Articles Posted in Bus Accident

Every 36 hours in Chicago a crash occurs that involves a CTA bus. After reviewing crash data and injury reports in September 2015 a local news team discovered this frightening statistic. Given the fact that there 1,888 CTA buses that operate 130 routes across 1,301 miles, and the typical bus will make around 19,000 stops daily, it is not too surprising to find buses have high crash statistics.

The CTA is the second largest transportation system in the country, with over 1.6 million rides taken on an average weekday, so it is no surprise that a majority of Illinois residents depend on the CTA to get around, especially in the Chicago area. Thus it is important for all Chicagoans, even those who don’t frequent public transportation, to know their rights if an accident were to occur.

Given the large size of buses and the numerous people who are often riding inside, many of whom are standing, when collisions occur numerous and severe injuries can result. The driver and bus passengers as well as those outside the bus can sustain injuries during a bus collision.

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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.

Megabus is one of many busing services to cover a wide portion of the United States as well as some areas of Canada. With numerous lines running through Chicago and the surrounding cities, it can be an efficient and easy means of transit for those wishing to travel. In fact, Chicago serves as a Megabus hub which allows riders to travel from Chicago to the other Midwestern cities serviced by Megabus without transferring. Those who wish to travel outside of the Midwest can do so by taking a bus from Chicago to another hub and transferring at that location.

The daily operations of Megabus and its associated entities are governed by strict federal and state laws, rules, and regulations designed to make the vehicles as safe as possible. However, numerous bus accidents have occurred in recent years that have cast doubt on whether Megabus follows all necessary steps while it conducts business in the greater Chicago area. Several lawsuits stemming from Megabus collisions have been filed and have alleged failures including negligent hiring of drivers, improper training of employees, failing to undertake needed maintenance of vehicles, improperly performing repairs upon vehicles, disobeying traffic laws, and otherwise endangering passengers and others.

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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.
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Today marks the first official day of spring and though Chicago has experienced some mild temperatures in recent weeks, today will be a reminder to many that winter is coming to a close and that sunny weather, baseball games, and kids home from school are just around the corner. In the meantime, though, springtime means that summer activities remain at bay as residents of Chicago go about their daily routines. For thousands across the city and even more in the state of Illinois, the daily routine includes making sure their children catch a bus on the way to school.

Depending on where you live, your children might be picked up by a school bus and taken to their schools to learn. Countess parents utilize this service with confidence, believing that the bus driver is trained and that the driver will always place the safety of children first when behind the wheel. Many times, this happens and children arrive at school after an uneventful trip, but unfortunately, that is not always the case. Every year, school bus accidents occur in Chicago and in Illinois and some of them leave children and adults injured or even killed. When this happens, an entire family can be affected and can suffer due to the losses incurred in the crash, including the medical bills that may be necessary to help the children obtain the medical help they need. If your child or someone you love has been hurt in a school bus collision, make sure you understand whether you have a valid claim for your losses, and if so, what steps you must take to guarantee that your rights are protected. A good place to begin may be speaking with personal injury lawyer in Chicago to learn about your options and to help you secure your rights.

In an unfortunate incident, police in Kendall County have confirmed that a school bus carrying preschool children was involved in a collision on Thursday and that the accident sent three kids to the hospital for needed medical treatment. Little has been confirmed at this time about the crash but it has been stated that the school bus left the road’s surface near River Road and Blackhawk Spring Road in the afternoon hours and that the bus continued until it struck several trees which brought the vehicle to a stop. Three children ages three to five were on the bus as were two adults and all three children sustained some degree of injury in the accident.

