Nearly 1,500 school bus accidents occurred in Illinois in 2011 and of those collisions, 276 caused injuries to at least one person involved. Many bus accidents cause multiple injuries and those who are harmed tend to be young, school-aged children. In addition, the drivers of buses, adult passengers on board, or even those in another vehicle involved in the collision may be injured and may be in need of medical assistance.
Those who are injured in school bus crashes are victims under the laws of Illinois and are protected with certain rights, including the right to seek financial compensation for their suffering. From medical bills to surgical expenses, lost wages to pain and suffering, the damages incurred in a bus accident can be substantial and may accrue over days or years. The losses may vary from accident to accident but the rights are usually the same: victims who are hurt can recover for their losses against the individuals or entities responsible for the crash. Consulting with a personal injury attorney in Chicago can help these victims understand whether they have valid claims and if so, who may be responsible in a court of law for their damages.
Some Park Ridge students were shocked on Friday when the bus on which they were riding was involved in a serious accident. Local officials have reported that the school bus was traveling on Des Plaines Avenue shortly before 8:00 a.m. when an SUV on Hamlin Avenue struck the bus near an intersection. The collision was serious enough to tip the bus onto its side and making it block the road to oncoming traffic.
Four students and a driver were on board the school bus and all were taken to area hospitals for evaluation of injuries though no one appeared to be seriously hurt. The driver of the SUV, a 17-year-old, was ticketed as part of this incident but the driver was not injured, nor were three passengers inside the SUV.
Claims stemming from school bus accidents in the Chicago area are complex and often have multiple parties involved. Victims may need to seek and obtain medical help but may not have the ability to do so; even those who can get help should not be forced to bear the financial cost of that treatment, leading to the potential for a civil claim for damages.
These claims are authorized by law but must be brought within a time frame specified by state laws and also in accordance to all rules and regulations of the court. The personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. have experience handling claims on behalf of school bus victims and their family members and we understand how to navigate these issues to obtain the best possible result in every case.
If you have been involved in an accident with a bus or while on a school bus, you may be entitled to help and we want to be the ones to provide you with that assistance. 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 case consultation without obligation. When you call, our legal team with discuss the specifics of your accident as well as what options may exist for your relief and everything discussed will always be kept confidential.
If you need help or if you have questions, call Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us fight for you.
Prior Blog Entry:
Safety Tips for National Bike Month, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published May 7, 2015.
Resource:
School bus rolls over in Park Ridge collision, by Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, published May 8, 2015.