Children who go to school by bus are always at risk of accidents. Although some children have managed to travel safely till now, not everyone is as lucky. The physical pain and mental suffering a child endures after a school bus accident is beyond imagination.
That’s why our school bus accident lawyer in Chicago is here to protect your child’s rights. We investigate and fight till your child receives the compensation they deserve for their suffering.
Our School Bus Accident Lawyers Supports Victims With The Legal Process
We have handled children who fear leaving their homes because of the trauma they faced due to school bus accidents. Alongside the mental stress for children and parents, there are also high medical costs to bear.
Chicago Injury Lawyer is by your side in such an unwanted situation. We will gather all the evidence and look into the matter to defend your child’s legal rights and claims.
Investigation
Our reliable school bus accident lawyers will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and do everything to conduct a detailed investigation. Regarding your child’s legal rights, we will not leave any stone unturned to bring justice.
Effective Negotiation
The personal injury attorneys at our law firm know how to negotiate effectively to seek fair compensation. We will ensure insurance companies and other liable parties cover your child’s medical expenses, injuries, and other damages.
Legal Advice
Book a free appointment if you need guidance on the legal process. We will help you understand your rights and available options. Our accident lawyer in Chicago will also update you on your child’s case progress.
Litigation
We aim to ensure your child is well compensated for their horrible experience. However, if we proper compensation is not given to them, we will take your case to court. We will advocate for your legal rights before a judge until you get what you are entitled to.
School Bus Accident Claims That We Deal With
We have dealt with many school bus accident claims in Chicago. Our personal injury attorneys work hard and investigate every single case. Amongst the many claims, these are the common ones we deal with:
- Personal injury claims
- Medical expense claims
- Negligence claims
- Wrongful death claims in case the child dies.
Leading Reasons for School Bus Accidents
Over the years, the number of school bus accident victims we have dealt with has been unexpected. Some of the causes of school bus accidents are so frightening that the children develop anxiety while describing the events.
We have put together common causes of school bus accidents in Chicago:
1. Brake failure- mechanical problems like brake failures often cause school buses to crash or go off-road. The impact of a brake failure can leave children severely injured or even cause death.
2. Excessive speed—School bus drivers often drive at a fast speed. One reason could be to ensure the children reach school on time. Unfortunately, major bus accidents have occurred due to reckless driving and speed.
3. Bad weather conditions—Weather conditions, such as icy roads, are risky as they could cause vehicles to slip or not drive slowly. When it rains hard, school bus drivers often cannot see through the windshield properly, which may cause them to lose control of the bus and crash.
4. Use of cell phones while driving—School bus drivers in Chicago are prohibited from using cell phones on the road. Doing so can distract the driver, causing them to lose control of the wheel and cause major accidents.
5. Unqualified drivers—If an unqualified driver is in charge of a bus full of schoolchildren, then every life is at risk. Drivers who lack experience often don’t know the speed at which a school bus should be driven or the measures to take in case of an emergency.
Typical Injuries That School Bus Accident Victims Suffer From
A child who has been in a school bus accident can be affected physically and mentally for the rest of their lives. Not only does the child go through unbearable pain, but the parents also suffer from mental stress.
Here are some common injuries that school bus accident victims suffer from
1. Head Injuries
Head injuries such as traumatic brain injuries and concussions are common for children who are in school bus accidents. These injuries usually create severe complications, which could be life-threatening.
2. Back Injuries
School bus accidents can result in children suffering from back injuries. Some children hurt their spinal cord, which affects their back. Other school bus accident victims could face broken bones that include fractures in the arms, legs, or hands.
3. Neck Injuries
Neck injuries often occur when the school bus accident is severe. Usually, when one vehicle collides with another, the victims suffer from neck injury.
4. Internal Injury
Internal injuries such as internal bleeding and kidney or liver damage are the types of internal injuries school bus accident victims could be in danger of.
Who Is Responsible For School Bus Accidents?
The first thing parents want to know after their child has been involved in an accident is who is responsible. Our Chicago school bus accident lawyers use their knowledge and expertise to determine who is accountable for such misfortune.
Honestly, it’s not the driver who is always at fault, as we have discussed:
1. Bus Driver– most school bus accidents occur because of the driver’s fault. Speeding and not following traffic rules are some reasons why drivers cause accidents.
2. Bus Company—Some bus companies do not inspect and check the vehicles for safety issues. This is another reason accidents occur, which could harm your child.
3. School District—School districts must prioritize the safety of children. We have dealt with cases where the school district was found negligent because it hired an inexperienced bus driver who caused accidents.
4. Bus Manufacturer—If the school bus had faulty parts that caused the accident, the bus manufacturer should be held responsible.
