BUS ACCIDENTS ATTORNEY
IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

In Illinois, public transportation – including buses – offer a cheaper and safer way to commute. Unfortunately, the negligent actions of other drivers, road users, or entities may expose these buses to the dangers of the road – traffic accidents. According to the 2020 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics, there were 1,839 total crashes involving buses in 2020.

If you or someone you know were hurt in a bus accident caused by another person’s negligent actions, you are within your rights to seek fair compensation for your injuries. At the Law Office of Anselmo Duran P.C., we’re poised and ready to support, guide, and represent clients in their bus accident claims. Our skilled Illinois personal injury attorneys will fight vigorously to protect your best interests and help you hold those responsible for your injuries accountable.

The Law Office of Anselmo Duran P.C. proudly represents clients across Chicago, Illinois, and surrounding areas of Lake County, Cook, McHenry, DuPage, Kane, Will, Kankakee, and Grundy.

CAUSES OF BUS ACCIDENTS IN ILLINOIS

Bus accidents occur due to different conditions and actions. These include:

• Driver fatigue

• Distracted driving

• Reckless or aggressive driving

• Bad weather

• Improper maneuvering

• Inadequate training and experience

• Failure to obey traffic signs and signals

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

• Inadequate bus maintenance

• Speeding

• Mechanical failure

• Defective or faulty parts

• Inadequate training

• Poor road conditions

• Dangerous roadways or obstructions

• Failure to properly secure passenger’s possessions

• Failure to use seatbelts

However, due to the different factors and complexity involved with bus accidents, it is important to identify the liable party when seeking damages. An experienced Illinois personal injury attorney can work diligently to determine the at-fault party and explore your possible legal options to pursue damages.

WHO IS LIABLE?

Proving liability in a bus accident case isn’t as straightforward as those of auto accidents. Depending on the surrounding circumstances and events leading to the traffic collision, different parties and entities may be held liable. These include:

• The bus driver

• The driver of another vehicle

• The bus company

• A government agency or private contractor

• The Illinois transit system

• The bus or parts manufacturer

• The maintenance personnel

An experienced bus accident attorney can review all of the facts of your case, determine the liable parties, and help pursue rightful compensation by filing multiple claims.

SUING THE OTHER DRIVER

If the other driver (the driver of another vehicle) was responsible for your bus accident injuries, you can proceed by:

• Filing a third-party claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

• Filing a personal injury lawsuit in civil court against the at-fault driver.

In the state of Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including bus accidents, is two (2) years from the date of the accident or injury.

SUING THE CITY

However, there are specific laws addressing filing injury claims against government-owned buses. If you were hurt in an accident involving a government-owned bus, you can proceed by:

• Filing a written notice of the claim with the Clerk of the Court of Claims and the Attorney General within one (1) year of the date the injury occurred.

• Filing a personal injury lawsuit with the Court of Claims within one (1) year of the date of the accident.

A skilled attorney can guide you through every legal step involved and attempt to seek the maximum possible compensation for your injuries and damages.

WORK WITH A KNOWLEDGEABLE PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY

Being involved in a bus accident can be devastating and affect you mentally, physically, and financially. Fortunately, victims of bus accidents may be entitled to recover damages for their injuries by identifying the liable parties and filing injury claims. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can advocate for your best interests and explore your available legal options to pursue fair compensation.

At the Law Office of Anselmo Duran P.C., we enjoy providing comprehensive legal guidance and compassionate representation to victims of bus accidents and their families. As your legal team, we can review and investigate the facts of your case and enlighten you about your possible legal options to recover damages.

Additionally, our skilled attorneys can attempt to prove fault and help establish liability, determine the liable parties, and work to hold them responsible. We have the resources and knowledge to help clients pursue fair financial compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other possible damages.