Can I File an Injury Lawsuit After a Bus Accident?

 Posted on October 19,2021 in Bus Accident Injury

School buses, city buses, coach buses, and other types of buses transport millions of Americans across the U.S. Some people take a bus to school or work every day and never experience any problems. Unfortunately, other riders suffer serious injuries or even deaths. While rare, fatal and injury-causing bus accidents are not unheard of. Often, when someone is a victim of a bus accident, they face unique challenges recovering compensation for damages. Many buses are owned by government entities. This makes filing an injury claim against a bus driver or bus company particularly complicated.

Injuries Resulting from Bus Crashes

Bus riders assume that the vehicle is safe and that they will reach their destination without incident. However, bus accidents caused by negligent drivers, defective vehicles, poor vehicle maintenance, and other issues can lead to severe injuries. Bus accidents may involve:

• School buses
• Public transportation buses such as Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) buses
• Private bus companies such as Coach and Greyhound
• Shuttles
• Tour buses
• Private charter buses

Who Is Legally Responsible for a Bus Injury?

Determining fault in a bus accident case is often even more complicated than determining fault in typical car accident cases. This is because so many different parties can contribute to one serious bus crash. Sometimes, a bus crash is caused by a negligent bus driver. The driver may be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, texting and driving, or simply too sleepy to stay alert. Often, the bus company is liable for a bus crash caused by a negligent driver. Bus accidents may also be the fault of third parties including other drivers. Bus crashes may be caused or worsened by poor road conditions, inadequate traffic signals, or dangerous intersections. A bus company’s failure to regularly inspect and maintain buses can also cause crashes.

Legal Hurdles in a Bus Crash Injury Claim

If you or a loved one were hurt in a bus crash, you may have several legal options. However, it is important to remember that bus crash claims involving government-owned buses are particularly complicated. School buses and CTA buses are owned by school districts, cities, and counties. This means that the case will be subject to special rules and deadlines. Consequently, it is important to contact an experienced bus crash injury attorney as soon as possible after a bus crash.

Contact a Lake County Bus Crash Injury Lawyer

Bus crashes can cause severe and often life-altering injuries. If you were hurt in a bus-related accident or you lost a loved one in a fatal bus crash, contact a Waukegan personal injury lawyer from Salvi & Maher, LLP for help. Call us at 847-662-3303 for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1865&ChapterID=50