Like most Americans, you expect to be safe when riding on public transportation. In the same vein, you probably also expect your children to remain safe while riding a bus on the way to school. Unfortunately, not every bus trip ends the way it should.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 106 people—both children and adults—are killed every year while riding in a school bus. Additionally, 12,000 injuries annually are experienced by children on school buses. In comparison, 283 people on average are killed each year on other types of buses while 24,000 are injured.
If you or one of your children were injured in a bus accident, an Oak Lawn bus accident lawyer may be able to assist you in recovering your damages. To see how a dedicated personal injury attorney could help, schedule a consultation with a skilled attorney today. En Español.
Causes of Bus Accidents
Even when drivers are careful, accidents are sometimes impossible to avoid, and a variety of factors can cause or contribute to a bus accident. In many of these accidents, the bus driver can be held at fault for their own negligence, such as if they fail to see another vehicle on the road and cause compensable damages by running into it.
Bus crashes like this in Oak Lawn can often be attributed to blind spots that make it more difficult for the bus driver to see around their large bus. Inadequate training is another common factor in bus accidents, as is improper bus maintenance.
Other common contributing factors in bus crashes that may give rise to claims of civil liability include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving recklessly
- Poor weather conditions/visibility
- Defective bus equipment
- Dangerous roadways
Statute of Limitations in Bus Accident Cases
In the state of Illinois, plaintiffs only have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit and seek compensation for their damages. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations, and for bus crashes it is two years from the date of the accident. Time is of the essence in such cases, because after the statute of limitations expires, a claim related to the bus accident may be ignored by the court as per 735 ILCS 5/13-202. For more information or guidance, schedule a consultation with an Oak Lawn bus accident lawyer today.
Recoverable Damages
As a plaintiff in a bus accident, an injured victim can seek different types of compensation with the help of an Oak Lawn bus accident lawyer. If the lawsuit is decided in their favor, the victim may be able to recover for their medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning ability, and travel and legal expenses, as well as emotional and physical pain and suffering. Although monetary compensation cannot make the victim whole again, it may help pay bills and relieve some of their stress.
Talking to an Oak Lawn Bus Accident Attorney
An Oak Lawn bus accident lawyer may be able to provide you with the legal assistance that you need to recover your damages from a bus accident. A compassionate local attorney could be thorough in the preparation of your case and help send a firm settlement demand to the parties responsible for your bus accident.
If a settlement cannot be reached before trial, your lawyer could be prepared to take your case to trial if that is what you desire. Your attorney could also discuss your settlement and trial options and the pros and cons of each. Call today to get professional legal help after a bus accident.