The last few months have brought accidents that resulted in injuries and even death for both CTA and Pace buses. While bus drivers are trained and expected to operate safely, accidents involving buses and other vehicles can still occur. If you have been injured in an accident involving a bus, either as a passenger or when you were in another vehicle, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries as well as for lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Causes of Bus Accidents and Compensation Available

Accidents involving transit buses as well as school buses tend to grab the headlines, but many other types of buses are also on the road, including charter buses, shuttle buses, and intercity buses like Greyhound or Megabus. There can be many causes of bus accidents. While causes generally overlap with factors in other motor vehicle crashes, there are a few factors that disproportionately impact buses.

• Driver Fatigue – Drivers may be operating on tight schedules over long distances and be vulnerable to fatigue. Fatigued driving increases the risk of a crash and is one of the leading factors in bus accidents.  

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Chicago has an affordable and accessible public transit system made of buses and the famous “L” train lines. While these vehicles are useful and necessary, they are large, numerous, and often in a hurry. Because buses are so much larger than other pedestrians, cyclists, or vehicles in the road, they can present serious dangers when drivers are careless, tired, or distracted. If you have been injured by a Chicago Transit Authority bus, consider meeting with an experienced CTA bus accident attorney to explore your options. 

CTA Bus Crashes Are Surprisingly Common 

A 2015 study seeking to investigate how often CTA buses crash discovered that, on average, a CTA bus is involved in a crash every 36 hours. In addition to crashes with cars in the street, CTA buses also hit pedestrians with their mirrors and sideswipe them on street corners.  While CTA buses are not always at fault in these crashes, these statistics illustrate just how common potentially dangerous interactions with these vehicles are. 

Bus Accidents Can Cause Serious and Life-Threatening Injuries

The sheer size and shape of a bus means that, even when traveling at low speeds, buses present a significant safety hazard. Injuries that are commonly sustained in bus accidents include, but are not limited to: 

Buses operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) are a common sight on the city's roads, but while these vehicles provide an essential service, they also create serious risks for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. The huge difference in size and weight between buses and cars can result in serious injuries for those involved in a CTA bus accident, and people who have been injured should understand their options for pursuing compensation for their damages.

CTA Bus Accident Statistics

While we expect the CTA to operate its vehicles safely and protect passengers, drivers, and others who use the road, the sobering reality is that CTA buses are regularly involved in motor vehicle collisions. In fact, a 2015 investigation by ABC7 News found that buses are involved in an average of one accident every 36 hours. In addition, a 2017 investigation by the Chicago Sun-Times found that over the previous two years, there were more than 500 CTA bus accidents which resulted in more than 1,000 injuries, five deaths, and a cost to taxpayers of $16 million.

The Personal Impact of Bus Accidents

While the statistics about bus accidents in Chicago can be shocking, it is important to remember that they are not just numbers. Each of these incidents represents someone whose life was drastically affected by a motor vehicle collision. At Winters Salzetta O'Brien & Richardson, LLC, we fight for the rights of those who have been harmed by the negligence of bus drivers or the CTA.