Edgar Aguilar Killed In Des Plaines Pace Bus Accident on Touhy Avenue
Bus Accident - June 26, 2023
Bicyclist Edgar Aguilar (Full Name: Edgar Soriano Aguilar) Died In Des Plaines Pace Bus Accident By Touhy Avenue near Lee Street
DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS (June 26, 2023) – A 50-year-old bicyclist identified as Edgar Aguilar was killed in a Des Plaines Pace bus accident on Touhy Avenue near Lee Street.
Cook County officials are saying that the accident took place around 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday. Edgar Aguilar was riding westbound on Touhy Avenue when he needed to swerve in order to avoid a vehicle.
Shortly after that incident, he was struck by a Pace bus traveling the same direction. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim.
He was taken to the hospital with major brain injuries. Despite life-saving measures, Edgar Aguilar died at the hospital. A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing.
Liability For Des Plaines Bus Accidents
Buses can be particularly dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists. According to The Journalist’s Resource, “about 63,000 buses [of all kinds] are involved in an accident each year; about 14,000 result in an injured person, and 325 result in a fatal injury. About 50 passengers (including the driver) are killed, on average, in a given year.” There are a number of steps that bus drivers should take in order to avoid collisions.
- Bus drivers should reduce their speed when pedestrians or cyclists are nearby.
- Bus drivers should be well rested before the start of their shift.
- Bus drivers should check their blind spots before turning.
Pace buses are considered “common carriers” under the Common Carrier Liability Act (740 ILCS 25/) and their drivers are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, drivers should slow down and use their horn when necessary to alert pedestrians of their presence. If a driver fails to slow down and hits a bicyclist, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Liability for a bus accident could extend beyond any bus driver. If a bus driver was working at the time of a collision, the bus company or municipality that they worked for could be held at fault. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any bus accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
It can be hard to know what to do after any collision. But it is important for accident victims to know that they do have rights. The family of any person that is killed in a bus accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim. Unfortunately, bus companies will often fight hard to deny liability for any collision.
Investigating Des Plaines Bus Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Edgar Aguilar. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place.
Do you need more information about a Des Plaines Pace bus accident? Our team of bicycle safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping accident victims understand their rights and holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after a collision we may be able to help. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
