Pedestrian Injured In Champaign MTD Bus Accident

Bus Accident - December 30, 2024

MTD Bus Driver Cited After Hitting Pedestrian In Champaign Near Wright Street and University Avenue

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS (December 30, 2024) – A pedestrian was injured in a Champaign MTD bus accident by Wright Street and University Avenue.

Champaign County officials are saying that the incident took place around 6:30 p.m. on Monday. A pedestrian was hit by the bus under uncertain conditions.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision and taken to a local hospital in order to receive treatment.

Police cited the MTD bus driver for the collision. A full investigation into the Champaign MTD bus collision remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Illinois Bus Accidents

Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in bus accidents. 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. About 50 passengers (including the driver) are killed, on average, in a given year.” Pedestrians are much more vulnerable to the hazards posed by commercial vehicles.

• Buses have large blind spots that may obscure the presence of pedestrians.
• Buses have a wide turning radius, which can increase the likelihood of collisions.
• Buses weigh much more than passenger vehicles and take much longer to come to a stop.

Buses are considered common carriers under Illinois law. Their drivers must operate with a great deal of care in order to avoid pedestrians. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, every driver must exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian. They must also use their horns when necessary and exercise the proper precautions to avoid colliding with any child or obviously confused person. When a bus driver fails to take action to avoid hitting a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any bus accident.

• Surveillance footage from nearby businesses should be sought.
• Medical records related to the injury should be preserved.
• The logbook of the bus driver involved should be reviewed.
• Photos of the bus involved and the accident site should be captured.

Depending on the facts of any case, liability for a collision could extend beyond an at-fault driver. The company that owned or operated a bus could also be held at fault. In general, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – 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 were involved in a crash. Any person injured due to the negligence of a bus driver may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim.

Investigating Champaign County Bus Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the pedestrian injured in this Champaign County MTD bus accident. It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable crash that should have never taken place.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Champaign County bus accident? We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. 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.