City Bus Accidents

City buses in urban areas reduce pollution and increase fuel efficiency. Traveling by bus is more economical than owning and operating a car, and in many cases, public transportation is safer than driving a car. City bus drivers receive more training than an average vehicle driver and are also required to refresh their training on a regular basis. Increasing the mobility options for commuters is important. Throughout the Chicago area, individuals rely on city buses for travel. Unfortunately, city bus accidents do occur, and injured individuals have the right to file a legal claim for damages against the responsible party. At Therman Law Offices, our Schaumburg and Wheaton bus accident attorneys will investigate and advocate on your behalf while seeking to recover damages to compensate for both past and future harm.

Take Legal Action to Recover Compensation After City Bus Accidents

City buses are owned by the government, and there are unique procedural rules that must be met when pursuing a personal injury claim against a government entity. Throughout Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is an example of a public transit service that may be held accountable after a city bus accident. While bus drivers may be legally responsible for harm they have caused by negligent driving, their employer may also be at-fault. Accident victims have the right to pursue legal action as the plaintiff against all at-fault parties, and a skilled lawyer will be able to file a claim appropriately.

A negligent bus driver fails to operate their vehicle in an objectively reasonable manner. City bus drivers are required to maintain vigilance, avoiding behavior and maneuvers that pose harm to others. Federal safety rules must be met, as the city bus is a common carrier by law. City bus drivers are required to use the highest degree of care, above that of an ordinary driver, who must operate their vehicle in a reasonable manner.

Driver negligence requires showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the city bus driver owed them a duty of care, breached this duty, and that this breach directly caused the accident and resulting harm. The bus driver owes the highest level of care as a common carrier. Bus accidents can occur when a driver speeds or drives while fatigued. There are many examples of conduct that may be deemed a breach of their duty of care.

The city that owns and operates the bus may be legally responsible for harm caused by their bus driver. As the employer of the bus driver, the city may be vicariously liable. If at the time of the vehicle collision, the employee’s actions fell within the scope of their employment, then their conduct can be imputed to their employer. In essence, the employee’s actions serve as an extension of their employer.

To file a negligence claim against the city following a city bus crash, the plaintiff victim must meet specific procedural requirements. Unlike a private individual, the city is a government entity and must be given specific notice of the claim. There are strict deadlines regarding providing notice of the claim as well as filing the lawsuit.

Compensation for a successful plaintiff includes economic and non-economic damages. Monetary and non-monetary losses can range from pain and suffering to estimated future medical costs. The physical and emotional toll from a city bus accident is typically extreme, and costs should include potential future care.

Consult With Skilled Attorneys in Schaumburg and Wheaton

At Therman Law Offices, we represent people who have been injured in city bus accidents. Through aggressive advocacy, we help clients recoup costs for medical treatment, lost wages from work, and anticipated future care, as well as damages for both emotional and physical suffering. Our lawyers proudly serve clients from Schaumburg,Wheaton, Villa Park, Elmhurst, Addison, Westmont, Lemont, West Chicago, Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Oakbrook Terrace, Darien, Lisle, and Bolingbrook. To begin the process of understanding and asserting your legal rights, call our office for a free consultation at 312-588-1900 or reach us online.