Chicago Bus Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Chicago bus accident, contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers. We will review your case and determine the best course of action to get you the compensation you deserve. Call our office today for a free consultation with an experienced Chicago bus accident lawyer. We are here to help you get justice and put the pieces of your life back together.

Should I Accept a Bus Accident Settlement?

Transportation companies often try to offer people injured in a crash or their families settlements to quickly close cases. The faster a personal injury case can be closed, the less damage it does to the company’s reputation and profitability. This is why you need a Chicago bus accident lawyer on your side. While it may be tempting to accept a the first settlement offer, you should have an experienced personal injury attorney examine it first and negotiate on your behalf.

At The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, we understand the complexities of bus accident cases. We have extensive experience representing victims injured in Chicago bus accidents. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping you get the maximum compensation available to bus accident victims under Illinois law.

We will fight for your rights as an injured party. Our attorneys can help you recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages suffered because of a bus accident. We will work diligently to ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable for their actions.

Bus Laws in Chicago

While some laws regarding transportation and personal vehicles may apply to buses, there is a specific set of laws that apply to public transportation. These are called common carrier laws and apply to any company that offers transportation services for a fee.

Nearly all busses in Chicago and all bus companies throughout the region including Cook County, Kane County, Lake County, and DuPage County are affected by common carrier laws. Interestingly, common carrier laws are overseen on a federal level by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), which is responsible for all common carriers.

Common carrier laws are stricter than personal vehicle laws, mainly because they put more people at risk if something should go wrong. The statute outlining common carrier rights and responsibilities also makes it clear that the carrier is responsible for your safety while you are on one of its vehicles.

This is an important part of the law as it lays the responsibility on the carrier if you are hurt in an accident or another incident on the bus. There are few exceptions to the carrier’s responsibility too, so it is very likely that the carrier will be held responsible.

How Common Are Bus Accidents?

Despite the idea that accidents with transit buses are common, bus accidents are actually not that common especially when compared to car accidents. In fact, they have a slightly better record than that of personal vehicles. Most of the time, bus drivers are able to get the vast majority of bus passengers to reach their destination safely.

Public Perception

While CTA bus accidents may be rare, they often become the focus of news reporting when they do happen. So, many people think that CTA bus accidents occur far more often than they actually do. But when an accident does happen on a CTA bus and you sustain injuries, be sure to discuss your case with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Chicago

Bus accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, many of which are the same as those that cause car or truck accidents. Driver error is one common cause of bus accidents in Chicago. This includes speeding, failure to yield, failing to stop at a red light, and other forms of negligence and distracted driving.

Another factor that contributes to bus accidents is poor vehicle maintenance. Poorly maintained brakes, tires, and other parts can all lead to an accident. Additionally, the design or construction of roads can also contribute to an accident if it isn’t up to code or doesn’t meet safety standards for public transportation vehicles. Finally, weather conditions such as snow or icy roads can also make driving a CTA bus more dangerous and lead to an unfortunate crash.

It is important to note that, while there are numerous potential causes of bus accidents, they are rarely the fault of the passengers. In most cases, it is the responsibility of the driver or transport service to ensure that everyone on board arrives safely. If a passenger happens to be injured in an accident due to negligence or other factors, they have every right to seek legal recourse and compensation for their damages.

Contact Us If You Have Been Injured in a Bus Accident

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Chicago bus accident, contact The Kryder Law Group as soon as possible. We understand exactly how devastating bus accidents can be and will do everything we can to get you the justice and compensation you deserve. An experienced CTA bus accident attorney from our law firm can help you understand your rights and will fight hard to get you the maximum amount of compensation for your claim. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

Types of Bus Accident Injuries

Being a passenger in a bus crash can result in a variety of injuries. They are mostly the same kinds of injuries that often occur in accidents with personal vehicles like a car accident.

However, there is an overall higher chance of injury in a bus accident because there are few, if any, personal crash protection systems in buses. Most bus crashes result in bruising, concussions, and lacerations (cuts). Broken bones are also relatively common in more severe accidents.

Possibility of Fatality

In the rarest Chicago bus accidents where the structure of the bus is compromised, it is possible to receive fatal injuries upon impact. These often occur when buses are hit by other large vehicles, like trucks, and other buses.

It is also possible to be ejected from a bus in such a crash, although this is exceedingly rare. Because of the open structure of a bus, people are more likely to move around inside and receive blunt force injuries from hitting other people and hard surfaces.

Past Bus Accidents

Chicago has had several bus crash incidents in the past few years. Most recently, a CTA bus crashed into a building on the Far South Side after losing control from being struck by another vehicle. Four people were injured. In another accident, a CTA bus driver had a medical emergency and lost control of the bus. It swerved out of its lane, across the other lanes, and hit a tree. Only four people were seriously injured. Another bus accident in Chicago involved a bus hitting an SUV that sent 11 people to the hospital.

