Chicago Bus Accident Lawyer

Chicago’s transit buses keep our city moving, from the bustling streets of the Loop to the neighborhoods of Wicker Park, Hyde Park, and Logan Square. But when a bus accident happens, it can turn your life upside down in an instant. Whether you were injured as a CTA bus passenger, a pedestrian, a cyclist, or another driver, the aftermath can be overwhelming. At Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, our Chicago bus accident attorney knows how devastating these accidents can be, and we are committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Our law firm has deep roots in Chicago, and we take pride in protecting the rights of our neighbors. We know the city’s roads, intersections, and transit laws inside and out, and we have successfully taken on cases involving the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Pace, Greyhound, private charter buses, and other transit bus operators. If you’ve been hurt in a bus crash near Michigan Avenue, on Lake Shore Drive, or anywhere in the city, we are here to help.

Call (312) 586-1700 or fill out our online contact form today for a free consultation. Let our experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers handle the legal battle while you focus on healing.

Why Choose Our Chicago Bus Accident Attorney For Your Case?

If you were injured in a bus accident in Chicago, you need a legal team that understands the complexities of these cases and fights for maximum compensation. Bus accidents often involve multiple liable parties, complex insurance claims, and serious injuries, making it critical to have experienced representation on your side. Our firm has a proven track record of securing financial recovery for accident victims, and we are committed to helping you hold the responsible parties accountable.

With years of experience handling bus accident claims, we know how to investigate the crash, gather crucial evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies that try to minimize payouts. We prioritize personalized legal strategies, ensuring that you receive the support, guidance, and aggressive advocacy you deserve. If a bus accident left you with medical bills, lost wages, or long-term injuries, our team is ready to fight for the compensation that is rightfully yours.

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• Common Causes of Bus Accidents
• Types of Bus Accidents That Occur in Chicago
• Types of Compensation You Can Recover After a Bus Accident
• Steps to Take After a Bus Accident
• Specific Challenges in Chicago Bus Accident Cases
• Time Limit for Filing a Bus Accident Claim
• Contact Our Skilled Chicago Bus Accident Lawyer Today

Common Causes of Bus Accidents

Bus drivers and bus companies are responsible for keeping passengers and other motorists safe, but negligence often leads to serious accidents. Many bus crashes occur due to driver errors, mechanical failures, and reckless actions by other drivers on the road. Some of the top causes of bus accidents in Chicago include:

Driver Fatigue and Drowsy Driving

Bus drivers spend long hours on the road, often working demanding schedules with early mornings, late nights, and minimal rest breaks. Fatigue can slow reaction times, impair judgment, and make it harder to focus, increasing the risk of lane drifting, delayed braking, or failure to react to sudden hazards. If a tired or overworked driver caused your accident, the bus company may be held accountable.

Failure to Yield and Traffic Violations

Bus drivers must follow all traffic laws, but some fail to yield, ignore stop signs, or make illegal turns, leading to devastating collisions. Large buses require more time to stop and turn, and a driver who misjudges speed or spacing can cause serious accidents. When a bus driver fails to obey traffic signals or drives aggressively, they put passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers in danger.

Poor Bus Maintenance and Mechanical Failures

Buses must be inspected regularly to prevent mechanical issues, but some transit companies and private operators neglect necessary maintenance. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering system malfunctions can make it impossible for a driver to control the bus, leading to dangerous crashes. When a preventable mechanical failure causes an accident, the bus company or maintenance provider may be liable for your injuries.

Types of Bus Accidents That Occur in Chicago

Bus accidents in Chicago can take many forms, each with unique challenges and risks. Whether you’re a bus passenger, a driver, or a pedestrian, accidents involving buses can result in serious injuries. Here are some of the most common types of bus accidents you may encounter:

• Collisions with Other Vehicles: Bus crashes often involve other vehicles, especially in busy urban areas. Rear-end accidents can occur when a bus or a smaller vehicle hits the back of the other, resulting in significant damage. Side-impact accidents, or T-bone collisions, happen when the side of a bus is struck by another vehicle, putting passengers on that side of the bus at greater risk.
• Accidents with Pedestrians and Cyclists: Chicago’s busy streets are shared by buses, pedestrians, and cyclists. Accidents involving pedestrians, especially at intersections, can happen when a bus makes a sudden turn or doesn’t stop in time. Cyclists, too, can be injured when a bus cuts them off or fails to yield the right of way.
• School Bus Accidents: School buses are an everyday part of Chicago’s roads, and accidents involving them can be especially distressing. These accidents may involve children getting on or off the bus, or the bus colliding with another vehicle. The injuries in school bus accidents can range from minor to severe, depending on the nature of the crash.
• Passenger Injuries on the Bus: In some cases, passengers may be injured while on the bus itself. Sudden stops, sharp turns, or crashes can cause people to fall or be jostled, leading to injury. Additionally, a bus’s interior conditions—like wet floors or broken handrails—can contribute to accidents that hurt passengers.
• Bus Rollovers: Though less common, bus rollovers are serious and often catastrophic. A bus can roll over if it makes a sharp turn too quickly, or if it’s involved in a high-impact collision. Rollovers can cause severe injuries to passengers due to the forces involved and the risk of being thrown from seats.
• Multi-Vehicle Pileups: When a bus is involved in an accident on Chicago’s busy roads, it can trigger a chain reaction, especially in high-traffic areas. The momentum of a bus can cause a pileup, leading to multiple vehicles being involved and increasing the number of potential injuries.

If you or a loved one has been involved in any type of bus accident, even if your situation doesn’t exactly match the examples above, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Chicago bus accident lawyers today. Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is here to help. We’ll guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Types of Compensation You Can Recover After a Bus Accident

A bus accident can leave you with severe injuries, emotional distress, and financial burdens. If a negligent bus driver, transit company, or another responsible party caused the crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. The damages you recover will depend on the severity of your bus accident injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, and the long-term impact of the accident. Examples of such losses could include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs
• Property losses
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Steps to Take After a Bus Accident

A bus accident can leave you shaken, disoriented, and unsure of what to do next. Taking the right steps after the crash can help protect your health, preserve evidence, and strengthen your injury claim. If you were injured in a bus accident, here are the steps you should take:

1. Ensure the bus driver or transit authority is aware of the accident.
2. Call 911 and request medical assistance.
3. Gather contact information from witnesses.
4. Capture images of vehicle damage, traffic signals, road conditions, and any visible injuries to document evidence.
5. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
6. Request a copy of the police report.
7. Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters.
8. Save medical bills, therapy costs, and lost wage documentation to support your claim.

Specific Challenges in Chicago Bus Accident Cases

A bus accident lawsuit in Chicago can be more complicated than other types of personal injury claims. These cases often involve unique challenges that make it harder for victims to recover the compensation they deserve. Here are some of the key issues you might face:

1. Multiple Parties May Be at Fault

After a bus accident, it’s not always clear who is responsible. Several parties could share liability, including the bus driver, the bus company, maintenance providers, or even government agencies like the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). Sorting out who is at fault—and to what degree—requires careful investigation and legal expertise.

2. Public vs. Private Bus Operators

The rules for filing a bus accident lawsuit can vary depending on whether the bus is operated by a public entity (like the CTA) or a private company. Public bus operators often have stricter deadlines and different legal procedures, which can make the process more challenging. If you’re dealing with a public entity, you’ll need to act quickly and follow specific steps to protect your rights.

3. Governmental Immunity

If the bus is run by a government agency, such as the CTA, they may be protected by “governmental immunity.” This legal protection limits when and how they can be sued. However, there are exceptions—especially if negligence is involved. Experienced bus accident lawyers can help you navigate these complex rules and build a strong case.

Time Limit for Filing a Bus Accident Claim

If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, it’s important to act quickly. Illinois law sets strict deadlines—called statutes of limitations—for filing a personal injury claim. Missing these deadlines could mean losing your right to seek compensation.

Standard Deadline: Two Years

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, for most bus accident cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This applies to accidents involving private bus companies or other non-government entities.

Special Rules for Public Buses: One Year

Under 745 ILCS 10/8-101, If the accident involved a city-operated bus, like a CTA bus, the rules are different. Claims against government agencies, including the CTA, must be filed within one year of the accident. This shorter deadline applies to cases involving:

• Negligent bus drivers
• Unsafe bus conditions
• Other acts of negligence by public transportation employees

Filing a claim against a government entity like the CTA requires following specific procedures and meeting strict deadlines. If you miss the one-year window, you could lose your chance to recover compensation—no matter how strong your case might be.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a CTA bus accident, it’s crucial to contact an experienced Chicago bus accident lawyer as soon as possible. A skilled attorney can help you navigate the legal process, meet all deadlines, and protect bus accident victims right to fair compensation.

Contact Our Skilled Chicago Bus Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident in Chicago, the experienced bus accident attorneys at Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC are here to help. Our law firm understands the complexities involved in these cases and will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your claim by filling out our online contact form or by calling us at (312) 586-1700.