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.

You do not need to sue the friend or family member who booked the party bus to pursue your claim. Compensation typically comes from the bus company’s insurance policy, and our Chicago bus accident lawyers investigate every liable party on your behalf. 

Under Chicago’s municipal code, most party buses operate as public passenger vehicles or licensed charter vehicles, and understanding this classification is often the first step our Chicago party bus accident lawyer team takes when investigating a claim. 

Who Is Liable for a Party Bus Accident?

In most party bus accidents, liability falls on one or more of the following parties: the bus company, the driver, another motorist, or a maintenance provider or manufacturer responsible for a defective part. Learn more about who you can sue after a bus accident, and how our bus accident lawyer team investigates every angle of your case.

• Bus Company — Negligent hiring, training, or maintenance
• Bus Driver — Reckless, distracted, or fatigued driving
• Another Motorist — Caused or contributed to the crash
• Maintenance Provider or Manufacturer — Defective parts or repairs

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 texted 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 the driver made 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?

Party buses are typically run by private charter operators, the same type of companies behind many shuttle bus accident claims, and share several of the same operational risk factors.

Common causes of bus accidents include:

• Fatigue: Private bus companies may push drivers to complete multiple assignments or assign odd hours that don’t allow 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 it to finish their shift sooner.
• Alcohol on Board: Unlike most bus types, party buses typically have alcohol present, and operators may have a duty to prevent visibly intoxicated passengers from putting themselves or others at risk. When a party bus company or driver supplies or over-serves alcohol, this can create additional exposure under Illinois liquor liability rules. Passengers who fall, are pushed, or are ejected from a moving party bus while intoxicated may also have a claim against the operator for failing to secure exits or enforce basic safety rules.

Poor Bus Maintenance

Bus accidents often result from poor maintenance. Federal crash causation research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that vehicle-related problems, including brake issues, contribute to a measurable share of crashes, with brakes representing the largest component within that category. Worn gears, damaged tires, and neglected brake systems can all contribute to serious bus accidents that lead to high medical expenses for victims.

What Is the Average Party Bus Accident Settlement?

Based on an analysis of party bus accident cases handled by our firm, the average settlement is $1,898,311. This average party bus accident settlement figure is skewed upward by a small number of catastrophic cases, and the median outcome for most claims is considerably lower.

Real Party Bus Accident Verdicts and Settlements

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 fixed them. Saraceno’s family received $4,020,000.00 in a mediated settlement.

These catastrophic outcomes, including traumatic brain injury claims, show why a thorough investigation from day one is critical to securing full compensation. 

What Laws Govern Party Bus Crashes in Chicago?

All public vehicles must 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. Separately, for-hire passenger carriers like party bus operators must meet minimum financial responsibility requirements under 49 CFR Part 387, which start at $1,500,000 in liability insurance for vehicles carrying 15 or fewer occupants. 

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). Illinois adopted comparative fault in the 1981 Illinois Supreme Court case Alvis v. Ribar, and the legislature later set the current 50% bar through this statute. 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 settle out of court, we are members of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and have a strong track record at trial.

What Happens if a Party Bus Company Has No Insurance?

If the party bus operator turns out to be unlicensed, uninsured, or underinsured, which is common with small charter companies, we can pursue compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage and separately pursue the vehicle’s owner apart from the operating company. Operating without a proper license or permit can itself serve as evidence of negligence.

Call us today to find out how a party bus accident attorney on our team can help you secure the compensation you deserve. 

As a bus accident law firm handling these cases across Chicago, we typically see party bus accident claims resolve in several months to two years, depending on liability complexity and injury severity, though no two case timelines are the same. 

Motor vehicle accidents are stressful, but you don’t have to go through this alone. You may also wonder; can I sue if I was drinking on a party bus? We are here to help you!

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.

Can I still sue if I was drinking on the party bus?

Yes. Being intoxicated does not automatically bar you from filing a claim. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule (735 ILCS 5/2-1116), meaning you can still recover compensation as long as you are found less than 50% at fault, though your damages may be reduced by your share of responsibility. Party bus operators owe passengers a duty of care regardless of whether alcohol was being consumed on board, and an experienced bus accident attorney can help you understand how fault is calculated in your specific case.

Who pays for injuries on a party bus, the driver or the company?

In most cases, the party bus company’s commercial insurance policy responds first, since employers are typically vicariously liable for a driver’s negligent actions on the job. You may also have a direct claim against the company itself for negligent hiring, training, or maintenance, and against other drivers or maintenance contractors when they contributed to the crash. As explained above, multiple parties can share liability for the same accident.