Public Transportation Accident Lawyer | Bus Accident Lawyer

The Chicago car accident attorneys at Phillips Law Offices strive to obtain justice and compensation for clients injured in public transportation accidents for more than 75 years. This includes collisions involving many different vehicle types, including:

The statistics on injuries and deaths caused by accidents involving public transportation vehicles are breathtaking and troubling. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

At Phillips Law Offices, our years of success on behalf of clients rest on two critical things:

Personal injury lawyers are ones that deal primarily with accident and injury cases involving individuals who are injured or even killed due to the negligence of another person, recklessness or actions. Companies and municipalities can also be found liable for this type of civil lawsuit.

Personal injury cases can also involve a situation where the victim is injured due to a malfunction, defect, or other flaws in a product, vehicle, or even medication. In these cases, the manufacturer or operator can be held liable. In cases where a personal injury case turns fatal, the case will typically proceed as a wrongful death lawsuit. This is the key distinction between a case involving personal injury vs. wrongful death.

When filing a personal injury lawsuit following a bus accident or other public transportation accident, your attorney will work with you to calculate a sum that you will seek in a lawsuit or settlement. This figure includes many different expenses, including:

For those who will suffer lifelong effects from the injury, your attorney may work with experts who can help calculate future expenses — a task that can be challenging since the cost of living (and the costs of goods and services) evolve and change with time.

Whether the jury awards you a sum at trial or if you settle out of court, you can generally expect that there will be some discussion concerning the payment arrangements. If you reached an out-of-court settlement, the matter is typically reported to the court, and an order of settlement is issued. The paperwork must typically be completed within 30 to 60 days (the timeframe varies according to location.) Once this paperwork is complete, the other side’s attorney will prepare a release form, essentially outlining the terms of the settlement and releasing the other party from any further liability. In some cases, your attorney may agree to the release or your attorney may object. There are cases where the release is the subject of significant negotiation until both sides arrive at an agreeable rendition of the form.

Before disbursing personal injury settlements and judgments,  it is customary to tend to medical bills, legal bills, and other lien holders first. Once these debts are satisfied, the victim will receive their funds. This can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

On occasion, you may encounter a situation where a defendant pays the settlement installments, although this is relatively rare, particularly involving public transportation accident lawsuits, whereby the liable party is a transportation agency and their insurance company.

It should be noted that if you received a jury award at trial, there will likely be a delay if the other side opts to file an appeal — a common course of action. It could be as long as one to two years before a victim receives the funds, assuming the jury’s verdict is upheld.

Establishing liability and evaluating the circumstances of an accident and its aftermath are why you need accident lawyers with experience in motor vehicle accident law, supported by a team of experts to establish the full extent of your damages.

We work with experts in a number of different areas, including:

The stresses of being injured in a transportation accident can be overwhelming. Phillips Law Offices want you to know that you do not have to face this alone. A lawyer with our law firm will work with you directly, helping you recover compensation for your current and expected losses, so you can concentrate on recovering your physical and emotional health.

Common causes of bus accidents in Chicago include:

• Driver error: Such as speeding, reckless driving, or distracted driving.
• Poor maintenance: If the bus is not properly maintained, it can lead to mechanical failures.
• Bad weather conditions: Rain, snow, or ice can make roads slippery and increase the chances of an accident.
• Faulty equipment: Malfunctioning brakes, tires, or other equipment can cause accidents.
• Traffic violations: Running red lights, illegal turns, or failing to yield can lead to accidents involving buses.

Determining who is responsible for a bus accident in Chicago depends on the specific circumstances of the accident.

• Bus driver: If the driver was negligent or made a mistake, they could be responsible.
• Bus company: The company that owns the bus may be responsible if they didn’t properly train the driver or maintain the bus.
• Other drivers: Sometimes, another driver’s actions can cause a bus accident.
• Government entity: If road conditions or signage contributed to the accident, the government entity responsible for road maintenance could be held liable.

You should hire a bus accident attorney in Chicago if you’ve been injured in a bus accident and it wasn’t your fault. Here are some situations when you should consider hiring a bus accident attorney:

1. Serious injuries: If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a bus accident, you may be facing high medical bills and long-term care. An attorney can help you get the compensation you need to cover these costs.

2. Wrongful death: If you’ve lost a loved one in a bus accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your loss. An attorney can help you file a wrongful death claim and seek justice for your loved one.

3. Disputes with insurance companies: Dealing with insurance companies can be complicated and frustrating. An attorney can handle communications with the insurance company on your behalf and make sure you get the full compensation you deserve.

4. Determining liability: In some cases, multiple parties may be responsible for a bus accident, including the bus driver, the bus company, other drivers, or even government entities responsible for road maintenance. An attorney can investigate the accident and determine who is liable for your injuries.

Our Chicago bus accident attorney can help you in many ways if you’ve been injured in a bus accident. They can:

• Investigate: We’ll investigate the accident to determine who was at fault and gather evidence to support your claim.
• Handle insurance companies: We’ll deal with the insurance companies on your behalf, making sure you get the full compensation you deserve.
• File a claim: Our lawyer will help you file a legal claim and guide you through the legal process.
• Negotiate settlements: We will negotiate with the responsible parties to try to reach a fair settlement.
• Go to court: If necessary, our public transport accident lawyer in Chicago represent you in court and fight for your rights.

Your life has been shattered, possibly permanently altered, and you should never have to settle for less than you deserve. From offices in Chicago car accident attorneys of Phillips Law Offices offer the highest quality legal services to those who are injured, along with their families in Illinois and the United States. Trust your case to the car accident lawyers at one of the most well-known law firms located in the Midwest. Call (312) 346-4262 for more information. You can also contact us online for a confidential and free evaluation with an attorney.