It’s back-to-school time and children across Illinois are riding school buses to school, on field trips, and for after-school activities. These buses are transporting our children five days a week, twice a day, frequently in heavy rush-hour traffic. The risk of collisions, accidents, and injuries to our children is considerable. It’s scary.
As an attorney and father, every day I am personally involved in fighting for those who are injured as a result of the negligence of others. Injuries suffered by children in a crash of their school bus can be severe, emotionally and psychologically damaging, physically life-changing, and fatal. It’s heartbreaking!
If your child is injured in a school bus accident as a result of someone’s negligence or a vehicle defect, your child is entitled to compensation for injuries. But, who is liable?
Who Is Liable In Illinois?
School bus accidents may be caused by defects in the bus, defects in other motor vehicles, or the negligence of drivers. Yet, it’s rarely black and white. Liability depends on the negligence and product liability laws of Illinois. It can be very complicated and require unique expert legal skills to sort out the details.
If your child is a victim in a school bus accident, it is important you gain legal representation immediately from an experienced personal injury attorney. Don’t wait.
A knowledgeable and skillful personal injury attorney will ensure your child’s rights are protected. School bus accidents are more complex because they likely involve multiple responsible parties. Be aware of Illinois school bus laws.
- Sometimes the negligence falls on the bus driver – fatigue, busy schedules, new routes, and overloaded buses. Further, distractions, drug, and alcohol use, along with erratic and dangerous driving are causes.
- Other times the negligence rests with poorly maintained buses, improperly installed or maintained seats, brake failure, equipment malfunction, and road conditions.
- Sometimes the owners of the bus company failed to comply with standards including available emergency exists, roof structure, and seating arrangement. Fuel system safety, bus body joint integrity, or insufficient driver training may also be to blame.
- Negligence may even fall on the manufacturer – in the design or manufacturing stage, or as a result of a failure to warn of certain dangers associated with a vehicle’s use.
As a result, the liable parties can include . . . the bus driver . . . maintenance contractors . . . the bus company . . . equipment manufactures . . . other negligent drivers . . . and even government entities and school boards. Additionally, federal and local laws may be involved.
Therefore, determining who is liable so your child receives proper compensation requires a thorough investigation, a comprehensive understanding of the facts, and an appreciation of the impact the accident has had on you and your family. An experienced personal injury attorney will focus on the legal process so you, your child, and your family can concentrate on physical and emotional recovery.
Chicagoland School Bus Accident Attorneys. We Help Victims learn More about Illinois School Bus Laws.
The Attorneys at Friend, Levinson & Turner Law are knowledgeable and expert in representing those who harmed by the negligence or carelessness of others. Claims for victims of tragedies like school bus accidents are complex and frequently multi-dimensional.
Insurance companies rely on professional adjusters to negotiate and fight accident claims. In order to deal with these professionals, you need a skilled attorney to protect your rights. We know your rights and the applicable laws. We are your advocates. We are experts at negotiating with powerful insurance companies. Fifty years of experience counts.
The Attorneys at Friend, Levinson & Turner Law make the legal process as stress-free as possible. We focus on recovering compensation for you – while you, your child, and your family concentrate on physical and emotional recovery.
If you or a loved one is injured or a victim of the negligence of others, please call my office at 312-346-8465 or contact us using the form below.