In addition to the injured students, one adult on board was hurt but it is not clear whether that adult was the driver of the bus. An investigation is being conducted into this crash and officials are trying to determine what caused the bus to strike the trees; the outcome of that review may determine whether any citations are issued to the driver or to anyone else as a result of this incident.
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In many instances, bus accidents may be more complex and legally intricate than collisions between two private vehicles and may have a higher probability for injuries occurring. The complexities can stem from the sheer number of individuals involved as well as the insurance companies that may be responsible for any losses and may also include the fact that buses are a regulated form of transit in the greater Chicago area. Injuries are more likely as the number of people involved in an accident increases; therefore, if there are passengers on board a bus and the total number of occupants is equal to or greater than what would typically be found in a passenger car, injuries to one or more of those individuals may be likely when an impact happens.

In most cases, bus accident victims in Chicago may have little to no warning that a collision is imminent. Unlike drivers, they may not be watching traffic or may not anticipate hazards that can emerge in a roadway. However, they are just as likely or perhaps more likely to be hurt in a crash and they may wonder where that puts them from a legal perspective. In Illinois, victims of these bus collisions are entitled to certain rights and possible avenues of relief that may enable injury victims to obtain the help they need. Whether your losses take the form of medical bills, pain and suffering, or lost wages, you could be entitled to a financial settlement that will provide you with the compensation you need to move forward and beyond the impact and to help you recover as you deserve. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer can help you understand the possible claims you may have and whether your case entitles you to payment if you have been injured in a bus accident.

At least four vehicles, including a Pace bus, collided in Geneva on Monday evening and led to several injuries, according to local police. The incident happened near Fabyan Parkway and Crissey Avenue around 5:30 p.m. and is still being review for additional facts. At this time, authorities have confirmed that four vehicles collided and that one of the vehicles, a Pace bus, was pushed off the road by the accident and down into a wooded area. Reportedly the vehicle had to be removed from the scene by a tow truck and it may have been heavily damaged.

Police have not released a suspected cause of the collision at this time and have not stated whether any of the drivers involved may have erred or acted in a negligent manner in the moments that proceeded the initial impact. However, they have confirmed that all facts are being reviewed and that, if appropriate, charges may be issued pending the outcome of their investigation.
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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.
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How many buses do you see on your average day in Chicago? If you are like most, buses are so common that you may not fully realize how many you come across as you travel to or from work. In addition to the fleet of CTA buses, tour buses, double-decker buses, Greyhound buses, charter buses, and others all take to the streets of Chicago and elsewhere across Illinois. Buses provide an efficient and cost-effective means of transit for millions of people every year in the state and can help ease traffic congestion in heavily-populated areas, like Chicago. Additionally, the construction of bus lanes is often significantly cheaper than the investment needed for alternative transit infrastructure like railways for elevated trains. When all things are considered, it is easy to realize that buses in Chicago are beneficial to many.

You may even ride on a bus from time to time if you call Chicago home. If so, you may board the bus, pay your fare, and take a seat with little thought. Regular riders might take these actions in an automatic manner as they are used to the procedures that accompany a bus ride. But once a rider is seated, few pay attention to the habit and actions of the driver behind the wheel, even though each patron’s safety depends on that bus driver.

While buses are often safe, they are still involved in collisions every year, and many of those crashes cause injuries to the bus drivers, passengers on board, others in nearby vehicles, or even pedestrians. Often, these victims are left with medical expenses and other financial damages that can be complex and may hinder the victim’s ability to recover. Illinois law is designed to hold an at-fault driver or another responsible party liable for these financial damages and therefore victims may be entitled to seek relief through the use of a civil claim, a type of action that belongs to the victim and is separate from any traffic charges brought by local authorities. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago who has experience representing bus accident victims may help you understand your options if a collision has affected your life.

On Monday afternoon, a CTA bus near Central Avenue and Chicago Avenue was traveling northbound when a vehicle in the area approached the bus and rear-ended it, injuring at least two people. The collision occurred around 1:30 p.m. and involved a Number 85 bus on Central Avenue, triggering a response at the scene by local police. At least one victim was transported to an area hospital for additional treatment of undisclosed injuries and at least one other person was treated at the scene.

Officials are still reviewing all relevant facts and trying to determine why the second vehicle rear-ended the CTA bus.
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