CTA buses can be seen around Chicago on any day of the week and during any time of the year. According to the CTA, there are more than 1,800 buses in its fleet and providers almost one million rides on weekdays. There are so many people using the CTA buses that it may not be surprising to realize collisions, accidents, and other incidents involving the CTA happen every day – and many of them result in injuries to passengers on board.
Though harm can occur in almost any type of action, there are some instances that are more likely than others to leave people injured. Based on our experience as Chicago personal injury attorneys, the following are some examples of factors that can lead to harm:
- Improperly Trained Drivers – When the CTA employs a new bus driver, that driver is educated and formally trained in all aspects of the job. However, mistakes are sometimes made and some drivers are not given the education they need to operate a vehicle in a safe and efficient manner. When this lack of training happens, passengers on board the bus, pedestrians nearby, and others in nearby cars are the ones who will suffer. A bus driver who does not know the rules of the road, is unfamiliar with a route, or who does not understand how to operate all of the safety features of a bus is at a particularly high risk for causing injuries.
- Bus Accidents – Perhaps the most serious of the possible occurrences that involve CTA buses, bus accidents take place when the CTA vehicle collides either with another bus or any other vehicle or object. In some situations, a CTA bus may be involved in a crash without any other vehicles, particularly if that bus strikes a bus station, a building, or a light pole near the roadway. Collisions on a CTA bus are very dangerous to passengers who generally do not have seat belts available to them. Further, many passengers may be standing and can be thrown in the event of an impact.
- Pedestrian Accidents – Far too often, a CTA bus collides with a pedestrian who is walking in the Chicago area. Many of these incidents occur in the Loop or in other crowded portions of the city, and often bus drivers claim that they were distracted or otherwise did not see the pedestrian prior to the crash. It is the responsibility of a driver to operate safely and that includes respecting the rights of pedestrians on sidewalks, in crosswalks, and near a roadway.
- Malfunctioning Equipment – CTA buses log many more miles than a typical passenger car which means that routine inspections and maintenance are critically important. Failing to maintain the bus in proper working order makes a malfunction or failure more likely, which in turn increases the odds of a crash happening and injuries resulting.
- Tire Blowouts – Tires should be seen as part of a CTA bus that must be inspected regularly for wear, proper inflation, and overall condition. Tires can make a vital difference in the ability of a bus to slow or stop when a hazard presents itself and also can have a big impact when it comes to controlling the bus through winter weather. If a tire does blowout, it may be difficult for the driver to maintain control of the bus and there is a chance that the bus will crash due to the tire failure.
If a CTA bus accident happened and left you injured or claimed the life of someone you love, know that the laws of Illinois may protect you by offering you the right to seek payment for your damages. The personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to speak with you if you have questions about your rights or if you are looking for help. We offer a case consultation without cost or obligation to all victims who call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we will keep everything discussed during the consultation confidential.
If we represent you, we will fight for the best possible outcome in your case and we will never charge you a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf.
Prior Blog Entry:
Common Causes of Tire Blowout Accidents in Chicago, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published January 20, 2016.