Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
Several different busing lines operate within the city limits of Chicago and in the surrounding suburbs. Some are private companies that give tours or provide limited transportation from one area to another. Others may be owned or operated by a city, municipality, or other form of government and may provide public transportation or even long-haul trips.
Regardless of who is operating a bus, local and federal laws apply to require the bus operators to drive in a safe and reasonable manner so as to protect all customers and also other drivers on the roads. Failure to do so may lead to a situation where a bus accident can occur, potentially leading to dozens of injuries or even possibly deaths. The victims of these crashes may not know their legal rights or whether they are entitled to relief for their suffering, but speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago may help you sort our your legal options if you have been involved in a collision.
Bus accidents can be particularly challenging because they may involve fault on the part of the bus company or the fault may belong to another driver involved. In some cases, both the bus company and another driver may be properly to blame. The facts and circumstances of each collision vary so it is important to speak to a skilled investigator to determine the relief that may be present after a specific crash.
Police in Chicago were called to the scene of a multi-vehicle collision on Wednesday that involved a CTA bus. According to witnesses, a northbound CTA bus was stopped at a bus stop near the intersection of Sheridan Road and Balmoral Avenue shortly after 11:00 a.m. A red Ford in the area reportedly attempted to go around the CTA bus but instead crashed into several parked cars. At least one witnesses said the Ford was speeding and that it ran a red light.
Police have reported that a man was loading groceries into a parked car when the Ford approached, striking the man as he stood and pinning him against his vehicle. The force of the impact was so heavy that reportedly the parked vehicle collided into a parked vehicle in front of it and then two more vehicles were hit in the crash. Police believe the Ford also struck the side of the CTA bus.
The man loading groceries into his car was severely injured and died as a result of Wednesday’s bus accident. The driver of the Ford was allegedly arrested in connection with the incident and charges against the driver are pending, though the nature of the charges is not clear at this time.
If you have been involved in a bus accident in Chicago, whether you were a passenger on the bus or you were inside another vehicle involved in a crash, you may be entitled to seek legal relief for your damages through the use of a civil claim. The laws in Illinois may enable you to recover compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages caused by the collision as well as any other damages you incurred.
The lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. have helped clients successfully recover for their damages following bus accidents and we want to help you as well. We have a licensed lawyer standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to take your call toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and to provide you with a free, no obligation telephone consultation. Everything discussed will be kept confidential.
If you have been injured in a bus crash, do not continue to suffer due to the negligence of another. Call Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us help you seek the recovery you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Settle Policy-Limits Case, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published July 31, 2014.
Resource:
One Dead, Three Hurt In Bus Crash In Edgewater, CBS Chicago, published July 30, 2014.