Elgin Bus Accident Lawyer

Whether commercially or publicly operated, buses are generally a dependable and safe means of transportation for thousands of people every day. However, the people who operate these common carriers are humans with flaws, and sometimes those flaws lead to accidents that cause serious injuries to multiple passengers and passers-by at once.

If negligent conduct by a bus driver or their employer led to you sustaining avoidable harm, schedule a conversation with an Elgin bus accident lawyer. With a qualified personal injury attorney’s guidance at The Kryder Law Group, you might be able to hold the people responsible for your injuries financially liable for all ensuing consequences, including both economic and non-economic forms of harm.

How Negligence Could Lead to Bus-Related Injuries

Just like any other motor vehicle operator, bus drivers are expected to follow all applicable rules of the road. They also must pay attention to road conditions and the other people around them so they can act as safely and reasonably as possible. People who operate common carriers have a more extensive duty of care that requires them to ensure their passengers do not suffer preventable injuries while waiting for a ride, boarding or disembarking, and while actively riding.

This means it may be possible to recover financially after various kinds of injuries caused by a bus driver’s negligence, not just those stemming from a collision with another vehicle or a stationary object. For example, if a driver accelerates too quickly away from a stop and causes passengers who have not taken their seats yet to fall, the driver could be liable for any ensuing injuries.

Legal counsel could then work diligently on an injured individual’s behalf to recover for the full value of:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Personal property damage
• Physical pain
• Long-term effects of disability or disfigurement

An Elgin bus crash attorney could examine a particular set of circumstances and offer clarification about whether drafting a settlement demand or filing a lawsuit would be prudent.

Special Rules for Claims Against Government Entities

State law sets out different rules for personal injury lawsuits after crashes involving public transportation compared to those that apply to wrecks involving commercially operated vehicles. Most importantly, the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act generally forbids litigation altogether against local or municipal entities except in situations involving “willful and wanton” misconduct. This type of misconduct would be along the lines of knowingly employing a driver with a history of DUI convictions.

If litigation is possible after a public bus crash, the deadlines for filing suit are shorter as well. As a public transit wreck attorney in Elgin could explain, the deadline for providing formal written notice of intention to file suit against any government entity in Illinois is one year after the incident in question. On the other hand, lawsuits against private individuals or companies are generally subject to a two-year statutory filing deadline under 735 Illinois Compiled Statutes §5/13-202.

Contact an Elgin Bus Accident Attorney for Assistance

Civil claims based on common carrier wreck injuries can be uniquely complicated to pursue and even more difficult to achieve successful results. Without guidance from a legal professional who has worked with people like you on similar claims before, you may have slim chances of getting any compensation at all, let alone the amount you need for all your compensable losses.

Working with an Elgin bus accident lawyer could be essential to preserving your rights after a serious incident on a commercial or public transportation. Call The Kryder Law Group today for a consultation.