Bus Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one has suffered a bus injury, contact us so we can help you determine the best options for recovery. Our award-winning, nationally recognized law firm has decades of experience representing all types of personal injury and bus accident cases. Since 1984, we have obtained more than $2 billion on behalf of our clients.
If you need a bus accident lawyer, you have likely found yourself wondering “How do I choose the right one?” The answer – choose Clifford Law Offices. Our firm is routinely ranked as one of the top Chicago law firms, and we have been included on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Law Firms.
We help bus accident victims nationwide.
Greyhound Bus Accident in Downstate Illinois Kills Three and Injures at Least 14 Others
A Greyhound bus reportedly struck several trucks parked at a rest stop on the morning of July 12, 2023 in downstate Illinois, killing three people and injuring at least 14 more, some who had to be airlifted to area hospitals.
The crash slashed open the side of the bus and its roof caved in when it struck the truck on an exit ramp to a rest area near Hamilton, Illinois. One of the truck drivers told reporters that he helped put out an ensuing fire on the bus then helped passengers out of the broken windows.
“Clifford Law Offices has handled a number of bus crashes over the years that resulted in tragic consequences, such as the one early this morning in downstate Illinois,” said Kevin P. Durkin, partner at Clifford Law Offices who obtained a verdict with Robert A. Clifford in downstate Madison County. “In bus crashes, it is important to seek the top experts to determine what occurred – that includes bus operational experts as well as bus mechanical experts and bus safety experts.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is sending a go-to team to the scene to investigate the cause of this tragic bus incident. Illinois State Police responded to the tragedy on an I-70 exit ramp to the Silver Lake rest stop in Madison County, about 25 miles east of St. Louis.
“Greyhound is a common carrier and, therefore, it owes the highest duty of care to its passengers,” Durkin continued. “There are rules and regulations in Illinois as well as federal laws that guide what bus companies and their drivers need to do to ensure that their passengers receive this highest duty of care. Much needs to be examined to get to the bottom of what happened here and why.”
The bus was traveling about 1:55 a.m. en route from Indianapolis, Indiana, to St. Louis, Missouri, when it crashed in downstate Madison County. It was reported that the bus was carrying about 30 people.
Common Carriers vs. Public Transportation and Government Entities
Many residents rely on buses to get around the city, and others may purchase tickets on private bus companies for longer trips. When a company offers transportation to the public as a paid service, the company falls under common carrier law. Drivers for common carriers have a higher duty of care on the road compared to individual drivers and have a responsibility to prevent injuries to paying passengers.
A common carrier has a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent injuries to passengers. When a bus accident happens, an injured victim may have several options for legal recourse. Most successful lawsuits against common carriers arise from negligence or intentional acts that injure passengers. Similar to any other personal injury claim, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant was negligent in some way that directly led to the plaintiff’s claimed damages. Common carrier employers are liable for the negligence of their employees and must properly vet applicants and train new hires appropriately to avoid liability. The first step is determining who the responsible party is. If a private company or a private company’s employee causes a bus accident due to negligence, the victim can pursue damages in a civil claim.
However, if the vehicle falls under the jurisdiction of a government entity or the state, the conditions for taking legal action are more restrictive but compensation is still possible.
There is a much shorter statute of limitations, or time limit, for filing a lawsuit against a government agency or entity. For a typical personal injury claim in Illinois, the statute of limitation is two years from the date an injury occurs. If the victim needs to take legal action against a government entity, the statute of limitations could be as little as six months or even shorter.
Damages and Compensation in a Bus Accident Lawsuit
A bus accident can cause catastrophic injuries such as bone fractures, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and crushing wounds. A plaintiff can seek compensation for all medical expenses resulting from a negligent accident as well as lost income if his or her recovery requires missing work. If the plaintiff’s injuries are severe enough to prevent the victim from working in the future, he or she can claim lost earning potential in a lawsuit.
A plaintiff may also receive compensation for pain and suffering. If a bus accident results in painful wounds that require extensive recovery time, long-term care, or results in permanent disability, the plaintiff may receive compensation for his or her physical pain, emotional suffering, and psychological anguish. If the defendant’s behavior was grossly negligent, intentionally dangerous, or otherwise showed a clear disregard for the safety and welfare of others, the plaintiff may receive punitive damages as well.
Depending on whether the defendant is a private individual, company, or publicly operated transit service, the plaintiff may face several restrictions in terms of available compensation. For example, a lawsuit against a government entity may limit the non-economic damages a plaintiff can receive for a bus accident claim.
Clients in situations just like yours have come to us from the Chicagoland area and throughout the nation because when you hire us:
- You always have an experienced lawyer on your case.
- You always have an experienced lawyer on your case. Our extensive experience in all kinds of personal injury and wrongful death cases means that we are prepared for all types of situations. We know how to address your case as efficiently as possible and how to maximize the compensation you receive.
- You are treated like family.
- When you retain our services, you become a member of the Clifford Law family. We will fight for you just like we would for our own spouses, children and other family members.
- You receive responsive communication.
- We reply as soon as possible to all calls, emails and other correspondence, and we will take the time to answer any questions that you have.
- Your case will be taken seriously.
- We are well-known by opposing attorneys, who understand that Clifford Law is committed to holding wrongdoers accountable for their actions.
- Your case is in the hands of a firm other lawyers trust.
- Other attorneys routinely send their most complex cases to us, and our peers know us as a trusted resource. When you work with us, you are working with the law firm that other lawyers trust with their most complicated issues.
Contact Us Today
Handling the aftermath of a bus accident without a reliable attorney can be extremely difficult. The attorneys at Clifford Law Offices have more than 30 years of experience handling civil claims for our clients, and we can put our skills, resources, and experience to work in your bus accident lawsuit. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about what to expect from your bus accident claim.
If you would like us to assess your bus accident case and help you understand how our services can benefit your claim, please reach out to us online or call 800-396-1786.