Bus Accident Attorney in Forest Park, IL

The financial and emotional hardships of being injured in a bus accident are sudden and unexpected. Take control of your recovery by calling the Forest Park, IL bus accident attorney of Burger Law today at (312) 500-HURT or by contacting us online.

Bus accidents barely ever get the same attention as plane or train accidents, despite the fact that they can often be equally as perilous and fatal, and have just as damaging an effect on Forest Park, IL residents and families. The Illinois Department of Transportation states that in 2019 there were 4,316 bus accidents, 846 of which resulted in personal injury or death. If you or a loved one has been hurt because a bus company or driver disregarded the rules, the experienced and talented Forest Park, IL bus accident attorneys at Burger Law are here to deliver you justice.

Our bus accident attorney team has over 20 years of experience standing by the side of the injured in Forest Park, IL and throughout Illinois. To date have won our clients over $175 million in verdicts and settlements. We know the physical, financial and emotional affliction you are going through right now and will stand by your side from our initial consultation until we win your case. Insurance companies and large corporations sometimes think they deceive people into accepting less money than they deserve, but they have come to fear the determined and dedicated bus accident attorneys of Burger Law. We aggressively explore every option in your claim throughout the duration of your case. Our bus accident attorney team has devoted their lives to standing up to bullies and will not rest until we secure you the best possible financial recovery you deserve. If you or someone you care about has been harmed in a bus wreck, call your trusted Burger Law injury lawyer today at (312) 500-HURT for a free case evaluation and to start on the road to recovery.

If you were injured in bus accident in Forest Park, IL because of another person’s careless behavior, find out how much your claim may be worth by using our personal injury calculator.

What Will a Forest Park, IL Bus Accident Attorney Do For Me?

For many Forest Park, IL individuals, the legal process iscomplex and bewildering. The last thing you want in these difficult times is to spend your energy on wondering how to proceed and who you can really trust. When you hire Burger Law’s committed and accomplished bus accident attorney team, we take charge of your entire case immediately and do not let up until you receive the compensation you are owed. We handle every detail of your case, including:

• Documentation
• Litigation
• Communication
• Giving you skilled, genuine and empathetic legal advice
• Gathering evidence
• Working with experts to validate your claim
• Proving negligence
• Demanding a fair settlement
• Taking the fight in front of a judge and jury when the insurance company will not give you a fair offer

We know that you are feeling vulnerable in this difficult time, and you need to concentrate your energy on you or your loved one’s recovery. You are likely wondering how you are going to pay for the heap of medical costs that are accumulating, and how you can pay for taking the required time off work. However serious your injuries are or the extent to which they have impacted your life, the Forest Park, IL bus accident attorney team at Burger Law will pledge themselves to ensuring your future is protected and all your medical and financial needs relevant to your injury are taken care of. The devastating financial and emotional repercussions of a bus accident injury is unexpected, and it should not prevent you from feeling secure about you and your family’s future. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, contact your Burger Law bus accident attorney today to take the first step towards full compensation.

Common Causes of Bus Accident Injuries | Forest Park, IL Bus Accident Attorney

Bus accidents can take place for a lot of reasons, and the reverberations they have on the passengers and others injured can range from small to grave. In order to hold the liable party accountable, your Forest Park, IL bus accident attorney at Burger Law will first find out the cause of the accident to find out who is responsible for the negligence or careless actions that caused your injuries. In our 20 years of experience as aggressive Forest Park, IL bus accident lawyers we have seen every category of motor vehicle and bus accident case. The following are some of the most common causes of bus accidents.

