Chicago is a sprawling metropolis with a large system of buses and trucks that move passengers and cargo all over the city. Commuters are vulnerable to the much larger vehicles they share the road with every day. The sheer size and weight of buses and trucks can make a collision with one of these vehicles disastrous.
Did you or a family member endure injuries in an accident with a bus or truck in Chicago? Was a member of your family killed in a collision with a bus or truck in Chicago? Answering yes to one or both of these questions could mean you have the foundation of an insurance claim or lawsuit.
A Chicago bus and truck accident lawyer near you can make sure you receive the financial compensation you deserve to pay you for medical expenses you incurred through no fault of your own. Contact the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 to discuss your case with a member of our legal team today.
Annual Bus and Truck Accidents in Chicago
Sharing the streets and highways with buses and trucks can be hazardous at times. There were 324,473 car accidents reported in Illinois in 2016. The Illinois Department of Transportation also reported the following bus and truck-related accident numbers:
- 1,650 accidents involving school buses that led to 190 injuries and three deaths of passenger car occupants
- 2,870 other types of buses were involved in accidents that resulted in 547 injuries and one death of passenger car occupants
- 11,301 crashes involving tractor-trailers that resulted in 2,066 injuries and 89 deaths of passenger car occupants
Contact a Chicago bus and truck accident lawyer if you or a family member suffered an injury or if a family member was killed in an accident involving a bus or truck.
Classifying Injuries in Bus and Truck Accidents in Chicago
The difference in sizes between passenger vehicles like sedans and SUV’s and large trucks and school and transit buses is massive. A collision with a vehicle so much larger than a passenger car can result in many different types of injuries. The state classifies injuries suffered in car collisions into the following three categories:
- A-Injuries are the most severe types of injuries. Victims who suffer from A-injuries are incapable of leaving the scene of the accident on their own. These victims are also unable to immediately resume activities they enjoyed prior to the collision. Injuries include broken bones, severe head injuries, and serious chest injuries.
- B-Injuries are less severe. Victims of B-injuries are able to walk away on their own but have injuries that are clearly defined and visible at the time of the accident. Injuries include minor head injuries, visible bruising, and cuts and gashes.
- C-Injuries are the most minor type. They can include temporary loss of consciousness, injuries that are not visible, aches and pains, and emotional trauma.
Seek medical treatment for injuries of any degree and obtain copies of all medical records and expenses. Immediately consult a Chicago bus and truck accident lawyer to discuss your injuries and review your claim for financial compensation.
Reporting a Bus or Truck Accident in Chicago
A police report that contains the details of the accident you were involved in is always a good idea. The police report can also provide important details and information for your lawyer as they build your case for compensation. The law requires you to complete a police report if:
- Anyone involved in the accident was killed
- More than $500 of damage is readily apparent
- a vehicle involved in the accident was a school bus
An accident that results in any of these conditions must be reported within ten days. Failure to file a police report could lead to a loss of driving privileges for either driver. You should also obtain a copy of your police report and provide it to the Chicago bus and truck accident lawyer who builds your case.
Information in a Bus or Truck Accident Report
A complete crash report can contain valuable information for you and your lawyer like witness interviews, photos, and diagrams of the accident scene. This can be especially helpful if you lose consciousness or suffer injuries that make it impossible for you to obtain critical pieces of information at the time of the accident including:
- Date, time, and location of accident
- Full names of drivers and passengers
- License information of each driver
- Insurance information for each driver
- Description of vehicle damage
- Description of other property damage
- Pictures and diagrams of the accident
Additional information might also be included in the police report. Be sure to obtain a copy of the report for your Chicago bus and truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after the report is filed.
For a free legal consultation with a Bus Truck Accidents Lawyer serving Chicago, call (800) 794-0444
Seek Legal Guidance after a Bus or Truck Accident in Chicago
An accident with a bus or large truck in Chicago can leave you with severe injuries, a damaged or destroyed vehicle, and mounting medical bills. You owe it to yourself to work with a Chicago bus and truck accident lawyer who can negotiate for the monetary award you deserve for your medical bills and other expenses.
Avoid negotiating a settlement for your claim on your own. Your Chicago bus and truck accident lawyer can help you assign liability to the at-fault driver’s insurer, employer, or vehicle manufacturer. Call the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 to review your case for free and your possible legal and financial options. You pay nothing up-front. We only get paid if we receive a settlement or judgment in your case.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form