Chicago Party Bus Accident Lawyer

Seek Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries Caused by Party Bus Accidents

While party buses can seem like a great way to experience the Magnificent Mile or the Gold Coast, they can also result in serious injuries or even death. A party bus accident lawyer from our firm can hold negligent parties accountable and secure the funds that bus accident victims need to recover. Contact us today for a free consultation about your legal options.

Settlements Recovered by Our Chicago Bus Accident Lawyers

$5,250,000: Ryan was standing on a State Street intersection when he was hit by a speeding vehicle. He lost his leg and was forced to go on permanent disability. Our bus accident attorneys in Chicago showed that the negligent motorist had been texting while driving.

$2,730,000: Anna was biking to the Lincoln Park Zoo when she was hit by a bus making a left turn. She suffered a broken leg and several fractured ribs. Our legal team used police reports and surveillance footage to show that the driver had been making an illegal turn.

$450,000: Joseph was on a pub tour throughout the city when the driver made an abrupt stop on Halsted Street due to a car accident up ahead. He was thrown from his seat and suffered a concussion.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bus Accidents?

Common causes of bus accidents include:

• Fatigue: Private bus companies may push drivers to complete multiple party assignments or assign them odd hours that do not allow them adequate rest.
• Distracted Driving: The driver may be texting, narrating local scenes, or intervening in arguments between guests.
• Speeding: Even though the Chicago speed limit is 30 mph on terrestrial roads (9-12-070), drivers may exceed this in hopes of completing their shift sooner.

Poor Bus Maintenance

Unfortunately, bus accidents are often the result of poor maintenance. 22% of all car accidents are caused by brake failure, and this may be higher for buses due to frequent stops. Worn gears and damaged tires can also result in serious bus accidents that lead to high medical expenses for victims.

What Is the Average Party Bus Accident Settlement?

The typical personal injury claim for a party bus accident is $1,898,311. Factors that influence your compensation include overall medical bills, lost wages, severity of injury, available evidence, and liability.

Example Party Bus Accident Cases

Namar Burton, 22, was a student celebrating his friend’s birthday aboard a party bus. He exited the bus to use a public restroom when he was struck by a second bus. He was dragged under the vehicle until his friend smashed the front window and yelled at the driver to stop. The driver then backed up and ran over Burton a second time. Burton suffered traumatic castration and severe crush injuries that will require him to use a colostomy bag for life. He settled with the insurance company for $6,000,000.00.

Christopher Joseph “C.J.” Saraceno, 24, was celebrating with friends on a party bus when the driver suddenly swerved. He fell down the bus stairs, into the door, and out onto the freeway, where he was hit by multiple cars. He died from multiple traumatic injuries. A lawsuit alleged that the door’s compressors were broken and the bus company had not had them fixed. Saraceno’s family received $4,020,000.00 in a mediated settlement.

What Laws Govern Party Bus Crashes in Chicago?

All public vehicles are required to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards (49 CFR Part 571). This includes occupant crash protection systems, emergency exits, rollover protection, and side impact protection. They also must comply with minimum insurance standards, which start at $1,500,000 in liability insurance for vehicles with 15 occupants or fewer.

In Chicago, public passenger vehicles must be inspected to ensure that all components are in functioning order (9-114-155). Failure to comply with inspection requirements can lead to fines or license revocation.

Lastly, Illinois bus accidents are governed by the state’s modified comparative negligence statute (735 ILCS 5/2-1116), as noted by the Illinois Supreme Court case Alvis v. Ribar. Every party to a personal injury case is assigned a portion of blame. You can sue if you are less than 50% responsible, but any percentage of blame means you will receive less than the maximum compensation available. For example, if you are 10% responsible, you will receive 10% less in damages.

How a Chicago Party Bus Accident Attorney Can Help

A motor vehicle accident attorney in Chicago is crucial to winning your personal injury claim. We will gather evidence, such as accident reports, medical records, surveillance footage, and witness statements, to understand how the accident occurred and who may be liable.

Once this is complete, an attorney from our firm will negotiate with the applicable insurance company for fair compensation. While many claims are settled out of court, we are members of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association with a powerful track record at trial.

Motor vehicle accidents are stressful, but you don’t have to go through this alone. Contact an experienced accident lawyer in Chicago for a free consultation about your legal options. We work on a contingency fee basis: no legal fees unless we win.

FAQs

Can multiple parties be liable for a party bus accident in Chicago?

Yes, the Illinois Joint Tortfeasor Contribution Act enables you to sue more than one party for a bus accident lawsuit(740 ILCS 100/2). To hold any party liable, we must show the four factors of negligence: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. This means that the liable party had a responsibility to protect you but failed to do so. Your injuries were directly caused by this breach of duty, and you suffered economic or non-economic damages.

Potentially liable parties can include the bus driver, bus company, other drivers, or a government entity. Suing a government entity is more complicated due to the Tort Immunity Act, making it essential that you contact experienced Chicago bus accident lawyers familiar with these claims.

How long do victims have to file a party bus accident lawsuit?

The Illinois statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident (735 ILCS 5/13-202). For children, the statute is tolled, or paused, until they turn 18 (735 ILCS 5/13-211). Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the person’s death (740 ILCS 180/).

After you seek medical attention for your injuries, contact an experienced bus accident attorney as soon as possible to ensure that we have time to file your bus accident claim.