities. Instead, you face much shorter deadlines—often just one year from the accident date. Missing these shortened deadlines means losing your right to compensation completely, regardless of how serious your injuries might be.
Many municipal bus operators require a formal "notice of claim" before you can file a lawsuit. These notices must include specific information about the accident and your injuries, submitted on proper forms to the correct government office. Errors in the notice content or submission process can result in your claim being dismissed.
Chicago Transit Authority claims have particularly strict notice requirements compared to other cities. The notice must be filed within six months of the accident and must contain precise details about the time, location, and circumstances of the incident. Our bus accident lawyer ensures these notices contain all required information and reach the proper authorities within mandated timeframes.
We conduct thorough investigations to determine exactly how the accident happened and who bears responsibility. This often includes obtaining surveillance video from the bus itself, traffic cameras, or nearby businesses before this crucial evidence gets deleted. We also track down and interview witnesses quickly, recognizing that memories fade and contact information changes.
Our legal teams know the tactics used by the Chicago Transit Authority and other carriers to minimize liability. We counter these strategies by building overwhelming evidence of negligence through expert testimony, accident reconstruction, and detailed documentation of your injuries. This powerful case preparation often leads to fair settlements without the need for lengthy trials, though we always prepare as if your case will go to court.
School bus accidents create additional complexities when children suffer injuries during transport to and from school. Multiple parties may share responsibility, including the bus company, the school district, the driver, and maintenance providers. Each entity has different insurance coverage and legal protections that affect your child's claim.
Claims involving injured children require special legal handling to ensure fair compensation for both current and future needs. Children may not show the full effects of injuries until years later, particularly with head trauma that impacts learning and development. We work with medical and educational experts to properly value these claims, considering the potential lifetime impact of injuries sustained during crucial developmental years.
Yes, you can sue the Chicago Transit Authority, but you must follow strict procedural rules, including filing a formal notice of claim within six months. These requirements differ from regular personal injury claims and require careful attention to detail.
For CTA and other government-operated buses, you generally have one year from the accident date to file a lawsuit, but must submit a notice of claim much sooner (within six months). Private bus company claims typically follow the standard two-year deadline for personal injury cases in Illinois.
You can still pursue a claim if you were injured while boarding or exiting a bus, as operators have a duty to provide safe entry and exit. These cases often involve issues like driver negligence in pulling away too soon, unsafe bus steps, or failure to kneel the bus for elderly or disabled passengers.
Yes, pedestrians struck by buses have the same right to compensation as passengers or other drivers. These claims often involve serious injuries due to the size difference between buses and pedestrians.
Fault in bus accidents is determined through investigation of driver actions, maintenance records, camera footage, witness statements, and sometimes accident reconstruction. Multiple parties may share blame, including the bus driver, other motorists, the transit authority, maintenance contractors, or even vehicle manufacturers.
Don't face the complex world of bus accident claims alone. At Chicago Personal Injury Attorney at Law, our experienced bus accident lawyer offers free case evaluations to discuss your options and explain the special rules that apply to your situation. We operate on a contingency fee basis, so you don't owe us anything unless we help you recover compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free case review, and let's hold the responsible party accountable.