Bus Accidents Are Still Unlikely

There are not many accidents involving buses, so elevated caution when riding the bus is not needed. Whether you’re riding in school buses or CTA busses or any other type of bus, you are still very unlikely to be involved in or seriously injured in a bus accident.

An Experienced Chicago Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you’re in a bus accident, you need an experienced Chicago bus accident lawyer protecting your interests. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys can help you understand your rights after being involved in a bus accident.

Even if a bus accident doesn’t result in fatalities, the size and momentum of a bus can cause severe injuries. Bus accidents can be complex to litigate due a variety of factors. So be sure to have an experienced Chicago bus accident attorney on your side to guide you through the complexities of the legal process of a bus accident claim.

Determining Fault in a Bus Crash

Determining who is at fault for a bus accident is one of the more important aspects of a bus accident claim. Responsibility for a bus accident could fall one or many parties ranging from the bus driver themselves to the company or organization that employs them. Any of the following parties could be held responsible after a bus accident:

• Bus driver
• Other negligent drivers
• Bus management company
• Bus equipment manufacturers
• Government organizations, if a public bus

Do Not Settle For Less

Settlement numbers can be in the millions of dollars, but they are often based on a value that people will agree to, not a value that will provide the level of medical and other support needed for the rest of the victims’ lives.

A bus accident lawyer in Chicago can examine the settlement, advise you, and negotiate with the transportation company to make sure that you get an amount that will help you as long as you need assistance especially if you’ve suffered serious injuries that could have a long term effect on your life.

The Kryder Law Group, LLC Has The Experience You Need

Our lawyers are familiar with the different kind of bus accidents you might experience. Whether it’s a charter bus, a Chicago Transit Authority bus, a private bus company such as Greyhound and Megabus, or a school bus, our lawyers have the experience to investigate your case and win you the compensation you deserve.

We have helped thousands of accident victims, like you, to recover millions of dollars. Some examples of our previous personal injury cases include:

• $2 million dollar recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
• $3 million dollar recovery for the family of a man killed by a truck making an illegal turn.
• $500,000 for a crash-related neck injury.
• Many other six figure results for transportation and car accidents.

What To Do After a Bus Accident

Get Medical Care

As with any vehicle accident, it’s important to make sure anyone injured in the accident receives prompt medical care. This should always be your priority.

Gather Documentation

It’s also important to document the scene and take down contact information for everyone involved in the crash. Gathering any all documentation about the accident and how it might have happened could be a significant determining factor in how successful your claim can be.

Collect Witness Accounts

Gathering witness contact information is also critical especially in cases where there is no video documentation of the accident itself.

Talk to Our Chicago Bus Accident Lawyers

When bus accidents occur, our attorneys in Chicago can shepherd you through the legal side of things, so that you can focus on recovering from your trauma or caring for a suffering loved one.

Statute Limitations on Filing Claims Related to a Bus Crash Injury in Illinois

In Illinois, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim related to personal injuries suffered as a result of a bus crash (735 ILCS 5/13-202). This time limit can be extended if there is evidence of negligence on behalf of government entities such as the Chicago Transit Authority. The same goes for cases involving minors who are injured bus accident victims who, in most cases, are given additional time to file claims.

Contact an Experienced Bus Accident Lawyer in Chicago Now

If you or someone close to you has been injured in a bus accident, contact our attorneys at The Kryder Law Group, LLC today. We will provide aggressive and knowledgeable legal representation that will give you peace of mind during this difficult time. We understand how challenging it can be going up against powerful transportation companies, and we are here to help you every step of the way.

Common Carrier Law

The “common carrier law” can also influence how your case goes after a bus accident. This law applies to any form of public transportation, such as buses or trolleys, and holds the carrier to a higher standard for ensuring passenger safety than the average person. However, it is still the responsibility of the injured party to prove negligence on the part of the driver or government entity in charge.

How to Prove Negligence in a Bus Accident Case

The attorneys at The Kryder Law Group, LLC are ready to help you discover if there is an issue of negligence in your bus accident case. Our team of lawyers will use the following methods to build a strong case on your behalf:

• Obtain video footage and police reports related to the accident.
• Collect eyewitness accounts and other evidence.
• Speak with expert witnesses who can provide support for our side of the argument.
• Make arguments based on “common carrier law” and other applicable laws.

Our Chicago bus accident attorneys are patient and understanding of the difficulties associated with such cases, so don’t hesitate to reach out for help today. Get in touch with us now for a free consultation and we’ll be sure to answer any questions you may have.

Our Chicago Bus Accident Attorneys Are Ready to Help You

A Chicago bus accident lawyer at The Kryder Law Group, LLC has the knowledge and experience to handle your case and fight for you to get the compensation you need to help you recover from your injuries and help lift some of the financial burden from medical bills and lost wages.

Free Consultation

Do not hesitate to get in touch with us. A bus accident attorney from our law firm can examine your situation and help you determine if you have a personal injury claim and what kind of compensation you may be entitled to. Our Chicago bus accident lawyers can do this at no cost to you. Call today for a free consultation.