Chicago Bus Accident Lawyer
A bus accident can cause life-changing injuries and trauma. An experienced Chicago bus accident lawyer can help victims pursue financial justice and recover damages to offset the burdensome costs and consequences of a crash.
Did you recently suffer injuries in a bus accident in Chicago, Illinois? Whether you were a bus passenger, a bystander, or in another vehicle, you may have the right to recover compensation. The experienced Chicago bus accident lawyers at Levin & Perconti are here to help you maximize your financial recovery.
Since 1992, our nationally-recognized Illinois trial attorneys have been dedicated advocates to Chicago’s accident victims. Putting decades of experience behind every case, we’ve helped clients win tens of millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards.
Don’t settle for a penny less than you deserve. Contact our Chicago law office to learn about your legal rights and discover why you’ll want Levin & Perconti fighting for you after your bus accident. Your first consultation is free, so call today.
How common are bus accidents in Illinois?
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, more than 2,200 bus accidents were reported across the state in 2020, averaging six bus accidents every single day.
These collisions included 1,839 passenger bus accidents, 407 of which resulted in an injury and another two that were fatal.
There were also 379 school bus accidents, 68 of which caused an injury and one that was fatal.
What causes most bus accidents in Chicago?
Most bus accidents in Chicago shouldn’t happen. Bus services are tightly regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Illinois state law. Companies have a responsibility to hire and train competent drivers. Drivers are legally required to obtain a commercial driver’s license before they can transport passengers.
When bus accidents do happen on the streets of Chicago, it’s usually because of human error or negligence.
Leading factors that contribute to bus accidents include:
- Inexperienced operator
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drug and alcohol use
- Fatigued operation of a bus
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Blocking bike lanes, crosswalks, and otherwise impeding traffic
- Negligent hiring
- Negligent bus maintenance and repair
- Failing to pull a malfunctioning bus from service
- Unsafe turns
Other factors unrelated to human error, such as vehicle defects, bad weather conditions, and traffic congestion, can also cause bus accidents in Chicago.
How can a Chicago personal injury lawyer help if I’ve been hurt in a bus accident?
Bus accidents can leave passengers and victims struggling with severe, catastrophic injuries. The days, weeks, and months that follow a crash can be incredibly difficult. While you may have the right to file a claim for damages, now’s the time for you to focus your energy on getting better and moving forward with your life.
That’s where our Chicago personal injury lawyers can help.
When you choose Levin & Perconti, you’ll get a team of award-winning bus accident attorneys with over 200 years of combined experience. You’ll benefit from a law firm that cares about you and has the resources needed to not only win your bus accident case, but get the best possible result.
While we go toe-to-toe with the bus company, negligent motorists, insurance companies, and other defendants on your behalf, you’ll have the much-needed opportunity to heal and recover.
As we navigate your bus accident case, our team will:
- Coordinate a thorough independent investigation of your bus crash
- Establish causation, fault, and liability
- Gather accident reports, photographs, video footage, bus maintenance and inspection records, physical evidence from the scene of the crash, medical records, and other information that can be used to build and strengthen a claim for damages
- Interview, subpoena, and depose witnesses and interested parties
- Anticipate victim-blaming tactics that could hurt your chances of a full financial recovery
- Consult with respected experts, specialists, and professionals
- Handle negotiations with other parties on your behalf
Our goal will be to achieve a swift and meaningful settlement that accurately reflects what your Chicago bus accident case is worth. However, we’ll never sacrifice the quality of our legal representation or leave money on the table just to make a quick deal. If we believe you can get a better settlement or that there are good odds of a victory at trial, we’ll be ready to bring your case to a jury.
Contact our Chicago law office today to get started with a free consultation.
Confidential
Settlement
for a 50-year-old woman who suffered multiple pelvic fractures, rib fractures, and spinal transverse process fractures when she was run over by a bus while walking in a crosswalk.
Confidential
Settlement
77-year-old woman whose right leg was amputated above the knee when she was struck by a bus while walking across a bus terminal.
What types of injuries are suffered by bus accident victims in Chicago?
Buses are large, heavy vehicles, and they can do considerable damage when they’re involved in a car accident. Passengers, occupants of other motor vehicles, and others on the road can sustain severe and life-changing injuries in these collisions.
