Chicago Bus Accident Statistics

While bus accident statistics can’t capture the full impact of a collision, they offer important insight into the risks on Chicago’s busy streets and transit routes. We’ve seen how bus crashes affect everyday life in our neighborhoods. We stand with you through every step of this process, and we’re here to help you make sense of what the numbers mean for your recovery and your legal options.

Because of the weight and size disparity between a bus and a car, bus-involved crashes often result in serious injuries for people in smaller vehicles. Many crashes happen when other drivers ignore a school bus’s stop arm, endangering school bus passengers as they enter or exit. Although buses remain among the most regulated vehicles, violations still occur, and they are leading causes of these serious accidents.

How Common Are Bus Crashes in the US?

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, using 2024 data from the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), there were 15,397 crashes involving buses nationwide, leading to 14,309 injuries. FMCSA’s interactive map shows clear patterns in where the highest volumes of bus crashes occur nationwide.

States With the Most Bus Crashes

Large, high-traffic states with extensive transit systems reported the highest crash numbers:

• Florida: 1,220 crashes, 1,079 injuries
• Texas: 1,200 crashes, 1,047 injuries
• New York: 1,024 crashes, 1,762 injuries
• California: 971 crashes, 751 injuries
• Ohio: 958 crashes, 795 injuries
• Illinois: 839 crashes, 883 injuries
• New Jersey: 806 crashes, 771 injuries
• North Carolina: 701 crashes, 1,079 injuries
• Pennsylvania: 626 crashes, 526 injuries
• Georgia: 615 crashes, 578 injuries

States With the Fewest Bus Crashes

Smaller or more rural states reported the lowest crash totals:

• Alaska: 0 crashes, 0 injuries
• New Mexico: 2 crashes, 2 injuries
• Vermont: 5 crashes, 1 injury
• Alabama: 12 crashes, 15 injuries
• North Dakota: 17 crashes, 4 injuries
• Wyoming: 18 crashes, 22 injuries
• Montana: 19 crashes, 9 injuries
• South Dakota: 25 crashes, 0 injuries
• New Hampshire: 26 crashes, 3 injuries
• Nebraska: 47 crashes, 22 injuries

Illinois Bus Accident Statistics

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s most recent 2023 Illinois Crash Facts & Statistics report, and excluding school transit, there were 3,150 bus accidents statewide. These collisions resulted in 558 injured people, including 34 severely injured vehicle occupants. Statewide crash data includes full-size transit buses, charter coaches, and van-based buses, each contributing to the total number of bus involved collisions.

Cook County Bus Accident Statistics

Based on the most recent Illinois Department of Transportation’s 2023 Cook County Crash Report (excluding school buses):

• For buses with 9 to 15 seats: there were 883 such vehicles involved in crashes. Of those, 129 vehicles carried injured people, 751 had damage to property, and in total, 134 people were injured.
• For buses over 15 seats: there were 2,263 vehicles implicated in crashes. Among them, 389 had injury crashes, 1,867 damaged to property, and in total 420 people were injured.

Chicago Bus Accident Statistics

The Illinois Department of Transportation’s most recent 2023 City of Chicago Crash Report (excluding school buses) shows:

• For buses with 9 to 15 seats: there were 643 such vehicles involved in crashes. Of these, 91 had injury-involved crashes (with 92 people injured), and 551 resulted in damage to property.
• For buses over 15 seats: there were 1,862 vehicles implicated in crashes. Among those, 316 vehicle crashes involved injury and 386 people were injured. A total of 1,540 crashes resulted in damage to property.

How Many People Are Fatally Injured in Bus Accidents in the US?

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, using 2024 data from the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), there were 15,397 bus accidents nationwide, including 247 fatalities.

