Three Common Questions After a Public Transit Accident in Illinois

 Posted on April 22, 2022 in Bus Accident Injury

Illinois has excellent public transit infrastructure, and commuters and visitors have the option to travel by train or bus all over the state. An unfortunate corollary of great public transit is the accidents that come from having so many vehicles on the road. Although buses and trains are generally very safe modes of transportation, accidents do happen and it is important to know your options if you are involved in a public transit vehicle accident in Illinois.

Was the Driver or Operator at Fault?

The first thing you need to know when determining whether you can take action against a public transit company is whether the accident happened because the driver of the bus or operator of the train was at fault. If you were completely at fault for the accident, you probably do not have a claim; if you were partly at fault for the accident, whether you can successfully sue will depend on how much of the accident was due to the actions of the other driver. Answering these questions and gathering evidence that proves the other driver was at fault often requires the assistance of attorneys or private investigators with experience in these types of accidents.

Can I Recover Damages For My Medical Expenses?

If you have been injured in a bus or train accident, you likely already know many of the ways people suffer after these incidents - in addition to the physical pain, medical treatment, and rehabilitative efforts, wages are often lost, and finding similar future employment may be out of the question. While every case is unique, the good news is that successful lawsuits often do compensate victims of bus crashes and help them pay for their medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit Against a Government Transit Company?

In Illinois, the statute of limitations requires lawsuits for personal injury against private entities to be filed within two years; for government entities, that limit is shortened to only one year. Governments often operate using private contractors, however, so determining the length of the applicable statute of limitations in your case can require some investigation. A public transit injuries lawyer with experience handling cases involving government and private companies can help you gather the necessary information and evidence to start a claim before the statute of limitations runs out.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Illinois Public Transit Injuries Lawyer

Injuries and deaths in public transit accidents are tragically common in Illinois. At Salvi & Maher, LLP, our experienced Illinois public transit injuries attorneys have seen firsthand the impact that accidents with government vehicles can have on clients’ long-term health, employment opportunities, relationships, and more. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an Illinois public transit accident, you can rely on our attorneys to take your case seriously. We have the experience, skill, and resources to conduct a thorough investigation and will pursue all avenues to ensure that if you are entitled to compensation, you will get it. Call us at 847-662-3303 now to schedule your free consultation.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=2062&ChapterID=58