Bus Accident Law

What are Bus Accident Claims?

Bus accident claims involve injuries sustained by passengers, pedestrians, or other motorists in collisions involving public transit buses, school buses, charter buses, or private motor coaches. Bus accident cases are more complex than standard vehicle crashes because they often involve government entities (municipal transit authorities, school districts) that carry sovereign immunity protections under the Illinois Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/). Claims against government-operated buses require strict notice deadlines — typically one year from the date of injury — and are subject to damage caps. Bus operators and their employers are held to a higher “common carrier” standard of care, meaning they must exercise the highest degree of care for passenger safety. Recoverable damages include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and permanent disability.

Central Illinois Bus Accident Lawyers

Buses serve as a popular form of transportation, and are especially popular in Illinois as thousands each day rely on school buses, public transportation buses, or charter buses. However, bus accidents occur all too frequently on streets and highways across America. The experienced Decatur personal injury lawyers at Bolen Robinson & Ellis understand how traumatic a bus accident can be, and our bus accident lawyers are committed to ensuring that bus accident victims obtain the results they deserve.

About Bus Accidents
Given their large size, buses pose a particularly dangerous threat to both riders and those sharing the road with them. Often, crashes are caused by:

Reckless driving and failure to follow traffic regulations

Fatigued drivers

Inadequately trained bus drivers and improper safety policies

Poor weather conditions and visibility

Defective bus equipment

Improper bus maintenance

Overloaded buses

Speeding

Driver inattention

Drivers operating under the influence

Those accidents may lead to death or serious physical injury for both riders and those sharing the road with buses. Common injuries stemming from bus accidents include:

Head injuries

Fractured bones

Cuts and bruising

Burn injuries

Spinal cord injuries

Amputations

Internal injuries

Injuries due to bus crashes can be complex to litigate because multiple parties may be at fault, including:

The bus driver

The bus owner

The bus management company

Bus equipment manufacturers

Other negligent drivers

Government entities, if the bus is public

School Bus Accidents
Throughout the United States, school buses are relied on by millions of children each day. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”), students are approximately 70 times more likely to safely get to school if taking a school bus instead of traveling by car. This is largely due to safety designs that are incorporated into school buses, such as heightened visibility and stop-sign arms. Bus despite those safety designs, school bus accidents unfortunately still occur.
School bus accidents can primarily be divided into three categories:

Single-Vehicle School Bus Accident – Accidents falling in this category occur if the school bus is the only vehicle involved in the crash. This type of crash often occurs when the bus driver operates the bus negligently or carelessly. However, this type of crash can also occur if negligence or recklessness by another motor vehicle driver causes the bus driver to perform an evasive maneuver.

Multi-Vehicle School Bus Accident – Accidents falling in this category occur when two or more vehicles are involved in a collision. If a child is injured in a multi-vehicle school bus accident, multiple parties may be held liable for injuries and damages.

Child-Crossing Accident – This type of accident typically occurs when children are either boarding or exiting the bus. Although laws are in place to protect children as they enter or depart a school bus, the NHTSA has provided that this category is the greatest risk to children that regularly rely on school buses.

Victims of bus accidents often suffer the burden of large expenses, including hospital bills, medical treatment and medication, childcare, loss of personal time with loved ones, and missed time from work. A successful personal injury claim can reimburse victims for those expenses.

Get Fast and Effective Legal Solutions

The experienced Decatur personal injury lawyers at BRE Law are committed to ensuring that traffic accident victims obtain the results that they deserve. If you have been hurt in a bus accident, please contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our bus accident lawyers.