Melrose Park Bus Accident Lawyer

Countless people use buses every day to safely transport them around town. However, buses do not provide the same safety equipment as other vehicles, such as seatbelts and airbags. Therefore, when these massive vehicles wreck, passengers often experience life-changing injuries and psychological trauma.

Public transportation operators are held to a high standard to keep their passengers safe. Unfortunately, many bus drivers and the companies they work for fail to uphold this obligation. When you are hurt in a public transportation crash, an experienced personal injury attorney could be a crucial ally to your case. Schedule a consultation with a Melrose Park bus accident lawyer today to learn more.

The Common Bus Accident Causes in Melrose Park

Like other motor vehicle crashes, many circumstances lead to bus accidents. However, some of the common causes of bus crash causes include the following:

• Lack of training or inexperienced vehicle operator
• Distracted driving
• Speeding, careless, or reckless driving
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Negligent bus maintenance and repair
• Unsafe turns

A knowledgeable attorney in Melrose Park could determine how a bus crash occurred and investigate to establish who caused the incident.

Determining the Liable Party After a Bus Accident

Unlike other crash claims, bus accident cases often involve more than one liable party. For example, when a bus company fails to provide adequate training to its drivers, the operator and their employer could bear responsibility for a crash. Likewise, a company responsible for inadequate maintenance or faulty manufacturing part could also be liable for damages.

Common Carrier Duty of Care

Before overseeing a civil trial for damages, a court will provide a jury with instructions to address the common laws and statutory duties the state imposes on common carriers. Under the law, a common carrier is an individual or company transporting people for pay. According to the Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions – 100.00 Common Carriers, the relationship between the passengers and the common carrier exists only when the individual boards, rides, or exits the vehicle.

A common carrier’s legal duty is to use the highest degree of care to protect its passengers, passengers, and pedestrians. Failure to fulfill this duty is considered negligence and makes bus drivers and their employers financially responsible for a person’s injuries. A dedicated lawyer in Melrose Park could review the details of a public transportation accident to determine if the carrier upheld its legal duties.

Recoverable Damages After a Bus Crash

When negligence leads to a bus accident, injured victims are entitled to financial recovery. Common recoverable payments include:

• Healthcare expenses and the cost of ongoing care
• Lost income
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional and mental pain and anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Awards fall within two primary categories. First, economic damages cover a plaintiff’s monetary losses, while non-economic damages cover non-monetary and subjective losses.

Schedule a Consultation With a Seasoned Bus Accident Attorney in Melrose Park

Sadly, a bus crash can leave you with catastrophic, life-threatening, or fatal injuries. When an accident occurs due to negligence by a bus driver, their employer, or a third party, you have the right to hold them financially accountable.

While bus collisions are rare, these incidents often have devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences on passengers and their family members. Therefore, common carriers must adhere to the highest degree of care and avoid causing harm to passengers. Call a hard-working Melrose Park bus accident lawyer today to learn more about filing a claim for damages.