Illinois Bus Accident FAQ's

Deficient bus driver training or improper hiring practices can put a driver behind the wheel of a bus who is not prepared to handle every problem that can arise on the roadway. Poorly maintained buses can also create a serious problem if the driver is operating a malfunctioning vehicle. Other times, the road could be slippery or in disrepair, or another motorist could cross the bus’s path, causing a sudden stop and unavoidable collision.

The sheer weight and size of a bus and lack of access to seatbelts often produce devastating injuries and even death when a bus crashes. The most common types of buses involved in accidents resulting from driver error or other factors include:

• School buses—Any collision involving a school bus can be catastrophic when children are seriously injured or killed. Unfortunately, most school buses in America are not equipped with seatbelts to strap children in safely on their way to and from school, sporting events, and other extracurricular trips outside their classrooms. Also, there might be state laws immunizing the school district or county from a lawsuit. However, others could share liability including the bus driver, maintenance company, roadway crews, bus manufacturer, or parts maker.
• City buses such as those in the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Pace suburban public transit systems. See our FAQ page about the special issues involved in seeking compensation from publicly owned bus companies.
• Commercial carriers—Greyhound and other bus companies operate as interstate commercial carriers transporting passengers long distances. Many passengers board these vehicles believing they are safe. Passengers freely move around the interior of the bus while it is moving and can suffer an injury if the driver quickly changes lanes, makes a sharp turn, or slams on the brakes. Many commercial carrier accidents are the result of driver mistake or erratic passenger behavior, tire blowout, mechanical failure, inclement weather, or speeding when the driver is attempting to keep an unrealistic schedule, causing the bus to overturn or collide with other vehicles.
• Coach/touring buses— Nearly all privately operated charter buses are owned by large companies that have an enormous fleet of vehicles that are usually maintained by the parent corporation.
• Regional transportation buses to the suburbs and rural areas