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Chicago Bus Accident Lawyers

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Chicago Bus Accident Lawyers

If you have been in an accident involving a bus, or if someone you love has been in such an accident, it’s critical to get in touch with an expert attorney as soon as possible. 

Bus accidents can be complicated cases

Not only are potentially dozens of people involved and injured, there also could be several vehicles involved, complex issues of liability, and a variety of insurance companies quickly working to clear the case as quickly as possible.

When a bus accident happens in Chicago or throughout Illinois, it’s important to get first aid and medical care – but do not give an official statement to an insurance company, and don’t settle or make any agreements with any third parties until you talk to an attorney. Having independent legal advice means your rights are being protected, and you’re taking care of your own personal interests.

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Our Team and Process

The Lamber Goodnow legal team and the attorneys at our partner firms are experienced at handling these types of cases. Our lawyers have decades of experience, and know how complex it can be when a bus is involved in an accident. From minor injuries to serious injuries and even wrongful death, our group of lawyers and experts can analyze the situation, assess liability and represent you so you get maximum compensation.

Because bus accidents often involve commercial vehicles licensed in a variety of states, plus additional individuals and vehicles, assessing liability can be a challenge. That’s why you need a legal team with not just local expertise but also national experience. Our team knows how to deal with insurance companies large and small.

When you hire us, we’ll launch an investigation on your behalf. This includes not just reviewing the official materials in the police report, but also doing our own research, interviewing witnesses, investigating the driver and the carrier, and making sure we understand exactly who was negligent at the time of the accident. It doesn’t matter whether you were riding on a tour bus, a school bus or a municipal bus – you always have rights, and you have the right to protect yourself.

Accidents can happen with any kind of bus:

  • City bus
  • School bus
  • Tour bus
  • Charter bus
  • Coach bus
  • Private bus

Vehicle fatalities are far too common in Illinois. In Cook County alone, more than 1,300 vehicle passengers have died in collisions since 2000. That includes passengers traveling on municipal or private/coach buses. When you enter a bus, you’re trusting that the driver is responsible, and that the owner has taken proper precautions with maintenance, training and more. These incidents are serious and often catastrophic.

Discuss Your Case With An Attorney Now

 

FAQs: Bus Accidents in Chicago

Q: If I am injured while a passenger on a bus, whom can I sue for my injuries?

A: You may sue whoever is liable (at fault) for your injuries.  This could include the bus driver, the bus company (whether publicly or privately owned), another vehicle involved, or a manufacturer of a defective vehicle.

In order for a passenger to prove that the bus company was liable for the bus driver’s negligence, they would have to prove that: (1) the plaintiff was a passenger on the common carrier; (2) that an accident occurred; (3) that an injury was inflicted; and (4) the injury was caused by an apparatus totally under the control of the carrier or furnished and supplied by it.[1]

The importance of an employer’s liability is that most corporate insurance policies include several layers of coverage and may be more substantial than an individual’s insurance policy.  Depending on the extent of your personal injuries, an employer’s policy may adequately cover your injuries, where a personal policy may not.

Q: If I am a passenger in an automobile involved in an accident with a bus, whom can I sue for my injuries?

A: You may sue whoever is liable (at fault) for your injuries. This could include the bus driver, the bus company (whether publicly or privately owned), another vehicle involved, or a manufacturer of a defective vehicle.

Q: If I am a passenger on a bus do I have any special protections?

A: Yes.  When one becomes a passenger of a common carrier (bus, train) to be transported from one place to another, and has paid money for the transportation, a contract has been formed and the duty of the carrier is to provide a safe and sound means to convey the passenger to their destination without injury.[2]

This includes an exercise of the highest degree of care toward the passenger to prevent injuries, which could have been reasonably foreseen and avoided by the carrier.[3]  Additionally, this duty also applies to furnishing safe and proper vehicles and equipment, and the employment of skillful and prudent operators and managers.[4]

Therefore, because a common carrier must exercise the highest degree of care toward its passengers, it may be liable for the slightest degree of negligence.

Q: What damages may I recover in a bus accident?

A: If you are injured in a bus accident, you are entitled to recover damages for your past and future lost wages, past and future medical expenses, and past and future pain and suffering.

However, if your loved one is killed in a bus accident, you are entitled to recover under the theory of wrongful death. Under Illinois’s Wrongful Death Act, a spouse may recover for loss of consortium and a child may recover for loss of society. Both theories look at the love and affection that the decedent would have given if they were still alive. Additionally, family members may obtain damages for the amount of personal services, advice and money that the decedent would have brought the family.

Q: Who would be held liable if I was assaulted while on a bus?

A: The person that assaulted you will be liable for the attack. However, in some situations, the bus company may be held liable (at fault).  If the bus company did not use reasonable care to assist in insuring a reasonably safe environment they may be held liable.

Being Your Advocate

You might have been on the bus with dozens of other people, but you’re our client. And your injuries – and their effect on your livelihood as well as your family’s – are important to us.

Our litigation strategy includes not just getting you compensation for your immediate physical injuries, but also your long-term healing, any wages you might have lost, as well as pain and suffering. We’ll also look into negligence and/or liability of the driver, the bus company, the bus manufacturer and the manufacturer of the bus’ parts.

We’ll also look into the maintenance of the bus, the history of the driver and the bus company, and any other pertinent information that could help your case.

Our No-Fee Promise, No-Obligation Consultation

When you hire the Lamber Goodnow team, you won’t pay any out-of-pocket legal costs. Our services won’t cost you anything unless we recover money for you in a settlement or a verdict in your favor.

While we’re working on your case, we and our partner firms will handle all the communications with insurance companies and the other defendants – you won’t have to worry about those hassles. We’ll take care of it for you, so you can focus on recovery.

Call us at (312) 697-1498, 24/7, to schedule a no-obligation, no-fee consultation with one of our attorneys. During the consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to explain the accident, ask us questions, and learn about your rights.


[1]  New York, C. & S.L.R. Co. v. Blumenthal, 160 Ill. 40, 43 N.E. 809 (1895).

[2]  Elgin, A. & S. Traction Co. v. Wilson, 217 Ill. 47, 75 N.E. 436 (1905).

[3]  McCoy v. Chicago Transit Authority, 69 Ill. 2d 280, 13 Ill. Dec 690, 371 N.E.2d 625 (1977).

[4]  Chicago & A. R. Co. v. Wilson, 63 Ill. 167 (1872).

440+ Google 5 Star Reviews

"My wife and I had occasion to use Mr. Lamber and his staff for a legal matter. The entire staff was wonderful. They kept us informed of every step and communicated quickly and effectively as things changed or progressed. We would highly recommend Mr. Lamber and his staff to anyone needing legal advice or assistance. They had a very high level of integrity and professionalism. It's too bad there are only 5 stars for their rating. They are excellent."

David Sanford

"I just got rear-ended today, but I'm thankful I found this firm. They take care of you in general, and if you don't make enough to cover your costs, they back you up 100%. Stephanie Ramos gave excellent and kind customer service by getting me in motion with the whole process. Attorney Donn Coolidge gave me the rundown of the situation very clearly, and I'm looking forward to working with him. I fully recommend this firm!"

Jonathan Carrillo Lopez

Chicago, Illinois

312-757-7777

141 West Jackson Boulevard #4219
Chicago, IL 60604