Chicago Bus Accident Lawyer
Heavy city traffic, distracted driving, and poor road conditions increase the risk of motor vehicle crashes in Chicago, including bus accidents. If you or a loved one suffered injuries after a bus accident in Chicago, our skilled bus accident lawyers can help you pursue justice and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Content Written by: Samuel Meirowitz
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished NYC personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished NYC personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Quick Links
- What Will an Experienced Meirowitz & Wasserberg Chicago Bus Accident Lawyer Do for You?
- What Causes Bus Accidents in Chicago, IL?
- Common Bus Accident Injuries
- What To Do After a Bus Accident in Chicago, IL
- How Long Do I Have To File a Bus Accident Lawsuit in Chicago?
- Chicago Bus Company Regulations and Compliance
- Who Is at Fault in a Chicago Bus Accident?
- How Is Liability Determined in a Chicago Bus Accident Case?
- What Damages Are Available to Chicago Bus Accident Victims?
- Bus Accident Statistics in Chicago, Illinois
- Contact an Experienced Meirowitz & Wasserberg Chicago Bus Accident Attorney Today
- Frequently Asked Questions Our Chicago Bus Accident Lawyers Get
At Meirowitz & Wasserberg, our Chicago bus accident attorneys are dedicated to helping injury victims seek the maximum compensation for their damages. With decades of combined experience handling personal injury lawsuits and a deep knowledge of the Illinois legal system, we are prepared to fight back against powerful defendants and unscrupulous insurance companies.
Schedule a free consultation with our Chicago bus accident lawyers to see how we can assist with your case. We will make sure you know your rights and fight for the full compensation you are entitled to by law.
What Will an Experienced Meirowitz & Wasserberg Chicago Bus Accident Lawyer Do for You?
Bus accidents can lead to expensive medical bills, lost time at work, emotional struggles, and other hardships that impact your day-to-day well-being. Hiring our trusted Illinois bus accident lawyers means recruiting a seasoned professional to help you navigate the legal complexities of your case, claim financial compensation for your losses, and defend your legal rights.
Our team of nationally recognized personal injury attorneys in Chicago includes Nathaniel Wallace and Joe Trunk. They will ensure that you receive outstanding legal representation and compassionate support throughout the life of your bus accident lawsuit.
We are confident in our ability to deliver the highest quality representation possible, but you don’t have to take our word for it—our client testimonials speak for themselves. Our comprehensive services in bus accident claims include:
- A detailed investigation of the bus accident
- Gathering crucial evidence to support your case
- Determining liability and proving negligence
- Dealing with insurance companies on your behalf
- Negotiating a favorable settlement that fully compensates for your injuries and losses
- Experienced trial representation if your case needs to go to court
If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, you need an experienced bus injury lawyer who knows how to approach these cases strategically. With over $360 million secured in settlements and verdicts for our clients, you can trust that our firm has the skills and resources needed to handle your bus accident case.
What Causes Bus Accidents in Chicago, IL?
Though buses are typically a safe mode of transportation, multiple factors can lead to bus crashes in Chicago. Common causes of bus accidents include:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving, including texting
- Inadequate bus driver training
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failure to follow traffic laws
- Poor bus maintenance
- Poor weather or road conditions
According to the City of Chicago, about 70 percent of traffic deaths involve speeding and larger vehicles and nearly 90 percent of fatalities are connected to reckless driving. When another party’s negligence leads to bus accident injuries, victims may be eligible to claim compensation for their injuries and losses.
Common Bus Accident Injuries
Whether you are a passenger in the bus or another vehicle involved in the collision, bus accidents can lead to serious injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Bruises and sprains
- Internal organ damage
- Burn injuries
In some cases, bus accidents even lead to death. Though no amount of money can make up for the loss of a loved one, the law does carve out an avenue for surviving family members to secure a measure of justice and accountability. If you lost a family member in a bus accident, our wrongful death lawyers are here to help.
What To Do After a Bus Accident in Chicago, IL
If you’re hurt in a Chicago bus accident, here are steps you can take to get immediate help and put yourself in the best position to take legal action.
- Prioritize your safety – If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic and other road hazards.
- Check for injuries – Quickly assess yourself and others for injuries.
- Request immediate medical assistance – Call 911 for emergency services and report the bus crash to the Chicago authorities.
- Collect evidence – If you can, try to take pictures and videos of the crash scene. Also, gather witness contact information.
- Follow through with medical treatment – Seek medical care and follow all professional advice and treatments.
- Consult a bus accident lawyer in Chicago – Work with our experienced bus crash attorneys to help maximize your recovery.
How Long Do I Have To File a Bus Accident Lawsuit in Chicago?
For most personal injury claims in Chicago, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury. However, bus accident claims often have more restrictive deadlines. For example, you have only one year to file a lawsuit against government agencies, such as the Chicago Transit Authority.
Failure to comply with the governing deadline normally results in your case being dismissed in court. Consult with our skilled bus accident lawyers as soon as possible after a bus crash to see which deadline applies to your case and how we can move forward with your claim.
