One Person Injured In Chicago Tour Bus Accident In The Loop
Bus Accident - January 28, 2024
One Person Seriously Injured In Chicago After Double Decker Tour Bus Hit Support Bean Along DuSable Lake Shore Drive In The Loop
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (January 28, 2023) – At least one person was seriously injured in a Chicago tour bus accident in the Loop by the exit of DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
Cook County officials are saying that the incident took place on Saturday afternoon. A Big Bus Tours vehicle was traveling down the road when it struck a support beam for Lake Shore Drive.
Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims. Chicago Fire Department officials said that one adult was taken to Northwestern Hospital with serious injuries.
A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Chicago Tour Bus Accidents
Buses pose a number of unique safety concerns, especially for those traveling in passenger vehicles. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, “Nationwide, more than 700 million passengers — nearly the entire population of Europe — are transported by buses annually. Most travel to and from their destinations safely. Yet despite the strong safety record of buses … there were more than 250 people killed and 20,000 injured in bus-related crashes in 2009.” There are a number of reasons that buses can be uniquely dangerous.
- Buses have large blind spots that can easily obscure the presence of smaller vehicles.
- Buses are naturally top heavy which makes them more susceptible to rollover collisions.
- Buses can weigh tens of thousands of pounds which can make even low impact collisions very dangerous.
Buses are considered “common carriers” and are held to strict safety standards set forth in the Common Carrier Liability Act (740 ILCS 25/). Handling a bus is substantially more difficult than driving a passenger vehicle. This is why it is so important that all bus drivers are well-trained. Many collisions are due to drivers that are speeding. According to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-601, no person shall operate a motor vehicle at a speed greater than would be reasonable or prudent given the prevailing conditions of the roadway.
If a tour bus operator was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were operating within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a bus driver may have been transporting customers. Victims of bus accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
Many of the injuries that a person suffers in a bus accident may not be immediately apparent. Car accidents can fill a person with adrenaline which can easily mask pain and injuries. This is why it is important to seek medical attention as early as possible after any collision. Any person that is injured due to the negligence of a bus driver may have legal recourse through a civil claim. A bus accident attorney can examine the unique facts of your case free of cost and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Chicago Car Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Chicago tour bus accident on the Loop. It is our sincere hope that all of the victims will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Chicago tour bus accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of bus accident attorneys are here to help. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that they get the support they are entitled to. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
