The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates one of the largest public transportation systems in the nation. Its fleet of nearly 2,000 buses covers approximately 130 routes across Chicago and surrounding suburbs.
Millions rely on this extensive network, which provides a vital service connecting communities throughout the region.
While the CTA strives for safety, the sheer scale of operations in a busy urban environment means that bus accidents unfortunately occur. If a bus injured you or a loved one, the experienced Chicago CTA accident lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. are here to help.
Call today at (312) 924-7575 to discuss your case for a free consultation. Let us fight for you.
High Ridership Underscores Safety Importance
In 2024 alone, CTA buses provided over 181 million rides. Hundreds of thousands of passengers utilize the bus system on an average weekday.
While most trips are completed safely, the constant movement of large buses through congested city streets presents inherent risks. Accidents can and do happen, sometimes resulting in severe injuries or even fatalities.
Who Can Be Injured in a CTA Bus Accident?
Victims of CTA bus accidents can include:
- Bus Passengers: Passengers inside the bus can be thrown about during sudden stops or collisions, especially since buses typically lack seat belts and airbags.
- Occupants of Other Vehicles: Cars, trucks, and motorcycles are significantly smaller and lighter than a CTA bus, and their occupants are vulnerable to severe injuries in a collision.
- Pedestrians: A CTA bus can strike people crossing streets, waiting at bus stops, or simply walking near a route.
- Bicyclists: Cyclists sharing the road or using bike lanes face significant risks when involved in an accident with a large bus.
3 Critical Steps To Take After a CTA Bus Crash
If you’ve already sought medical care, you’re on the right path. Once your immediate health needs have been addressed, taking the following steps promptly is crucial for protecting your potential legal claim.
1. Document the Accident
If you haven't already, report the accident to the police and obtain the report number or a copy. For passengers, confirm that the CTA operator or a supervisor has your contact details and knows you were involved, noting the bus number and route if possible.
Evidence can disappear quickly, so capture what you can while it's fresh. If your condition allows, take photos or videos of the accident scene, including damage to all vehicles involved, relevant road signs, weather conditions, and any visible injuries.
Write down exactly what happened from your perspective, noting the date, time, location, direction of travel, and the bus number.
2. Preserve All Related Evidence
Keep meticulous records of everything connected to the accident, including all medical bills and records, receipts for prescriptions or accident-related transportation, photos you took, and any letters or emails from the CTA.
Also, keep track of any time missed from work due to your injuries.
3. Contact a CTA Bus Accident Lawyer Immediately
Consult a lawyer before giving any detailed or recorded statements to CTA representatives or their adjusters. An attorney needs sufficient time to investigate and prepare your claim.
Your CTA bus accident lawyer will protect your rights, handle communications with the CTA, and work to build the strongest case possible while you focus on recovery.
Determining Liability in a CTA Bus Accident
Determining fault can be complex, as multiple parties might share responsibility. A thorough investigation is often necessary to establish liability.
The CTA Bus Driver
Professional drivers operating large vehicles like buses are held to a high standard of care. Bus drivers can be held liable for accidents caused by their negligence, which can manifest in various ways.
Driver negligence is a common cause of bus accidents and can involve issues such as:
- Distracted Driving: Using a phone, eating, or engaging in other non-driving tasks
- Fatigue or Exhaustion: Driving while overly tired, potentially violating hours-of-service regulations
- Recklessness: Speeding, running red lights, making improper lane changes, or driving aggressively
- Intoxication: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Improper Training: Failing to operate the bus safely according to established procedures
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
As the entity operating the bus service, the CTA itself can be held liable under several circumstances:
- Vicarious Liability: Generally, employers like the CTA can be held responsible for the negligent actions of their employees (the drivers) performed within the scope of their employment.
- Negligent Hiring/Training/Supervision: The CTA may be liable if it failed to adequately screen, train, or supervise its drivers, leading to the accident.
- Improper Maintenance: If the accident was caused by poorly maintained brakes, tires, steering, or other essential systems due to the CTA's negligence, the agency can be held liable.
Bus Manufacturers or Parts Suppliers
In some cases, the accident may not be due to driver error or poor maintenance but rather a flaw in the vehicle itself. Bus manufacturers can be held liable if a bus accident is caused by defective parts or poor manufacturing.
This could involve flaws in the design or manufacturing of critical components like brakes, tires, or steering systems.