At Levin & Perconti, we represent bus accident victims who have suffered:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue damage, including sprains and strains
- Dental injury
- Trauma to the eyes and face
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury
- Whiplash
- Neck injury
- Back injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- Internal organ damage
- Wrongful death of a family member
After a bus accident, your first priority should be getting to the nearest hospital. Securing medical treatment right away will limit the chances of complications or adverse health issues. Once your condition is stable, reach out to our top-rated personal injury attorneys to learn about your legal rights and options.
How much is my Chicago bus accident case worth?
Every case will be different, but certain factors will always be relevant when it comes to calculating how much money your bus accident case might be worth.
What types of injuries have you suffered?
- Are your injuries going to result in a permanent impairment or disability?
- Are you able to continue working?
- What was your earning capacity before your bus accident?
- What’s your earning capacity now?
- Do you share responsibility for the bus accident?
- Has the crash aggravated any pre-existing medical conditions?
- How has being in a bus accident affected you psychologically?
The Chicago bus accident attorney you hire to represent you can also affect how much money you’re able to recover when your case is resolved.
At Levin & Perconti, we’ve led injured bus accident victims like you to millions in meaningful financial awards. Notable bus accident settlements include:
- $1.25 million settlement for a client who sustained multiple fractures when she was run over by a bus while crossing the street in a crosswalk
- $1.25 million settlement for a client who sustained a severe leg injury when she was struck by a bus
We’re known for going above and beyond for our clients, and you can count on us to fight tirelessly for you after your Chicago bus accident.
What damages are available to Chicago bus accident victims?
Generally, bus accident victims in Illinois can receive economic damages and non-economic damages in a personal injury claim.
Economic damages make up for the financial losses and costs associated with a bus accident, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Rehabilitation
- Therapy
- Property damage
- Nursing care
Non-economic damages are awarded to make up for the consequences of a bus crash that don’t have a set financial value, such as:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Pain and suffering
- Chronic physical pain and discomfort
- Reduced quality of life
- Embarrassment
- Disfigurement
At Levin & Perconti, we’ve worked hard to cultivate relationships with leading accident and injury specialists in Chicago. We’ll lean on them for insight into your case so that we can fully appreciate the scope and impact of your injuries. With their assistance, we’ll be armed with the information we need to not only win your bus accident case, but maximize your financial award.
Understanding Liability for a Bus Accident
Under Illinois state law, liability is shared by everyone who plays a role in causing a bus accident.
After our law firm has carefully investigated the circumstances of your crash, we may determine that one or more of the following parties are liable:
- Negligent bus driver
- Private bus company like Greyhound or Peter Pan
- Chicago Transit Authority
- Charter bus company
- Tour bus company
- School bus driver
- Government agency
- Employer of a negligent party
- Third-party motorist, including the driver of a passenger car, truck driver, or motorcyclist
- Pedestrian
- Bicyclist
- Property owner
Once liability is clear, our bus accident lawyers will work to pursue damages from everyone who directly or indirectly contributed to your accident.
Is there a time limit for filing a bus accident lawsuit in Illinois?
The type of bus that’s involved in your accident will dictate how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit.
For accidents involving private buses, Illinois’ two-year statute of limitations will typically apply. This will give you until the second anniversary of your bus crash to file a claim for damages.
For accidents involving Chicago city buses or other government-run services, you may have just one year to initiate a legal claim for damages.
Statute of limitations laws are complex and you don’t want to let the deadline pass before you take action. You lose the right to file a claim, demand accountability, and recover compensation once the statute of limitations expires.
Trusted Chicago Bus Accident Lawyers Ready to Fight for You
Did you or a family member recently sustain injuries in a bus accident in Chicago, Illinois? Speak with an experienced Chicago bus accident lawyer at Levin & Perconti. You may have the right to file an insurance claim or lawsuit, and we’re ready to help you work to secure a meaningful financial award.
You will get a team with 200+ years of experience that’s won millions to fight for you. All you have to do is give our law office in Chicago a call to discuss the details of your bus accident case. Your first consultation is free, and we’re always standing by 24/7/365.
Testimonials
Legally Reviewed by
John J. Perconti
Contact Us
- Free Consultation
- (312) 332-2872
Notable Results
SETTLEMENT
for a 5-year-old boy run over by a fire truck as he played on a fire hydrant, resulting in the loss of his leg and half of his pelvis
SETTLEMENT
for the family of a 32-year-old woman who was killed when their pick-up truck was rear-ended by a semi-truck
VERDICT
for a 23-year-old woman who suffered multiple leg fractures in an automobile collision
Our Office
325 N LaSalle Dr Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60654
312-332-2872