School Bus Accident Compensation You Can Claim
Our compassionate school bus accident lawyer knows how heartbreaking it is for a child to go through such a tragedy. We’ve handled similar cases and have claimed fair compensation for the victims by fighting for their legal rights.
Here is school bus accident compensation you can claim:
1. Comparative Negligence Claims
The comparative negligence (735 ILCS 5/2-1116) act states that an injured victim can only receive compensation if their fault is less than 50% of the injuries they are suffering from.
2. Personal Injury Claims
According to the Personal Injury Claims Act (735 ILCS 5/13-202), if your child suffered injuries in a school bus accident, you should make a claim within two years of the incident occurring.
3. Wrongful Death Claims
If a school bus accident victim dies, then their family can claim compensation according to the Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/2).
This act states that the deceased victim’s family members need to file a lawsuit within two years of the accident to claim compensation for the damages and sufferings.
Immediate Steps To Take After Your Child’s School Bus Accident
When you find out that your child has been in a school bus accident, it’s evident that your mental state becomes imbalanced. However, staying strong and doing everything possible to protect your child’s legal rights is essential.
After your child receives medical care and feels better, the next step is to take legal action for the trauma caused by the accident. Here are the immediate steps you must take after an accident:
- Seek medical attention to get injuries treated if there are any. Getting checked out by professionals will also help to rule out any internal damages caused by the accident.
- Gather all the evidence you can. Try to take photos of the place where the school bus accident occurred. Also, talk to witnesses and note anything important you see.
- Contact the police and school authorities to report the accident. Doing so will let the police investigate the crime scene, making it easy to discover who is responsible.
- Keep a record of your medical bills, such as treatment and medication costs. This will be useful when you seek medical expense compensation.
- Hire our school bus accident lawyer, who will protect your child’s legal rights at any cost. We will look at all the evidence and talk to witnesses to gather information so your child gets the compensation they deserve.
School Bus Accident Statistics
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), these are the 2022 school bus accident statistics.
- In 2022, 903 crashes involved school buses.
- 83 school children were injured in the school bus accidents in 2022. No school bus passengers were killed.
- 28 school bus drivers were injured. No drivers lost their lives.
- School bus accidents increased by 27.3%, from 99 in 2021 to 126 in 2022.
- The number of injuries also increased from 2021 to 2022 by 33%
School Bus Crashes 2022:
| Type Of Crash | Number |
| A-Injury Crashes | 17 |
| Injury Crashes | 126 |
| Rural Crashes | 345 |
| Urban Crashes | 557 |
| Property Damage Crashes | 773 |
| Fatal Crashes | 4 |
| Total Crashes | 903 |
Reasons To Hire Skilled School Bus Accident Lawyers Like Us
Chicago Injury Lawyer knows that results matter. Our reliable school bus injury attorney will listen to your case carefully and recommend the legal options that will benefit you. Here are reasons why you should hire us:
Expertise
Our top-rated school bus accident attorneys have the skills and experience to handle such cases. We apply the most effective strategies to determine who is responsible.
The personal injury lawyers at our firm have in-depth knowledge of traffic laws, personal injury, and claims. This knowledge helps us deal with your case more easily, as we can tell you what to expect.
Results
Our lawyers have proven records of winning accident injury cases. We are also known for obtaining some of the highest compensation claims in Chicago.
We understand the suffering and pain you and your child have endured. This is why, when we start working on a case, our primary focus is to achieve a positive outcome. We know that results matter when seeking justice for your child.
Facing Court
Even if we have to present you in court, we will do it with dedication to protect your child’s legal rights. Our accident injury attorneys have courtroom experience that is good enough to win any case.
Skilled school bus accident lawyers like us can assure you that you will be well compensated. We have a reputation for fighting until we get a fair settlement, and our law firm is well-recognized in Chicago.
Get A Free Consultation Today!
If your child is suffering from injuries and trauma from a school bus accident, we are here to help. Book a free consultation with our school bus accident lawyer at Chicago Injury Lawyer. Let us help you claim the compensation you and your child deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I seek help from a lawyer after my child experiences a school bus accident?
A school bus accident lawyer will assist you with the legal process to protect your child’s rights. They will help you to claim fair compensation to recover from your losses.
2. What if the school bus accident occurred due to the vehicle having mechanical defects?
If a school bus accident occurs due to faulty parts in the vehicle, the bus company will be held responsible. An accident injury attorney will investigate the case and apply for compensation.
3. Will I have to face trial for the school bus accident injury my child suffered from?
Sometimes, a fair settlement for the school bus accident is not reached between your personal injury attorney and the responsible parties. If this happens, you will have to face a trial where the judge decides on the verdict.