Other Third Parties
Sometimes, the actions of another driver (a car cutting off the bus), a government entity responsible for road design or maintenance (if hazardous road conditions contributed), or even a negligent pedestrian could contribute to the accident.
Identifying potentially liable parties and proving their specific fault requires careful investigation, evidence gathering, and understanding applicable laws and regulations.
An experienced CTA bus accident lawyer can analyze the circumstances of your crash to determine who should be held accountable for your injuries.
Understanding Compensation in CTA Bus Accident Claims
Being injured in a CTA bus accident often leads to significant physical, emotional, and financial hardships. Illinois law allows victims to seek financial compensation, known as damages, from the parties responsible for the accident.
You might be compensated for:
- Medical Expenses: Costs for emergency transport, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, medication, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and any anticipated future medical care related to the injury
- Lost Wages: Compensation for lost wages and future earnings due to the accident.
- Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace your vehicle or other personal property damaged in the crash
- Other Out-of-Pocket Costs: Expenses like transportation to medical appointments or necessary modifications to your home
- Pain and Suffering: Payment for physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and general suffering caused by the injuries
- Disability or Physical Impairment: Compensation for permanent limitations resulting from the injuries
- Disfigurement: Compensation for scarring or other permanent changes to physical appearance
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to participate in hobbies, activities, or aspects of daily life enjoyed before the accident
Why You Need an Experienced CTA Bus Accident Lawyer for Your Claim
While you focus on recovery, a CTA bus accident lawyer can help protect your rights and fight for compensation.
Here's how experienced legal representation can assist:
Complexity and Multiple Parties
Bus accident claims, particularly those involving a large entity like the CTA, are often far more complex than typical car accidents.
Multiple parties may be potentially at fault, including the bus driver, the CTA itself (as the owner/operator responsible for training and maintenance), maintenance contractors, or even other negligent drivers involved in the collision.
A CTA bus accident lawyer can navigate the intricate legal considerations to determine who is liable and should be held accountable.
Gathering Evidence
Building a strong case requires compelling evidence. Experienced Chicago attorneys know exactly what to look for and how to obtain it.
A CTA bus accident lawyer can collect police reports, witness statements, bus maintenance logs, driver employment and training records, data from the bus's event recorder ("black box"), and surveillance footage from the bus or nearby sources.
Critical evidence disappears quickly after bus accidents, but seeking legal consultation immediately is the first step to preserving this vital evidence.
Navigating Specific Procedural Requirements
Claims against government entities like the CTA are subject to specific rules and stricter deadlines than claims against private individuals or companies. Missing the deadline or failing to follow specific notice requirements can permanently bar your claim.
Protection From Insurance Companies and CTA Representatives
After an accident, CTA representatives or insurance adjusters may contact you. Consult a lawyer before discussing details, giving recorded statements, or signing any documents these parties offer.
Their goal is often to minimize the payout for the claim. Your attorney is your advocate, handling these communications and protecting you from tactics that could undermine your case.
Strengthening Your Case
Ultimately, your lawyer's role is to leverage their knowledge and the gathered evidence to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
They’ll identify all liable parties, accurately calculate the full extent of your damages (including medical costs, lost wages, future expenses, pain and suffering), and fight to secure the maximum compensation.
Working with an experienced CTA bus accident lawyer lets you focus on your recovery while ensuring your legal rights are vigorously pursued.
Frequently Asked Questions About CTA Bus Accidents
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a CTA Bus Accident?
For personal injury claims against the Chicago Transit Authority, you generally have only one year from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this one-year deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation permanently.
What Happens if I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident? Can I Still Recover Compensation?
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident, as long as your share of the fault is determined to be less than 50%.
However, your total compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
How Much Compensation Can I Expect To Receive for My Injuries?
The value of a CTA bus accident claim varies significantly based on the unique circumstances of each case. There is no fixed amount.
Factors that influence the potential compensation include:
- The severity and permanence of your injuries
- Total medical expenses (past and future)
- Amount of lost wages and impact on future earning capacity
- The extent of your pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- The clarity of liability (who was at fault)
- The strength of the evidence gathered
Contact a CTA Bus Accident Lawyer at Abels & Annes, P.C.
Every victim has the right to consult and work with a personal injury attorney in their case. If you have been in a collision with a CTA bus and are hurt, know the lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. are standing by to help you.
Call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, toll-free at (312) 924-7575. When you call, a CTA bus accident lawyer will give you a no-cost, no-obligation case consultation. If you prefer, contact us online to discuss your claim.
Let us fight for you.