Articles Posted in Bus Accident

Eleven people were injured on Saturday night in a CTA bus crash on the far South Side, according to the Chicago breaking news center. The bus hit a viaduct after a passenger fell on the driver.

The passenger reportedly lost his balance. It was not stated if there were any factors leading to the CTA rider falling, such as bus overcrowding or erratic driving, which in my experience as a Chicago injury lawyer can be common causes of passengers losing their balance.

After the passenger fell on the driver, the bus swerved and hit a viaduct in the area of East 130th Street and S. Indiana Ave. The Incident occurred around 9:30 PM. All 11 of the injured were taken to local hospitals with no serious injuries reported.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) teamed up with its state and local law enforcement partners across the nation recently and conducted nearly 3,000 surprise passenger carrier safety inspections, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. These inspections come after a string of fatal bus accidents that we recently told you about on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog.

“Working side-by-side with our state and local law enforcement partners, we can ensure that every passenger bus company and driver operates as safely as possible,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “These strike force activities are one of the many effective tools we use year-round to raise the safety bar for commercial buses and drivers on our nation’s roadways.”Our Chicago personal injury lawyers understand that everyone is budgeting their money more consciously since the beginning of the recession. While many companies are now offering lower ticket rates to appeal to potential customers, could they come with a cost — in the form of older buses, less maintenance and lower pay for drivers.

“Safety is our number one priority,” said Secretary LaHood. “We will continue to use every resource at our disposal to shut down unsafe passenger bus companies that place motorists at risk and remove drivers from our roads who put passengers in harm’s way.”

Of the approximately 3,000 inspections carried out by the FMCSA, nearly 300 drivers and buses were yanked off the road for failing to meet safety standards. The fact that 1 in 10 buses had safety risks so serious they were not permitted to remain on the road should tell passengers all they need to know about the state of bus safety in America.

The feds are making an effort to strengthen passenger carrier safety nationwide after being criticized for the recent fatal bus incidents. Still, more needs to be done to keep these companies honest — and to make sure they are putting passenger safety ahead of profits.

Other agencies are contributing to the revamp of bus safety standards as well. The Obama Administration made much-needed improvements to motorcoach safety by creating and enforcing a new Motorcoach Safety Action Plan. In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed new regulations that require electronic on-board recorders and seat belts on every bus. These electronic on-board recorders aim to replace the antiquated system of having drivers track work hours with paper log books. The government also prohibited texting and cell phone use by commercial drivers who are operating a tour bus.

With the summer travel season upon us, we encourage you to do your best to ensure the bus company you choose can get you to your destination safely. More should go into your decisions about travel plans than the price of the ticket.
Continue reading

As authorities continue to investigate a bus accident that claimed 14 lives in New York City, the incident has put the spotlight on the risk of bus accidents in Chicago and elsewhere involving tour buses and discount bus operators. The Wall Street Journal reports one of the crashes that first brought the growing industry to the attention of authorities occurred in 2007, when a bus traveling from New York to Chicago crashed in Pennsylvania, killing two passengers.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers frequently discuss the need to seek legal representation when dealing with an accident involving commercial trucks or buses. Multiple claims, multiple at-fault parties and state and federal regulations can make dealing with such claims a complex process.Records indicate the bus company had previously been cited for driver fatigue by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It’s buses had also been involved in several accidents. Still, the company managed to receive a “satisfactory” rating from inspectors. The bus was traveling from a Connecticut casino to New York City when it flipped over in Manhattan and skidded 480 feet into a guardrail. Fourteen riders were killed.

The Chicago Tribune reported the crash has renewed scrutiny of bus companies offering cheap, convenient fares on older buses. Such services are in the fifth year of a boom that has been no stranger to fatal accidents. Just last September four riders died when a Megabus missed an exit in Syracuse. And just one day after the accident in New York City killed 14, a driver and passenger were killed when a bus drove off the New Jersey turnpike.

Megabus launched a few years ago in Chicago, which has become a thriving hub. Some services offer rides from Philadelphia to Chicago for $22, or trips from Boston to New York for $10 or $15, compared to the $70 or more Amtrak would charge. Critics ask if they keep those fairs low by cutting costs when it comes to safety.
Continue reading

Chicago bus crash attorneys from Abels & Annes have entered into an agreement to work on a case for a South Side resident that was injured in a CTA accident that occurred last Saturday on Lake Shore Drive. Our client was riding a Jackson Park Express bus going southbound around 6:00 p.m. He was seated near the front of the bus when the vehicle lost control, left the road and crashed in the area of 2800 South Lake Shore Drive. No other vehicles were involved in the incident.

After the crash many people jumped out through emergency windows. Several people were bleeding.

There were around 70 passengers on board. A total of 37 people were injured and taken to area hospitals. Our client sustained left knee, right ankle, right wrist and low back injuries. He was taken by ambulance to St. Bernard Hospital in Chicago.

A Chicago CTA bus accident on South Lake Shore Drive has resulted in 37 passengers being taken to area hospitals, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Around 70 people were riding the Jackson Park Express bus going southbound when it crashed on Saturday night. The incident occurred around 6 PM near 2800 S. Lake Shore Dr.

The bus ran off the drive and hit several trees. Witnesses on the bus said the driver was having trouble steering and a passenger actually went to help her. They said she was trying very hard to pull the steering wheel and would not move.

After the bus came to a stop, many riders jumped off the bus through emergency windows. Several were reportedly bleeding from head wounds.