• The age of the driver and their experience. A 2012 Journal of Safety Research study found that beginner drivers under 25 years old, in addition to more experienced drivers over the age of 55 were more likely to be driving when a bus accident occurred.
• Driver error. While the same study reported that just 4 percent of bus accidents were caused by a grave offense such as the driver being intoxicated, a different study by the University of Michigan stated that 31 percent of bus drivers in metropolitan area bus crashes had been cited with driving errors, for instance, speeding, being sleepy or distracted driving.
• Driver fatigue. A large portion of bus drivers, particularly those that drive for commercial bus lines such as Greyhound that necessitate drivers to drive hundreds of miles in the middle of the night, become drowsy and can even fall asleep behind the wheel. While most busing companies have specifications about how many hours a driver can drive during a day or how frequently they have to take a break, those rules are frequently not enforced or obeyed.
• Road conditions. Given buses’ size and the awkwardness of maneuvering them, icy roads or Forest Park, IL construction areas can be particularly dangerous for bus riders. In some cases a third party such as a construction company is negligent. Burger Law’s bus accident attorney will help you discover if that applies case.
• Negligence by the bus company. Bus companies are overseen by regulatory bodies, but not close to as much as other transportation industries. A 2011 study by the National Transportation Safety Board found that The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has only 878 inspectors responsible for reviews for over 765,000 motor carriers, or only 1.15 inspectors per 1,000 motor carriers. This means inspectors frequently cannot keep pace with the number of inspections needed. Some Forest Park, IL bus companies do not properly maintain their vehicles, causing them to be dangerous. Additionally, bus companies are required to ensure that their drivers are adequately trained and do not drive too long without a break.
• Hazardous roads. Hazards in the road and road conditions can cause a driver to lose control and crash. A Few common examples are:
  • Potholes
  • Uneven pavement or cracks in the pavement
  • Defective or missing traffic lights
  • Obstacles on the road, such as branches or vehicle wreckage
  • Poor lighting
  • Excessive grades

  The longer the hazardous condition has been on the Forest Park, IL road, the better your odds of holding the negligent parties responsible. The liable party may be a local Forest Park, IL government, or a third party whom the government paid to fix the problem but either did not do so soon enough or did not correctly repair it.

After we learn the cause of your accident, our bus accident attorney will move quickly to hold the liable parties responsible and secure you the full financial recovery you deserve. You should not have to sit and wonder who is to blame for this terrible situation and if they will ever take responsibility for their behavior. Let Burger Law deliver you justice and security. Call our seasoned and devoted bus accident attorney now at (312) 500-HURT to start the process of making you whole again.

Types of Bus Accidents | Forest Park, IL Bus Accident Attorney

Buses are always large, and when they collide with objects or other vehicles they often cause serious injuries to their riders and others on the Forest Park, IL road. When that occurs because of someone’s reckless, that person needs to be held accountable. The experienced and talented Forest Park, IL bus accident attorneys at Burger Law have seen every sort of case and know how to get you justice and a maximum financial recovery. Below are some of the most common types of bus accidents.

School Bus Accidents

School bus accidents are the most common variety of bus accident in Illinois. In the United States, school bus accidents make up 40 percent of all deadly bus crashes. There are many parties who might be held liable if your child was injured on a school bus:

• The bus driver. The majority of bus accidents are because of driver error. Speeding, driving while intoxicated, not following the rules of the road and distracted driving are examples of a school bus driver being thoughtless or negligent and consequently at fault for the accident.
• The School District. A school district may be found negligent if they did not cancel school in poor weather or if they did not perform a sufficient background check when hiring the bus driver. We trust school districts with the health of our kids, and when they eschew their responsibility you need a relentless and knowledgeable bus accident attorney like those at Burger Law to hold them accountable.
• The Bus Company. The company that owns the bus has an obligation to frequently inspect the bus and correctly maintain it to ensure its safety. If they fail in their duty and your child is hurt because of it, they owe you and your child compensation.
• The Bus Manufacturer. As with any motor vehicle, a faulty component that the manufacturer knew about but did not recall is an example of product liability. If defective parts were the cause of your child’s school bus accident, the manufacturer may be held liable for your injuries.

The safety of your child should be foremost to everyone involved, and no matter the reason for your child’s bus accident, anyone who broke the rules and put them in harm’s way needs to pay. Your compassionate and veteran Burger Law bus accident attorney of Forest Park, IL will hold the negligent parties accountable and make sure you collect the compensation you are owed for your child’s injuries. If your child was hurt in a school bus accident because of another person’s carelessness, call us today at (312) 500-HURT for a free consultation and to take the first step in safeguarding your family’s future.