Chicago Bus Company Regulations and Compliance
There are numerous federal and state bus regulations that may affect your case. For example, motor carriers transporting passengers must comply with regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, including:
- Maintaining an accident register for three years after an accident occurs
- Hiring qualified drivers who are licensed to drive a commercial motor vehicle
- Maintaining an annual review of driving records, violations, and reviews
- Keeping track of drivers’ medical examiner’s certificates
- Waiting to board a bus
- Boarding a bus
- Inside and riding a bus
- Exiting a bus
Illinois has additional regulations for school bus companies operating within the state, such as:
- All school buses must painted a “glossy yellow color”
- Every school bus must display its maximum number of passengers
- Every school bus must be equipped with a stop sign
If a bus company fails to follow these rules and regulations, it may be found liable for damages after an accident.
Who Is at Fault in a Chicago Bus Accident?
In a bus accident lawsuit, liability can fall on various parties depending on the circumstances of the accident. Potentially liable parties may include:
- Bus driver – If the accident was caused by the negligence or recklessness of the bus driver, they may be held liable.
- Bus company – The company that owns or operates the bus may be liable for the accident, particularly if they failed to properly maintain the bus, provide adequate training to the driver, or enforce safety protocols.
- Other drivers – If another driver’s negligence contributed to the accident, they may be held liable in addition to the bus driver or company.
- Government entity – If poor road conditions, inadequate signage, or poor bus maintenance contributed to the accident, the government entity responsible may be held liable. This is particularly relevant when the bus is a public transport vehicle.
- Manufacturer or maintenance provider – If a defect in the bus or its components contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be held liable.
- Third-party service providers – If a third-party service provider, such as a maintenance contractor, contributed to the accident, they may also be held liable.
How Is Liability Determined in a Chicago Bus Accident Case?
Proving liability in a bus accident lawsuit requires gathering evidence to demonstrate that one or more parties caused or contributed to the accident. Immediately after the bus crash, it’s crucial to gather as much evidence as possible. Important evidence in a bus accident lawsuit may include:
- Employment Records – Obtain records related to the bus driver’s employment, including their driving history, training records, and any past incidents of negligence or misconduct.
- Bus Maintenance Records – Review maintenance records for the bus to determine if there were any mechanical issues or failures that could have contributed to the accident.
- Expert Analysis – Employ experts, such as accident reconstruction specialists or engineers, to analyze the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and any other relevant factors to determine the cause of the accident and who may be liable.
- Driver Statements – Obtain statements from the bus driver and any other drivers or passengers involved in the accident. These statements can help establish what happened leading up to the accident.
- Compliance with Regulations – Determine whether the bus company and driver were in compliance with all relevant regulations and safety standards, such as hours of service regulations, maintenance requirements, and licensing requirements.
- Eyewitness Testimony – Witness testimony can be crucial in establishing the sequence of events leading up to the accident and determining who was at fault.
- Medical Records – Obtain medical records for anyone injured in the accident to document the extent of their injuries and any medical treatment they received.
Proving liability in a bus accident lawsuit can be complex. It often requires obtaining testimony from subject-matter experts like medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists. Our bus accident lawyers can help you navigate the legal process and build a strong case.
What Damages Are Available to Chicago Bus Accident Victims?
People injured in a bus crash may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are the financial losses that result from the crash. Non-economic damages represent the intangible ways accident victims suffer, including physical and emotional struggles. Chicago bus accident victims may claim compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Cost of future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
Our experienced Chicago bus accident attorneys can advise you on the damages available in your case and provide high-quality representation that gives you the best chance at receiving the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Bus Accident Statistics in Chicago, Illinois
Recent data from the Illinois Department of Transportation showed that accidents involving buses, trucks, and recreational vehicles accounted for 5 percent of all traffic crashes in the state. Those numbers include 576 bus accidents that resulted in injuries and 8 that had fatal outcomes. The following headlines are just a few examples of recent bus crashes in Chicago:
Contact an Experienced Meirowitz & Wasserberg Chicago Bus Accident Attorney Today
When you need a skilled bus accident lawyer in Chicago, Meirowitz & Wasserberg is standing by to help. We have a deep understanding of the federal, state, and local regulations that can affect your case, and our award-winning attorneys are dedicated to helping bus crash victims demand the full compensation they are entitled to by law. If you were injured in a bus accident in Chicago, fill out our online contact form or call us at (312) 667-3722 to schedule a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions Our Chicago Bus Accident Lawyers Get
How Much Does a Bus Accident Lawyer Cost in Chicago?
Our Chicago bus accident attorneys work on contingency, which means we only get paid if we win your case. There are no upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs to work with our skilled legal team.
How Much Is My Bus Accident Case Worth?
How much your claim is worth will depend on the details of your case, especially the extent and severity of your injuries. Victims with catastrophic injuries typically have more significant damages than those with minor injuries. Some cases are worth thousands of dollars, and others are worth millions. Our legal team can give you a good idea of how much your claim may be worth after evaluating the facts of your case during your free consultation.
How Long Does It Take To Settle a Bus Accident Case?
The investigation, discovery, and negotiation phases in bus accident claims vary widely. Depending on the complexity of your case, it can take a few weeks, months, or longer to settle. Our skilled attorneys understand you need financial support now and will do everything we can to secure a favorable settlement as soon as possible.
It is also important to remember that accepting an early settlement is not always in your best interest, as doing so can leave significant compensation on the table. Whether your case is resolved in or out of court, you can count on us to stand by your side every step of the way. We are here to provide compassionate support to you and your family.
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