Bus Accident Attorneys Serving Illinois
Bus accidents in Illinois and Chicago happen far more often than you might think. Buses operated by private bus companies, cities and public municipalities are routinely involved in accidents each year, and those accidents cause hundreds of injuries and even some fatalities.
If you were hurt in a bus accident in Illinois, contact Coplan + Crane, where you can connect with an experienced, responsive bus accident lawyer based in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park. We know how to handle serious bus and truck accidents. We have years of experience and work tirelessly to get people the money they rightfully deserve. Our results speak for themselves. We have a strong record for obtaining large, multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts for personal injury victims. Call (708) 358-8080 or (800) 394-6002 and discover what we can do for you.
What are the common causes of bus accidents in Chicago?
The causes of bus accidents cover a wide range. Sometimes, the bus driver is not paying attention to the road. The driver might be texting or talking on a cellphone, even though it’s against the law in Illinois. Other times, the driver is speeding and fails to stop in time. The vehicle may not have been properly maintained, resulting in a serious accident with multiple injuries and several vehicles.
The answer is not so simple. Every bus accident is unique. But there are often many common factors in bus accidents. In many cases, bus accidents can be traced back either to driver error or vehicle maintenance failure. Even when the driver is in error, the bus company may also be liable in the crash. The company might have known the driver had a bad driving record when he or she was hired, or may have known about a substance abuse problem.
The causes of bus crashes cover a wide range. They include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving (texting or not paying attention)
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (sometimes to help stay awake)
- Failing to observe traffic signals
- Failing to yield right of way
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Untrained drivers
- Not slowing down or driving safely in bad weather
From School Bus Accidents To CTA accidents, We Are Ready To Fight For You
Commercial bus drivers are held to a higher standard than drivers of passenger cars. For example, a bus driver’s blood-alcohol level cannot exceed .04 percent (the limit for non-commercial drivers is .08). Illinois law holds school bus drivers to an even higher safety standard. For example, a school bus driver cannot have any detectable amount of alcohol in his or her blood.
Our Chicago bus accident lawyers are prepared to handle all types of bus crashes:
- School bus accidents
- Accidents involving Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus riders
- Accidents involving PACE buses
- Accidents involving a bus heading through Illinois from out of state
- Charter bus tour accidents
- Shuttle bus accidents
- Greyhound bus accidents
- Megabus accidents
Bus companies have a responsibility to make sure their drivers are well trained and operate their vehicles in a safe, controlled manner. Bus companies must perform the required repairs and maintain every vehicle on a regular basis, including making sure the brakes work, the lights function, and the tires are in good shape.