Chicago residents and those who work in the city are used to seeing buses driving on the roads every day. Even areas without other large vehicles, like Lake Shore Drive, may have buses taking people to and from work or around town. Buses provide a needed service in Chicago as they enable people to take cost-effective transit while reducing the congestion caused by personal cars. Further, buses boost sectors of the local economy and enable tourists to better navigate the town.
In most cases, buses are safe and the passengers on board ride without issue. But for an unfortunate number of riders, bus accidents occur and may leave them injured or in need of medical help. Common bus-related damages include broken bones, head and neck injuries, lacerations, bruises, and internal injuries. In addition to the medical bills they are forced to incur, victims might miss time from work and therefore be unable to earn income they otherwise would have obtained. This can harm an entire family who depends on that support and can cause damages to last for months or years after a crash takes place.
While bus accident victims may be unable to prevent a crash, they can obtain the relief they need to put them back into their pre-injury state. Through the use of a civil claim for damages, victims and their families may be entitled to payment for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, among any other damages that occur. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago may help you understand your legal options and your rights if you have been involved in a crash or if your loved one was injured or killed.
At approximately 10:00 p.m. last night, a police officer near the 4700 block of South Wolcott Avenue in Chicago reportedly noticed a vehicle run a stop sign. When the officer attempted to stop the van, the driver continued operating the vehicle away from the officer, prompting a chase in the area. The fleeing driver approached South Talman Avenue and reportedly crashed into a CTA bus and then five parked cars, leading to the end of the chase and the apprehension of the driver.
The minivan allegedly was stolen and the driver, described as a 36-year-old man, was arrested and is facing charges related to the incident. He was not harmed in the collision but the driver of the CTA bus was hurt and needed help. The CTA driver was taken to an area hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries where the driver’s condition are not clear. It is not believed that anyone else, including any owners of the five parked cars, were hurt in the incident.
Bus passengers and bus drivers can be hurt in a traffic collision in Chicago or elsewhere across the state just like drivers of private cars. But the laws that apply to bus crashes can be complicated and can make it more difficult for a victim to obtain the relief he or she deserves.
The personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. have experience representing bus victims and if you have been hurt, we want to help you as well. We offer a free case consultation without any obligation to those who call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we provide it 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If your life has been altered by a collision in the Chicago area, you do not have to suffer alone. Call Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us help you seek the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Chicago Car Crash Leaves 2 People Dead, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published December 9, 2014.
Resource:
Man crashes into CTA bus, 5 cars during police chase, by Quinn Ford, Chicago Tribune, published December 10, 2014.