All car crashes are serious, but a collision involving a large bus can do even more damage. With the proliferation of buses in the metropolitan area, you could be injured if your vehicle is struck by one.
If you are in this situation, contact a Chicago bus accident lawyer from Kaveny + Kroll. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand the effects of your injuries and make a legal claim for compensation against the bus company.
Some Possible Causes of Bus Accidents
A bus is far longer and heavier than a typical passenger vehicle, taking up more space on the roads and having limited maneuverability. Bus drivers often have the additional training and skills necessary to operate safely, but they can still cause accidents while driving.
A bus driver might become distracted and fail to see another vehicle because of a cell phone or a commotion on board. They could also be impaired while operating a bus—such as being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or being fatigued. Impairment can reduce a driver’s ability to process and react to their surroundings, significantly increasing the collision risk.
A bus driver may drive poorly or recklessly, speed, or aggressively change lanes without checking for other vehicles. That lack of care behind the wheel can cause a wreck as much as distraction or reduced driving ability. Faulty bus mechanics from a lack of maintenance on the part of the bus company could also lead to a crash, independent of a driver’s actions.
If you were injured in a bus collision in Chicago, our experienced attorneys can determine the cause of the accident and start building a claim. By gathering evidence of a crash and the events leading up to it, a lawyer can ascertain who should be held responsible to compensate you for your injuries.
Injuries From Bus Accidents and Making a Claim
A bus accident victim’s injury can vary depending on the severity of the crash. For example, a victim could be in another vehicle hit by a bus or be a passenger on a bus involved in a collision.
In either case, injuries can be superficial or severe, and even life-threatening in the most serious wrecks. Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries can affect cognition and mobility, and organ damage can threaten bodily functions and life moving forward. Less severe injuries can also take their toll, with cuts and bruises causing pain and posing an infection risk.
Injuries can be the basis of a legal claim in the form of damages, which include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Damages are legal categories for expressing the effects of injuries in compensable areas.
Victims can seek to show that the bus company or its driver were negligent and should pay compensation. Proving negligence typically requires evidence that the defendant breached a legal duty and unreasonably caused legal damages.
Fortunately, our proactive Chicago-based lawyers at Kaveny + Kroll can work on your behalf after you have suffered injuries in a bus crash to gather the necessary evidence and file a claim. Our legal team can help ensure you file a claim within the two-year statute of limitations set by 735 Illinois Compiled Statutes § 5/13-202, preserving your ability to seek compensation.
Get Help From a Chicago Bus Accident Attorney at Our Firm
You deserve compensation for injuries sustained in a bus wreck, and you should have an attorney who partners with you to pursue your claim. A Chicago bus accident lawyer at Kaveny + Kroll will listen to you, evaluate your damages, and start your claim process.
Call now for legal representation with a personal touch backed by years of litigation experience.