What Can I Do If I Am Injured in a Bus Crash?

 Posted on October 05, 2023 in Personal Injury

We know that a bus accident can turn your life upside down, making it difficult to move forward. This summer the Greyhound bus accident on Interstate 70 near St. Louis left three of the 22 bus passengers dead and 14 others injured. A recent investigation found that a Chicago city bus is involved in a crash every 36 hours on average. You need an Illinois attorney experienced in handling transportation accidents and mass transit injury cases.

Is It Possible to File a Claim Against a City Transportation System?  

Three major public transportation systems in the area include the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Pace, and Metra. They are government-run and therefore have some protection against accident claims.

The main limitation is that there is a strict time limit for making claims against these entities. You have only one year from the date of your injury to file a claim. In comparison, for typical car accidents, you usually have two years to file a claim.

What Can be Considered Negligence?

You need an experienced Illinois attorney to give you the best odds for compensation if you find yourself injured in a bus crash. While drivers are often held responsible for vehicle accidents, in mass transit accidents, there could be multiple negligent parties. These might include the transportation company or authority, another driver on the road, or even the company that made the vehicle.

Another important aspect of mass transit is the rigorous safety standards it must adhere to. Unlike regular car drivers who are required to exercise reasonable care by law, bus drivers and train operators have to maintain an even higher level of caution. This is because they are considered common carriers, and passengers depend entirely on them for their safety. Sometimes, even a simple slip-and-fall incident inside a vehicle or at a station could be the basis for an injury claim. 

When Would I be Able to Collect Compensation?

After a serious bus accident, you could face painful injuries, mounting hospital bills, days missed from work, and a lot of stress. Therefore, you may be eligible for compensation to help with these difficulties and more. In order to collect compensation for your injury, you must be able to demonstrate the driver acted in a way that caused the accident. There are many types of negligence, including:

• Driver fatigue
• Drug use
• Drunk driving
• Driver inattention
• Reckless driving 

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Cook County Bus Accident Injury Lawyer

After a serious mass transit accident, it is crucial to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. At Gruzmark Law, Ltd. we will take immediate steps to safeguard you and your family during this challenging period. You need to seek the legal representation of a Northbrook bus accident injury attorney with a proven history of success in handling mass transit accident cases. Call 847-729-7660 for a free consultation.