Who Pays If I Am Injured on Public Transportation?

 Posted on March 25, 2025 in Car Accidents

Public buses in Chicagoland are not often involved in accidents, although they do happen. A collision on March 20, 2025, involved not only one but two public buses. A No. 28 Stony Island bus operated by the Chicago Transit Authority was involved in an initial minor accident when a westbound PACE bus hit a stopped CTA bus.

You might think that the appropriate transit authority is always ultimately responsible for injuries that happen to riders. While that is sometimes true, others could also be responsible. Each bus accident requires an investigation to see why it happened, who caused it, and who should pay for your damages. One of our skilled Northbrook, IL personal injury lawyers can help you file a claim against all responsible parties.

Who Could Be Responsible for CTA and PACE Bus Crashes?

In many cases, the potentially liable parties are linked to the particular transit authority. Public transportation buses like these are expected to be well-maintained and operated by qualified, properly trained drivers. If unsafe driving causes a collision, the transit authority could share liability with the driver. Mechanical failures that contribute to causing accidents, like faulty brakes, might point to the bus’s owner or maintenance staff.

Sometimes, even the best bus driver cannot avoid an accident. Another car can hit a bus through no fault of the bus driver’s. That motorist could be responsible for paying for your damages, as an injured bus passenger.

We cannot tell you who should pay your claim until we investigate the incident. Once we know who was at fault, we will fight to see you collect the highest possible amount.

Are All Bus Injuries Caused by Crashes?

A bus does not have to be involved in a collision for riders to be injured. A sudden stop or another passenger accidentally bumping into you might cause you to fall. Sensors could fail, causing the doors to close on you. You could be injured when another passenger assaults you.

However your bus-related injury happened, your lawyer’s investigation can tell you who is liable and how much your case is worth.

How Much Could I Get If I Was Injured on a PACE or CTA Bus?

All injured victims’ damages are different. In cases like these, damages can mean either your specific losses or the money you might receive because of those losses. Economic damages cover financial losses like property damage, medical bills, and lost wages. Non-economic damages are not tied to specific dollar amounts, but they could give you money for pain and suffering and other intangible losses.

If you try to handle your claim alone, you probably will not get nearly as much money as you should. Claims against a government agency are complicated. Insurance companies usually try to take advantage of claimants by denying claims or making lowball settlement offers. Your lawyer will fight to maximize your compensation.

Call Our Dedicated Glenview, IL CTA and PACE Bus Accident Lawyer

When you choose Gruzmark Law, Ltd., one of our experienced Cook County, IL personal injury attorneys will work hard to help you hold the at-fault party accountable after a bus injury. Call us at 847-729-7660 or send a confidential message online to arrange for your free case review.