One Dead, 23 Injured In Chicago CTA Bus Accident on DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Bus Accident - July 10, 2023
One Person Died, Dozens Injured In Chicago Transit Authority Bus Accident Along DuSable Lake Shore Drive
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (July 10, 2023) – One person has died and at least 23 were injured in a Chicago CTA bus accident along DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
Cook County officials are saying that the collision took place on Sunday morning. A CTA bus was involved in a collision with a Dodge Journey traveling southbound.
The force of the impact caused the vehicles to catch fire. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims.
Sadly, one person died and at least 23 were injured in the crash. Three people were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.
A full investigation in to the bus collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Chicago CTA Bus Accidents
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in collisions with buses. According to The Journalist’s Resource, “on average, 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.” The vast majority of bus accidents are preventable and involve some amount of driver error. There are many different factors that could contribute to a bus accident.
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Inclement weather
- Poor road conditions
Buses are considered “common carriers” and are held to strict safety standards set forth in the Common Carrier Liability Act (740 ILCS 25/). Their drivers must exercise a great deal of care in order to avoid collisions. A large number of bus accidents are due to bus drivers that make dangerous turns in the roadway. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-707), no person shall make a left turn or U-turn upon a roadway unless such a movement can be made with reasonable safety.
The company or municipality that a bus driver worked for could also be held at fault for a collision. In general, employers are typically liable for the wrongful acts or omissions of their employees. This is true insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a bus driver may have been transporting passengers when they crashed. 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 from the bus involved should be reviewed.
- Maintenance records for the bus should be sought.
Victims of bus accidents often suffer life-altering injuries. They may not be able to return to work for significant periods of time. Any person that is injured in a bus accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the costs that come with the sudden loss of a loved one. Sadly, though, bus companies will often fight hard to deny liability for any collision.
Investigating Chicago CTA Bus Accident Claims
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the person that died. It is our sincere hope that the other victims will be able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Chicago Transit Authority bus accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of bus safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
