Mass Transit Accidents Attorney in Chicago, Illinois

According to the 2020 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics, there were 1,839 total crashes involving buses in 2020. In Illinois, public transportation (transit buses) provide a cheaper means of commuting for many residents. However, these buses and mass transit are not completely safe from accidents and road mishaps. At times, the negligence or carelessness of other drivers and road users may expose passengers using mass transit to traffic accidents or injuries. 

If you or a loved one were hurt in a mass-transit accident caused by another person's negligent actions, you are within your rights to pursue fair financial compensation. At the Law Office of Anselmo Duran P.C., we are here to support and represent clients in their mass transit accident cases. Our highly-skilled Illinois personal injury attorney can fight vigorously for your best interests and help recover the maximum available compensation for your injuries and damages. 

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

Common Causes of Mass Transit Accidents 

Here are some causes of bus or mass transit accidents in Illinois: 

• Faulty or defective vehicles or parts. 

• Collision with passenger cars or other automobiles. 

• Operator negligence, including distracted driving, driving fatigued, speeding, inexperience, and violating traffic laws. 

• Defectively designed or poorly maintained roads or rails. 

• Lack of supervision and training. 

• Poor vehicle maintenance. 

• Damage to roads or rails. 

• Inadequate security, lighting, or safety measures. 

• Incorrect dispatching. 

However, many mass transit vehicles are not equipped with standard safety equipment, such as seatbelts and airbags. As a result, individuals involved in mass transit accidents may suffer minor, moderate, or serious injuries. A seasoned personal injury attorney can review the surrounding details of your case and help determine the liable party. 

Who is Liable for a Mass Transit Accident? 

Furthermore, depending on the surrounding circumstances or events leading to the incident, any of the following parties may be held responsible for a mass transit crash: 

• The bus driver if the accident occurred due to operator negligence. 

• A private contractor or government agency that failed to properly maintain the roadway. 

• The Illinois transit system if the accident happened due to hiring an inexperienced driver, inadequate safety inspection, or setting unrealistic expectations. 

• The driver of another vehicle due to their negligent or careless actions. 

• The maintenance personnel, due to their sheer oversight or negligence in conducting routine inspection or maintenance. 

• The bus or parts manufacturer.

• The bus company.

A strategic Illinois mass transit accident attorney can evaluate all of the facts of your unique situation, seek to identify the liable party, and help file multiple claims. 

Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Illinois 

Illinois is an at-fault state. According to the state's fault laws, the person responsible for the mass transit crash (at-fault party) will be held financially and civilly for injuries, property damages, and other accident-related losses sustained by the victims. 

If you're injured in an Illinois mass transit accident, you can proceed by: 

• Filing a first-party claim with your own insurance provider. 

• Filing a third-party claim against the at-fault party's insurance carrier. 

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

An experienced attorney can guide you through the personal injury claims process and help pursue fair financial compensation to cover your injuries, damages, or losses. 

Filing a Wrongful Death Claim 

However, if you lost a loved one in a mass transit accident, you may be able to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim. According to Illinois Wrongful Death Act, a wrongful death claim must be filed by the "personal representative" of the decedent’s estate.  

What’s more, the personal representative may be the surviving spouse, adult children, or parent of the deceased person. A knowledgeable Illinois wrongful death lawyer can help file your wrongful death claims and pursue the deserved financial justice for your untimely loss. 

Work With a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney 

Getting injured in a mass-transit accident can be emotional and overwhelming. Such an unfortunate incident can affect you physically, financially, and mentally. Nonetheless, you don't have to suffer the pain and financial liability all alone. Depending on your unique situation, you may be able to seek damages by filing a claim against the liable public or private party. A trusted personal injury attorney can fight for your rights and analyze your options to seek damages. 

At the Law Office of Anselmo Duran P.C., our attorneys can advocate for the best interests of clients in their mass transit accident claims. As your legal team, we can investigate every detail of your situation, seek to prove fault and liability, and estimate your case value. In addition, our dependable team will help file your injury claims, negotiate fair financial compensation with the insurer, or take additional legal action where necessary.