Ten states account for more than half of all bus-related deaths nationwide:

• California: 29 fatalities
• Florida: 27 fatalities
• Texas: 21 fatalities
• New York: 15 fatalities
• Pennsylvania: 12 fatalities
• Illinois: 10 fatalities
• Arizona: 10 fatalities
• Georgia: 10 fatalities
• Ohio: 10 fatalities
• New Jersey: 9 fatalities

Ten jurisdictions reported zero fatalities from bus accidents:

• Alaska
• District of Columbia
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

Fatal Crashes Involving Buses in Illinois

According to IDOT’s 2023 Crash Facts & Statistics report (excluding school transit), Illinois had 3,150 total bus accidents statewide. Among those, there were 11 fatalities involving buses, resulting in 5 killed bus occupants. Collisions between transit buses and passenger vehicles often result in severe injuries due to the extreme size disparity, especially while ignoring safety precautions like using seat belts.

Fatal Collisions Involving Buses in Cook County

Based on IDOT’s 2023 Cook County Crash Report, and excluding school buses, Cook County experienced fatal bus collisions across both small-capacity and large-capacity buses.

For buses with 9 to 15 seats, there were 883 total bus accidents, including 3 fatalities, with no bus occupants killed. For buses over 15 seats, the county recorded 2,263 total bus accidents. Of these, 7 were fatal crashes, and 1 bus occupant was killed.

Fatal Bus Accidents in Chicago

IDOT’s 2023 City of Chicago Crash Report, and excluding school buses, fatal bus accidents remain a real concern within the city’s dense and highly traveled road network.

For buses with 9 to 15 seats, Chicago recorded 643 total bus accidents in 2023. Among these, 1 was a fatal crash, and no bus occupants were killed. For buses over 15 seats, the city documented 1,862 total bus accidents. Of those, 6 were fatalities, resulting in 1 killed bus occupant.

How Common Are Accidents Involving School Bus Drivers?

National NHTSA data shows that school-transportation-related crashes are rare but serious. From 2014–2023, there were 352,104 fatal motor vehicle crashes, and only 971 (0.3%) involved school transportation. These crashes caused 1,079 deaths, averaging 108 per year, with 19% (209) involving school-age children.

Only 10% of fatalities were occupants of school transportation vehicles, while 20% were nonoccupants (pedestrians, pedalcyclists, others). Most deaths (70%) were occupants of other vehicles. Among the 113 school transportation occupants killed, 48 were drivers and 65 were passengers. Pedestrians faced higher risk, with 171 deaths, 1.5 times the number of bus-occupant fatalities.

Age patterns show that 13% of bus occupants killed were 5–10 years old, and 66% were 19+. Among pedestrians, 23% were 5–10, and 53% were 19+.

Across the decade, 209 school-age children were killed:

• 38 school bus occupants
• 83 occupants of other vehicles
• 79 pedestrians
• 6 pedalcyclists
• 3 other nonoccupants

Most occurred during school travel times: 7:00–7:59 a.m. and 3:00–3:59 p.m. Finally, 46% of school-transportation-related fatal crashes happened in rural areas.

Illinois School Bus Accident Statistics

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s 2023 Illinois Crash Facts & Statistics report, there were 1,026 school bus crashes reported statewide. These incidents made up less than 1% of all Illinois crashes in 2023. No school-age passengers were killed, but 78 children were injured, including 6 severely. School bus drivers suffered 40 injuries with 1 severe injury, and school-age pedestrians experienced 1 fatality and 1 severe injury.

IDOT also recorded a sharp increase in injury-related school bus crashes: injury-related crashes rose 39.7%, from 126 in 2022 to 176 in 2023. Total injuries increased 17.2%, and 9.2% of all injuries were classified as severe.

A breakdown of the figures including all participants in a bus accident shows:

• Total crashes: 1,026
• Fatal crashes: 2
• Injury crashes: 176
• Severe injury crashes: 21
• Material damage crashes: 848

Most school bus crashes occurred in urban areas, with 666 crashes, including 2 fatal and 15 severe injury accidents. Rural regions saw fewer incidents, with 359 crashes, 0 fatal, and 6 severe injury accidents.

