Were you or a loved one injured in a bus accident in Northbrook, Illinois? If so, Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers can help you identify the party or parties responsible for your injuries, investigate the crash, gather compelling evidence, and demand the financial compensation you deserve. Contact us online or call our Northbrook bus accident lawyers at (847) 513-9582 for a free consultation.
Buses are one of the safest and least expensive forms of transportation. Still, accidents involving these large vehicles happen. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 204 fatal bus crashes occurred in 2021, and another 10,000 bus injury crashes occurred that same year.
If you’ve been injured, reach out to our law firm today for a free case review.
Why Choose Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers for Help With Your Bus Accident Claim in Northbrook, IL?
Bus accident claims often involve layers of complexity beyond those in standard car crashes. These cases may include navigating state and federal transportation regulations, dealing with large corporations or government entities, and addressing intricate liability issues. To succeed, you need an attorney with the experience and skill to handle these unique challenges.
At Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve been fighting for injury victims for over 30 years. With more than 68 years of combined legal experience, our team has recovered over $125 million on behalf of our clients. We bring deep legal knowledge, aggressive advocacy, and a commitment to justice to every case we handle.
Let us put our decades of experience to work for you. Contact our Northbrook bus accident attorneys today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Types of Buses Involved in Accidents
A bus is classified as such if it was designed to carry ten or more people besides the driver.
Any type of bus can potentially be involved in an accident, including:
- Chicago Transit Authority buses
- Pace buses
- Flix buses
- Greyhound buses
- Tour buses
- Charter buses
- School buses
- Church buses
- Recreational and camp buses
The Chicago Transit Authority operates the second-largest public transportation system in the United States, which covers 140 bus routes and 242 miles of rapid transit rail track. No matter the type, bus accidents can lead to serious injuries and complex legal issues, making it crucial to understand your rights and options after a crash.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Buses can be extremely difficult to drive. They are much longer than a standard vehicle, and have a wider turning radius. Bus driving is a hard job, so many businesses and government agencies may offer incentives to new drivers joining the field. However, this could lead to accidents caused by driver inexperience or lack of training.
Driving a bus can also involve many distractions, ranging from distractions inside the bus, such as chatting passengers and dispatch alerts, to distractions outside the vehicle, such as traffic noise and conditions. Distractions can delay responses, which can lead to catastrophic consequences for the occupants inside the bus in the event of a crash.
Drivers must meet strict deadlines. This may influence them to drive unsafely in an effort to reduce time, such as speeding, running red lights, or taking other unnecessary risks. Because bus drivers work long hours, they often suffer from driver fatigue, which can dull their senses and slow reaction times. Some bus drivers may turn to drugs or alcohol.
An experienced Northbrook bus accident attorney can investigate your case to determine its cause and who is responsible.
Illinois’ Common Carrier Liability Act
Bus companies like the CTA and Metra are considered common carriers under Illinois law. As such, they are held to the highest duty of care when it comes to passenger safety—exceeding the standard required of private drivers or ordinary transportation services. This duty includes properly hiring and training drivers, maintaining vehicles in safe working condition, and taking all reasonable steps to prevent passenger injuries.
Who Is Legally Responsible for a Bus Accident?
Various parties could be held liable for a bus accident, including the following:
- Bus drivers
- Bus companies
- Mechanics and companies to whom the bus company outsourced maintenance and repair
- Government agencies, such as municipalities that operate in the area, the CTA, or the school district whose bus was involved in the accident
- Manufacturers, distributors, or retailers of any defective vehicles or auto parts that contributed to the crash
Through a thorough investigation, our legal team can help identify all parties responsible for your injuries and the legal theories to recover compensation.
What Compensation Can I Recover in an Illinois Bus Accident Case?
Bus accidents tend to cause serious injuries due to the massive size of the vehicles, the lack of passenger restraints, and the possibility of people being displaced in the event of a collision.
As such, they may suffer severe injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Internal organ damage
- Burns
- Injuries to tendons, ligaments, and muscles
These injuries can be expensive to treat and may result in long-term care or rehabilitation periods. Through a personal injury claim, you can seek compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the direct, tangible financial losses you experienced as a result of the accident, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
By documenting and pursuing these economic damages, you can work toward recovering the full financial impact the accident has had on your life and securing the resources needed for your ongoing care and stability.
Non-Economic Damages
Your non-economic expenses include the more subjective losses you suffered, such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Although these losses don’t come with receipts, non-economic damages are just as real and compensable, recognizing the profound impact the accident has had on your quality of life and emotional well-being.
What Is My Bus Accident Case Worth?
Every personal injury claim is different.
Some of the questions our personal injury attorneys may ask to determine the potential value of your claim include:
- What type of injuries did you suffer?
- How severe are your injuries?
- What type of medical treatment did you require?
- Will you likely have future medical expenses?
- What was the extent of your pain and suffering?
- Which type of bus and bus line were involved in the accident?
- What type of insurance coverage applies to the case?
- Did you contribute to the accident?
- Are you expected to make a full recovery, or have you suffered a permanent disability?
- How has the bus accident affected your life?
By carefully evaluating these factors, our attorneys can provide a clearer picture of your case’s potential value and help you pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Contributed to the Accident?
Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence system in personal injury cases where the accident victim contributed to the accident. Under this system, you can still recover compensation if you are found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident. However, your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were awarded $100,000 in damages but were found to be 20% responsible for the crash, your compensation would be reduced by $20,000, leaving you with $80,000. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you will be barred from recovering any compensation.
This rule makes it essential to work with an experienced attorney who can help limit your share of fault and maximize your recovery.
What Should I Do After a Bus Accident?
A bus accident can be a traumatic event, but the actions you take immediately afterward can significantly impact the strength and success of your injury claim.
Some proactive steps you can take include the following:
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Ask for the bus driver’s contact, employer, and insurance information.
- Take pictures of the accident scene, the roadway, and your injuries.
- Keep all records related to your accident, including medical records, correspondence from the insurance company, and receipts for expenses you’ve incurred.
Taking these steps not only protects your health but also helps preserve critical evidence that can strengthen your case and improve your chances of recovering fair compensation.
What Is the Deadline to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Illinois?
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for most personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the accident. However, if your claim is against a government entity, different rules apply. In many cases, you must submit a written notice of your claim within one year of the accident to the appropriate government agency, or you risk losing your right to pursue compensation.
Contact Our Northbrook Bus Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Bus accidents can be overwhelming and often involve multiple injured parties and complex liability issues. Successfully recovering compensation may depend on your ability to build a well-documented and compelling case. At Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers, our experienced Northbrook bus accident lawyers are here to help. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to discuss your legal options and take the first step toward securing the compensation you deserve.