Public Transportation Bus Accidents

In Illinois, 63 public transportation operators transport 400 million passengers per year. That is a lot of passengers who could possibly be injured because of negligence by a public body or the thoughtless behavior of a government worker. While it is possible to sue a public or governmental entity, it does necessitate a specific procedure that your trusted and knowledgeable bus accident attorney will help you with. In Illinois, 745 ILCS 10 offers a degree of sovereign immunity so that they are not held responsible for “operation of government.” Effectively, this means that the burden of proof when filing a suit against a municipality or government employee is much higher, and you must illustrate an “actual or deliberate intention to cause harm” or “utter indifference to or disregard for the safety of others.” This goes well beyond standard negligence, such as a driver failing to signal properly. Call your Forest Park, IL bus accident injury lawyer at (312) 500-HURT to see if you have a case against a public entity.

To file a claim against a public entity in Illinois, you must file a written notice or a lawsuit with the Attorney General and the Clerk of the Court of Claims no more than one year after the accident happened. If you file a notice first, the lawsuit needs to be filed no more than two years after the injury took place. If you or someone you care about has been harmed in a public transportation accident, there is no time to wait. Call the Forest Park, IL bus accident lawyers at Burger Law immediately so we can start working on your case right away.

Common Carrier Bus Accidents

A common carrier is any entity or corporation that transports passengers or goods for a fare available to the general public. Regarding bus collisions, these are typically private travel companies such as Greyhound that provide transport between cities, states and towns. They have the same responsibility any other entity does, such as hiring safe drivers, providing sufficient training, regularly inspecting and maintaining their bus line and not permitting their drivers to become sleepy behind the wheel. If they do not allow their drivers adequate rest, or do not inspect their vehicles correctly or perform needed repairs, they need to be held responsible for your injuries. Burger Law’s bus accident attorney team in Forest Park, IL has devoted their lives to standing up to big businesses who act like they do not have to compensate you for your injuries.

Accidents Where the Driver is At Fault

While certain supervising bodies are at-fault for the upkeep of their bus fleet, driver error is still the most common cause of bus collisions that our bus accident attorney sees. You trust a bus driver to consider your safety their prime concern when you get aboard a bus, and when they break that trust and do not respect the rules, you need a relentless and talented Forest Park, IL bus accident attorney at Burger Law to hold them responsible and get you justice. A bus driver can be held to blame or reckless if they drive drunk, drive while distracted, do not follow the rules of the road or make improper turns or signals while driving. If you were injured because a bus driver did not take your safety seriously, call Burger Law today at (312) 500-HURT and we will demand that you the best possible financial recovery you are owed.

Common Injuries in Bus Accidents

Owing to the mere size of buses and the force that the crashes can carry, bus accident injuries are often much more severe than injuries stemming from a standard fender-bender. You may sustain anything from a sore-neck for a few days to permanent disabilities and life-threatening injuries. The following are some of the most common injuries Burger Law’s Forest Park, IL bus accident attorney has seen:

• Whiplash Injuries
• Back, Neck, or Spine Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Lacerations and Deep Cuts
• Internal Injuries
• Head Injuries
• Severe Burns
• Loss of Limb

Regardless of the injury you sustained in your bus accident, if it takes place because of somebody else’s recklessness or thoughtlessness, you do not need to go it alone in your recovery. Burger Law’s empathetic and committed bus accident injury team is here for you to make sure you collect a financial recovery for all of your damages. Contact us now for a complimentary consultation and to start on the road to feeling whole again.

Below are some helpful links and frequently asked questions for bus accident injuries and other types of injuries:

• Do I have to Talk to the Insurance Company Before I Talk to a Lawyer?
• How Much to Expect in an Auto Accident Settlement
• What Happens During Litigation?
• Does My Family Have a Wrongful Death Claim?
• What Will a Personal Injury Lawyer Do for My Case?
• $5 Million Wrongful Death Settlement
• Force Is What Separates Truck Accidents From Car Accidents

What to Do if You Sustained a Bus Accident Injury | Forest Park, IL Bus Accident Attorney

Immediately following a bus accident, you are likely stunned and fearful, not to mention potentially severely injured. It can be confusing to know the immediate steps you should take. Our Forest Park, IL bus accident attorney knows how to proceed in order to make certain you get the required medical treatment and the best result from your case. Here are the primary steps you must take immediately after being injured in a bus accident, if you are able:

• Call 911. While Forest Park, IL bus drivers have a responsibility to call 911 following a bus accident, you should also do so yourself. Because of the amount of riders on a bus and the force that accompanies a bus accident, it is probable that somebody will need medical treatment – even possibly dozens of people. Provide aid to anyone who might need it.
• Get the Driver’s Information. Almost all bus companies will have a badge, ID number or other identifying information about the driver readily available. At the very least you need to make sure you write down the license plate number of the bus so that you have a record of who was driving.
• Talk to Eyewitnesses. Because there are generally many passengers in a bus accident, locating witnesses should not be very hard and they will probably be very enthusiastic about cooperating. Often, injured passengers in a bus wreck in Forest Park, IL will use the same bus accident attorney to file their claim.
• Obtain Other Evidence. Photos are vital. Take pictures of every vehicle that was part of the crash as well as the Forest Park, IL road and surroundings if it is safe to do so. You will want to jot down anything else you may find significant, such as if the driver appeared drowsy or seemed intoxicated. Even apparently unimportant details can be invaluable to your bus accident attorney when filing your injury claim.
• Call Burger Law. When you hire a Burger Law Forest Park, IL bus accident attorney, we oversee all aspects of your case from our initial case evaluation to when you pick up your settlement check. Our bus accident attorney team demands that you collect the best possible compensation for all of your damages.

We know the ruinous repercussions a bus accident injury can have on your life and the lives of your family, and that is why we do not stop until you get the best possible recovery you are owed. We have seen every category of motor vehicle and bus accident case and will use our experience and skill to hold the liable parties accountable. We will make sure that you are fully compensated for all of your damages, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, mental anguish and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, call our Forest Park, IL bus accident attorney team right away at (312) 500-HURT to get started on your road to recovery.

Learn more about our various practice areas by clicking the links below

• Truck Crash Lawyers in Illinois
• Wrongful Death Lawyers in Illinois
• Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Illinois
• Car Accident Attorney in Illinois

HIRE OUR FOREST PARK, IL BUS ACCIDENT ATTORNEY TODAY

Forest Park, IL Bus Accident Attorney | Burger Law

If you have sustained an injury in a bus accident, we know how you are feeling: frightened, vulnerable and unsure about what the future holds for you and your loved ones. The best thing you can do right now to protect your future is to call one of Burger Law’s veteran and kind bus accident attorney immediately. We have seen first hand the devastation that bus accident injuries can wreak on families, and we have devoted our lives to ensuring the individuals and families of Forest Park, IL are equitably compensated for their damages. You do not have to go forward alone. Burger Law will stand by your side from your first consultation until we win your case. Call us today at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation and to start the journey to make you whole again.

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Juanita Matthews

Year of 2023

This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!

Shaunda S.

7 months ago

I am very happy with the staff at Burger Law. I mostly worked with Michael Sheldon, and he did an amazing job. I trusted him completely with my case, and he did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this team if your ever in need of good attorneys.

Emelia M.

3 months ago

Burger Law Firm is fantastic. Laura and Genevieve were so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process. They helped me with my personal injury case every step of the way and succeeded at getting me the results I desired.

Helen L.

a year ago

We had a great experience with Burger Law for representing us after a serious car accident. Truly impressed by how professional and supportive the entire team is. And, many thanks to Genavieve and Laura – you are amazing!

Judy M.

a year ago

They did an amazing job on my case! Communication with them was great!!! Kept me informed and in the loop with everything that was going on!!! Will definitely be the 1st ones I’ll call if ever I’m in another accident!!! Thank you very much!!!

Chelsea C.

5 months ago

Let me tell you something about Burger Law.. they are so attentive and kind. Jennifer is my savior!! I love the whole team!!! They are truly a miracle team!! I appreciate their business and would recommend it to others.

David D.

2 months ago

Absolutely the best law firm in the St. Louis area. No matter the size of your case you are treated as if you are the only client on the roster. Will explain anything thoroughly and they work around your availability. Very impressed and appreciative of the service.

Lisa B.

11 months ago

Gary and Casey took great care of me for 2.5 years as my lawsuit was finally settled. I feel he helped me achieve justice for me and my 4 children after their father died from medical malpractice and neglect. Thanks to Gary, my kids now have a great start to their college and adult lives. Thank you Gary and Casey, for fighting for us so hard at our most trying and difficult time in our lives thus far. Love and God bless from my family to yours!

View More Reviews on Google Maps and Yelp