Public transit, such as buses, are among the safest forms of transportation, and countless people countrywide count on them for their daily commute. While not as common as regular car crashes, the massive size of these vehicles can often result in severe accidents and damages when wrecks do occur.
Civil laws could entitle you to compensation if you were riding on a bus and sustained injuries. However, taking legal action against common carriers is often challenging. Working with a trusted personal injury attorney can help you protect your rights and seek what you need to get back on your feet. Call Costa Ivone, LLC today to begin reviewing the details of your accident with a Carpentersville bus accident lawyer.
Bus crashes can occur for many of the same reasons passenger car collisions happen. Some of the most common causes include the following:
A Carpentersville bus accident attorney could conduct a thorough investigation to determine the liable party and gather evidence to recover damages successfully.
Buses are larger and heavier than most other vehicles and do not offer the same safety devices, such as seatbelts and airbags. Because of this, injuries can often be catastrophic in nature. Some of the most common bus crash injuries include severe head and brain injuries, internal organ damage, whiplash, sprains, and other soft tissue injuries, broken bones, deep lacerations, spinal cord injuries, and more.
There is no standard amount of damages an injured party will recover after proving negligence in a bus crash lawsuit. The judge will review the total losses, extent of injuries, and the liable party’s actions that led to the event. A settlement could cover medical care, lost salary, pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and permanent disability.
Duty of care is the standard legal obligation for everyone to act reasonably and avoid causing foreseeable harm to others. Bus drivers and the companies they work for, also called common carriers, owe passengers the highest degree of care. Bus drivers must always follow federal and state regulations while operating their vehicles and transporting passengers.
When a driver’s negligence causes an accident and injuries, the court will hold the transportation agency financially accountable. According to the Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions – 100.00, laws also hold common carriers to the highest degree of care when there is evidence of danger from other passengers or third-party individuals. This means when circumstances would cause a reasonable person to anticipate impending harm from assault or violence, the company and driver must take appropriate action to protect themselves and their passengers from that harm. A bus accident attorney in Carpentersville could help build a solid claim for damages to prove liability.
Buses offer low-cost, reliable, and safe transportation. However, accidents can and do still occur. The vehicles’ significant length, height, and weight, combined with their lack of safety features, can lead to serious accidents that result in passengers experiencing life-threatening or fatal injuries.
When a bus wreck leaves you unable to work and requires you to seek expensive medical care, a settlement could cover your damages and losses and help you get the financial support you need for recovery. Call a seasoned Carpentersville bus accident lawyer today for help with a case.