Many residents of Aurora and the Chicagoland area rely on public transportation to get to work. Bus travel is generally safe, but riders can suffer serious injury in a bus crash, especially when riders are standing. Buses do not have many of the safety features of cars, like seat-belts and airbags. If a rider is injured in a bus crash accident, they may be able to get money damages for their injuries.
Injured Riders in Illinois Bus Accidents
Accidents involving the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) buses, Pace buses, or school buses are too common. Like other auto accidents, bus accidents can be caused by the bus driver, other negligent drivers, or because of a vehicle defect or hazardous road conditions. However, accidents involving buses are usually different from regular car accidents because the bus may carry dozens of passengers at a time.
On March 8, 2020, 14 people were hospitalized after a CTA bus crashed in Greater Grand Crossing. Shortly before noon, the bus was driving north on South Cottage Grove and swerved to avoid a wrong-way driver. The other vehicle then struck the side of the bus. Two of the injured were taken to University of Chicago Medical Center in serious but stable condition.
In December of last year, there was an accident involving not one but two buses. A school bus and CTA bus got into an accident on December 16, 2019, on the Far South Side. Eight people were hospitalized after the accident but none were reported to have serious injuries.
Another bus-on-bus accident occurred earlier this month when a CTA bus struck a school bus in the afternoon on March 2, 2020. Ten adults were taken to area hospitals after the accident, with two people reportedly in fair-to-serious condition.
When the Bus Driver is Negligent or Reckless in Illinois
Bus drivers drive large vehicles for a living. The testing and training requirements for bus drivers are stricter than for regular drivers. However, it does not mean that the bus driver is not negligent or reckless in causing an accident.
In December, a CTA driver was fired after running over a cyclist in River North. The cyclist survived but suffered injuries to his arms, legs, and torso. The bus driver had worked an average workweek of 60 hours in 2019. The bus driver was involved in at least 2 prior crashes since starting the job in 2018.
A school bus driver in Aurora was caught apparently drinking beer while picking up students in November 2019. Video from the bus camera showed the driver buying two beers at a gas station, putting the beers into brown paper bags, and drinking from cans. The driver was drinking from the cans while 32 school children were on the bus. It was the gas station clerk who called the bus company to report the driver. The school bus driver was later fired and arrested on charges of endangering the life and health of a child.
Aurora and Chicago Bus Accident Injury Lawyer
If you or your child were injured in a bus accident in Aurora or the Chicagoland area, you need an experienced Illinois personal injury lawyer. Contact the Cullotta Bravo Law Group today at 630-898-7800 to schedule your free consultation.
