If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a bus accident, contact a Chicago bus accident lawyer from our personal injury law firm today. We will review your case and determine the best course of action to get you the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries.
In this Article
Who Is Responsible for Bus Transportation in Illinois?
Private and government entities responsible for bus transportation in Illinois include:
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) oversees the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace bus systems in the Chicagoland area.
The CTA is responsible for transit buses within the city.
School districts are responsible for providing vehicles that ensure children will be bussed safely. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) requires seat belts on their busses.
Private bus companies may also operate buses for charter or tour services.
United States Passenger Carrier Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets federal passenger carrier regulations with higher safety and care standards for interstate travel compared to other drivers. These strict rules are put in place to protect passengers from harm and ensure that bus companies are held fully accountable when an accident occurs.
What Are Some Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Chicago?
There are factors other than a negligent bus driver that can contribute to Chicago bus accidents, including:
Bus driver negligence: driver errors like speeding, driver fatigue, distracted driving, and failure to obey traffic laws. A common and dangerous form of driver negligence is cell phone use.
Vehicle malfunctions: poor maintenance or faulty parts can result in an accident.
Road conditions: weather, construction, and other road hazards can cause an accident.
Negligent drivers in other vehicles: reckless actions by other motorists can lead to serious accidents.
How Common Are Bus Accidents?
Transit and school bus accidents that injure passengers are relatively rare compared to car accidents; buses have a slightly better safety record than passenger vehicles. Despite their rarity, CTA bus accidents often attract media attention, leading to a perception that they are more common than they are.
What Are the Economic and Non-Economic Damages That Can Result from a Bus Crash?
Injured bus accident victims can suffer serious and catastrophic injuries bus accident injuries such as:
Physical injuries—broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord injuries (SCIs), and more
Emotional distress, mental trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Medical expenses for treatment, rehabilitation, and permanent disability support.
Lost wages from time off work to recover
Property damage to personal belongings or vehicles involved in the accident
What Is My Case Worth?
Your bus accident case’s value depends on several key factors, including the severity of your injuries.
What to Do After a Bus Accident
When a private or CTA bus accident occurs, there are steps bus passengers can take:
Seek medical attention for severe injuries.
Document the accident scene. Report it to the police and get a report number. Take photos and videos if possible.
Gather evidence quickly after a bus accident—critical evidence can disappear quickly. Collect statements and contact information from witnesses.
Keep records of everything about the accident, including medical bills, correspondence, and time off work.
Consult a lawyer before giving detailed statements to insurance representatives is crucial to protect your rights.
How Can a Chicago Bus Accident Attorney Help Me?
Whether your accident was caused by governmental, private company’s employees, or other parties, our bus accident lawyers can manage all aspects of the legal process to win justice for clients who suffered serious injuries.
We Investigate Your Case
An experienced attorney can investigate the scene and gather evidence to support your bus accident claim, including obtaining video footage and police reports, and collecting eyewitness accounts.
We Establish Liability
We work to establish liability against the bus company or other responsible parties. We may work with expert witnesses to strengthen your case.
We Fight for Maximum Compensation
We will negotiate with insurance companies to secure fair compensation for your insurance claim. If a fair settlement is not possible, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation for you in court.
How Long Do I Have to File a Civil Claim?
Under the Illinois Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/8-101), you must officially file a bus accident lawsuit against the CTA or other local public entity within one year from the date of the injury in order not to lose the right to seek compensation. The time limit for legal claims for a private bus accident must be filed in two years (735 ILCS 5/13-202).
Our Experienced Bus Accident Attorneys Are Ready to Help You
Bus accident claims are often more complex than other personal injury cases; you need a law firm with in-depth knowledge of state and federal regulations.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a bus collision in Chicago, call us. Our experienced attorneys have a proven track record of handling intricate Chicago bus accident cases involving multiple parties. We are here to help you navigate your bus accident claim and recover compensation.
Free Consultation
Contact us for a free consultation with an experienced bus accident lawyer. We can evaluate your personal injury claim, explain your legal options, and answer your questions. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers, like most Chicago personal injury lawyers provide legal services on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a bus accident, contact a Chicago bus accident lawyer from The Kryder Law Group, LLC.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$500,000
$500,000 Policy limit settlement for a 48-year-old woman injured in a Cook County head-on collision after another driver made an unsafe left turn into traffic.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$250,000
Recovered for an individual who suffered a severe knee injury after a slip and fall on a wet floor at a Will County retail store.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Latisha S.
Great service. They helped me get my money, and everyone was very pleasant even though the health insurance took a while. Everything was on point on Kryder’s side.
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