Cook County School Bus Accident Statistics

According to the IDOT’s 2023 Cook County Crash Report, school-zone incidents involving school buses continue to impact children and families across the county. In school zones alone, Cook County recorded 45 total crashes involving school buses. None of these incidents were fatal, but 15 crashes resulted in injuries, and 30 led to material damage. In total, 84 vehicles were involved, and 17 people were injured.

Chicago School Bus Accident Statistics

According to the IDOT’s 2023 City of Chicago Crash Report, school-zone crashes involving school buses continue to pose risks for children and families across the city. There were 32 total school-zone crashes involving school buses in Chicago. None of these incidents were fatal, but 9 crashes resulted in injuries, and 23 involved property damage. In total, 61 vehicles were involved, and 11 people were injured.

Chicago also recorded multiple cases where school children were harmed while entering, leaving, or crossing near a school bus, moments when students are most vulnerable to being struck by other vehicles making an illegal passing. These incidents resulted in injuries to:

• One 9-year-old female child
• One female child aged 10–14
• One 17-year-old male
• One male person of unknown age

What Are Common Bus Safety Violations Leading to Accidents?

When we investigate a bus crash, we look closely at the causes of bus accidents, because many collisions trace back to preventable safety violations. Buses are heavily regulated vehicles, but accidents can still occur when drivers, companies, or other motorists fail to follow basic safety rules.

Common violations and risk factors include:

• Driver fatigue and distracted driving
• Speeding and traffic violations
• Inadequate driver training or supervision
• Poor bus maintenance
• Reckless actions by other motorists
• Hazardous road or weather conditions
• Unsafe bus stops or loading zones

What Are Injured Victims’ Legal Options Following a Bus Crash in Chicago?

In Chicago, injured victims have the right to pursue legal action against all of the parties responsible for the collision. We help our clients understand who may be liable, what evidence is needed, and how to move forward with a claim.

What Damages Can People Injured in Bus Accidents Recover?

Injury victims may be able to file a bus accident claim to recover damages. The types of compensation available typically fall into three categories:

Economic Damages

• Medical bills and future medical care
• Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity
• Rehabilitation costs
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Loss of normal life or disability
• Scarring or disfigurement

Punitive Damages

These may apply in rare cases involving reckless or grossly negligent conduct.

How Much Time Do People Injured in Bus Accidents Have to Pursue Legal Action?

Illinois imposes strict deadlines for filing a bus accident lawsuit, and missing these time limits can prevent victims from recovering compensation. The applicable statutes include:

• 735 ILCS 5/13-202 (Illinois Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury): Adults generally have two years from the date of the bus crash to file a lawsuit.
• 735 ILCS 5/13-211 (Minors): When the injured person is a minor, the statute of limitations is tolled until age 18, meaning the child typically has two years from their 18th birthday to file.
• 740 ILCS 180/ (Wrongful Death Act): Families generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim, unless the incident involved particularly egregious behavior, in which case the time limit is extended to five years.

It’s also important to understand that private and public bus accidents are handled differently. Claims involving government entities, such as CTA, Pace, Metra, or a public school district, are subject to additional restrictions under the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/). These cases often require shorter notice deadlines (one year), special procedures, and strict compliance with statutory requirements.

Because these timelines and rules can be confusing, our Chicago bus accident lawyer can help our clients identify the correct statute, meet all deadlines, and protect their right to pursue justice after a bus crash.

Book a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one was injured in a bus crash, we’re here to guide you through every step of the legal process. As your dedicated Chicago motor vehicle accident lawyer team, we investigate the crash, gather evidence, identify all liable parties, and advocate for your rights throughout your case.

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and no attorney fees unless we win compensation for you. If you’re ready to learn more, contact us for a free consultation so you can understand your options without pressure.