A bus that strikes a smaller vehicle, a cyclist, or a pedestrian may cause serious and life-threatening injuries. Passengers inside a bus may also be severely injured since buses typically do not have safety devices, such as seatbelts and airbags. If a bus is involved in a collision, passengers may be thrown against the windows or may be ejected from their seats and may strike doors, seats, and other passengers.
If you suffered harm in an accident involving a bus, either as a passenger, in another vehicle, or on the street, your injuries may have left you in debilitating pain. You may be unable to participate in activities you used to enjoy, perform basic tasks at home, and take care of your children.
The accident may have left you unable to work, either temporarily or permanently. You may have limited mobility for the rest of your life. You may be paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair or bed. You may need to have a nurse or an aide care for you in your home, or you may require around-the-clock care in a nursing home.
The pain and disability caused by the accident, the financial hardship, and the emotional suffering may be taking a toll on your entire family. The stress of not knowing how you will be able to cover your bills may be straining your marriage. Your children may not fully comprehend the situation, but they may understand that you are in pain and worried, and they may be feeling frightened as a result.
A Chicago bus accident lawyer may be able to pursue a financial settlement to cover your past and future medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC at 800-959-1444 to discuss your case with a member of our staff.
Who May Be Liable for the Accident
Buses are classified as common carriers, or entities that offer transportation services to the general public. A common carrier may be a public entity or a private company. Common carriers are held to a higher standard than other drivers.
Buses can be difficult to maneuver, especially on busy city streets and in bad weather. Drivers should therefore be well trained and extremely cautious. If the bus driver was speeding, talking or texting with a cellphone, driving while intoxicated, or acting in another negligent manner, that individual may be responsible for the accident.
The Bus Driver’s Employer and the Carrier
In that case, the driver’s employer may be held liable for the collision and for your injuries. The common carrier may also be held liable if it failed to properly maintain and repair the bus, failed to provide drivers with adequate training, or if it hired or continued to employ someone who was not a safe driver. An example of an unsafe driver is an individual with a history of speeding tickets or a DUI conviction.
The Bus and Tour Operators
If the collision involved a commercial vehicle, such as a tour bus, and the driver acted negligently, we may be able to file a lawsuit against the bus operator. If the tour company contracted with a bus company that had a history of safety violations, we may be able to seek compensation from the tour operator.
The Bus Company
If the accident occurred because of a design flaw or a manufacturing defect in the bus, the company that made the vehicle may be held liable. If a company that was contracted to perform maintenance and repairs failed to detect a problem or did not perform repairs correctly, that company may be held liable.
Another Motorist
The bus accident may have occurred because of the actions of another driver. For example, someone in a car may have cut off the bus or changed lanes without signaling. The bus may have struck the car, or the bus driver may have swerved to avoid hitting the car and may have instead hit another object, or the bus may have slid off the road. In those types of situations, the driver of the car may be found liable for the collision.
Call our firm today for a free case evaluation with a member of our team.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Chicago, call 800-921-7227
How We May Be Able to Help
The team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can investigate to figure out who was liable for the bus accident and advise you on how to seek justice. We may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the company that employs the bus driver, the vehicle’s manufacturer, another company, or the driver of another vehicle.
If the bus driver was liable, the nature of the entity the driver worked for will affect how we will be able to seek compensation. If the bus was owned and operated by a government body, such as a city government or a school district, we may be able to pursue a financial award from the government. Procedures to file a claim vary from state to state, and sometimes even from city to city. A Chicago bus accident lawyer who is familiar with local laws and procedures can explain the deadline and guide you through the process.
If we file a personal injury claim against the government entity that owned and operated the bus, the government may agree to a settlement or may reject your claim. If the claim is rejected, you may still be able to seek compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
If a private company, such as a tour company, a repair shop, or a vehicle manufacturer, is found liable, we may file a lawsuit against that business. If another driver’s actions led to the accident, we may sue that individual to seek compensation for your losses.
Chicago Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-921-7227
The Statute of Limitations in Illinois
Statutes of limitations restrict the amount of time victims of personal injuries have to pursue justice. The statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim against a government entity is usually shorter than the statute of limitations for a typical personal injury case. In Illinois, according to 745 ILCS 10/8-101, you have one year from the date of injury to file a lawsuit against a government entity, while the statute of limitations in personal injury cases in most cases is two years, under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.
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Let a Chicago Bus Accident Lawyer Handle Your Case
The team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC handles cases related to bus accidents. We can explain the relevant laws, discuss the statute of limitations that applies to your case, advise you on how to seek justice, and guide you through the process. Call our office today at 800-959-1444 so we can get started as soon as possible and adhere to the relevant statute of limitations.
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