The City of Chicago has a heavily used system of public transportation crisscrossing its streets and taking people from one place to another every day. Among the most common forms of this public transit are CTA buses. The Chicago Transit Authority reported that, in February 2015 alone, there were 867,058 bus boardings on CTA buses based upon statistics gathered from fareboxes at the front of every bus.
CTA buses are a useful means of transit because the numerous lines travel along popular routes as well as to residential areas which means that people who live or work far from centralized locations can still find a way to get around without being forced to drive themselves. Without other viable means of transit, many people who ride the CTA daily do not think twice about their safety, trusting that the drivers behind the wheels of those buses will follow all applicable laws and will operate with caution.
Unfortunately, these vehicles regularly are involved in bus accidents in Chicago and many passengers and others are injured as a result. In the worst cases, victims may be killed in these collisions and nothing can be done to right that wrong.
Tragically, police in Chicago have confirmed that one person was killed in a CTA bus accident yesterday and that at least eight others were injured. Reports indicate that the bus involved was traveling near Michigan Avenue and Lake Street just before 6:00 p.m. when the driver stopped at the intersection, then allegedly proceeded on a red light, colliding with two pedestrians and four cars before driving on a curb and then onto an adjacent sidewalk.
One of the pedestrians, a 51-year-old woman, was trapped underneath the bus when it came to a stop on the sidewalk and had to be removed. She was pronounced dead at an area hospital due to the injuries she sustained in the collision.
In addition to the woman who lost her life, another pedestrian was injured and at least six others were hurt between the cars that were struck and the bus itself. The driver of the bus additionally was injured and all eight of those victims are expected to survive.
It is unclear at this time what led to the driver’s actions but police have cited that individual for disregarding a red light and for failing to use due care while operating a vehicle.
CTA bus accidents are often very serious and can leave victims wondering if they are entitled to help, and, if so, whether anyone will be on their side. The personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. are here to let you know that you are not alone and that we will be standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you.
If you have been injured or if your loved one was killed in a Chicago bus accident, call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and let us help you seek the relief you deserve. We offer a free case consultation to those who call us where we will discuss whether you can make a claim for your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering. There is no obligation on your part for speaking with us and if we represent you in your case, we will never charge you a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf.
When the unthinkable happens, call Abels & Annes, P.C. and let us fight for the relief that you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Fatal Rollover Crash in Lakemoor, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published June 1, 2015.
Resource:
CTA driver in fatal Michgan Ave. crash cited for failing to stop at light, by Quinn Ford, Paulina Firozi, and Tony Briscoe, Chicago Tribune, published June 3, 2015.