Bus Accident Attorney in Palatine, IL

Bus Accident Attorney in Palatine, IL

Bus Accident Attorney in Palatine, IL. If you or a loved one has been injured in a catastrophic bus crash, take control of your recovery by calling the Palatine, IL bus accident attorney of Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or by contacting us online.

Bus accidents hardly ever get the same publicity as plane or train crashes, even though they can often be just as perilous and deadly, and have just as catastrophic an effect on Palatine, IL residents and families. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that in 2019 there were 4,316 bus accidents, 846 of which resulted in personal injury or death. If you or someone you care about has been harmed because a bus company or driver disregarded the rules, the seasoned and talented Palatine, IL bus accident attorneys at Burger Law are here to help.

Our bus accident attorney team has over 20 years of experience defending the rights of the injured in Palatine, IL and throughout Illinois. To date have won our clients over $175 million in verdicts and settlements. We know the physical, financial and emotional pain you are undergoing right now and will stand by your side from start to finish. Insurance companies and large corporations sometimes think they deceive people into accepting less money than they deserve, but they have come to fear the tenacious and skilled bus accident attorneys of Burger Law. We forcefully explore every option in your claim from start to finish. Our bus accident attorney team has dedicated their lives to fighting back against bullies and will not let up until we get you the best possible financial recovery you are owed. If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a bus crash, call your trusted Burger Law injury lawyer today at (314) 500-HURT for a complimentary consultation and to start on the road to recovery.

If you were hurt in bus wreck in Palatine, IL because of someone else’s negligent actions, find out how much your claim may be worth by using our personal injury calculator.

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

For the majority of Palatine, IL families, the legal process isconvoluted and confusing. 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 whole case right away and do not let up until you get the compensation you deserve. We oversee every facet of your case, including:

• Documentation
• Litigation
• Communication
• Providing you with expert, genuine and empathetic counsel
• Obtaining evidence
• Working with experts to validate your claim
• Proving negligence
• Demanding a fair settlement
• Taking the fight to trial when the insurance company will not give you a fair offer

When you get injured, you feel vulnerable and afraid, and you need to focus your energy on you or your loved one’s recovery. You may be asking yourself how you are going to pay for the stack of medical costs coming your way, and how you are going to pay for taking the necessary time off work. However severe your injuries are or the extent to which they have affected your life, the Palatine, IL bus accident attorney team at Burger Law will committ themselves to making certain your future is protected and all your medical and financial needs related to your injury are taken care of. The devastating financial and emotional reverberations of a bus accident injury is sudden, 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 fully recovering.

Common Causes of Bus Accident Injuries | Palatine, IL Bus Accident Attorney

Bus accidents can happen for many reasons, and the reverberations they have on the passengers and others injured can stretch from minor to life-changing. In order to hold the negligent party accountable, your Palatine, IL bus accident attorney at Burger Law will first find out the cause of the accident to learn who is responsible for the negligence or thoughtless behavior that caused your injuries. In our 20 years of experience as fearless Palatine, IL bus accident lawyers we have seen every variety 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 novice drivers under 25 years old, as well as more experienced drivers over the age of 55 were more likely to be driving when a bus accident occurred.
• Driver action. While the same study found that only 4 percent of bus accidents were because of a serious offense such as driving while intoxicated, another study by the University of Michigan stated that 31 percent of bus drivers in metropolitan area bus collisions had committed driving errors, for example, speeding, being fatigued or distracted driving.
• Driver fatigue. A good deal of bus drivers, especially those that are employed by commercial bus companies such as Greyhound that require drivers to drive hundreds of miles at all hours of the day or night, become fatigued and can even fall asleep behind the wheel. While most busing companies have rules about how many hours a driver can drive during without a break or how frequently they have to take a break, those rules are often not enforced or followed.
• Road hazards. Given buses’ mass and the difficulty of driving them, slick roads or Palatine, IL construction areas can be especially hazardous for bus commuters. Sometimes a third party such as a construction company will be 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 entities, but much less than 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 a mere 1.15 inspectors per 1,000 motor carriers. This means inspectors generally cannot keep up with the number of inspections required. Some Palatine, IL bus companies do not correctly inspect their vehicles, causing them to be dangerous. Furthermore, bus companies are obligated to make certain that their drivers are correctly trained and do not drive too many hours without a break.
• Hazardous roads. Unsafe road conditions or hazards in the road can result in a driver losing control and causing an accident. A Few common examples are:
  • Potholes
  • Cracked or uneven pavement
  • Malfunctioning or missing traffic lights
  • Obstacles on the road, for instance branches or vehicle wreckage
  • Inadequate lighting
  • Excessive grades

  The longer the hazardous condition has been on the Palatine, IL road, the better chance you have of holding the at-fault parties responsible. The at-fault party may be a local Palatine, IL government, or a third party whom the government paid to eliminate the condition but either did not do so soon enough or did not correctly repair it.

Once we find out the cause of your accident, our bus accident attorney will move immediately 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 horrible situation and if they will ever take responsibility for their actions. Let Burger Law deliver you justice and security. Call our experienced and devoted bus accident attorney immediately at (314) 500-HURT to start down the path of recovery.

Types of Bus Accidents | Palatine, IL Bus Accident Attorney

Buses are always massive, and when they collide with objects or other vehicles they typically cause significant injuries to their passengers and others on the Palatine, IL road. When that happens because of someone’s behavior, that person needs to be held accountable. The seasoned and knowledgeable Palatine, 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 often seen type of bus accident in Illinois. In the United States, school bus accidents account for 40 percent of all fatal bus crashes. There are many parties who may be responsible if your child was harmed on a school bus:

• The bus driver. The majority of bus accidents are the result of driver error. Speeding, drunk driving, 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 crash.
• 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 an adequate background check when hiring the bus driver. We trust school districts with the safety of our children, and when they eschew their responsibility you need a relentless and knowledgeable bus accident attorney like the ones 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 neglect their duty and your child is hurt because of it, they owe you and your child damages.
• The Bus Manufacturer. As with any motor vehicle, an unsafe part that the manufacturer was aware of but did not recall is an example of product liability. If faulty parts were the cause of your child’s school bus accident, the manufacturer may be held responsible for your injuries.

The safety of your child should be predominant to everyone involved, and no matter the reason for your child’s bus accident, anyone who did not respect the rules and put them in harm’s way needs to pay. Your passionate and experienced Burger Law bus accident attorney of Palatine, IL will hold the liable parties accountable and make sure you win the compensation you deserve for your child’s injuries. If your child sustained injuries in a school bus accident because of someone else’s negligence, call us today at (314) 500-HURT for a complimentary case review and to take the first step in protecting 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 people who could possibly be injured because of negligence by a public body or the thoughtless actions of a public employee. While it is possible to sue a public or governmental entity, it does require a special procedure that your trusted and accomplished bus accident attorney will help you follow. In Illinois, 745 ILCS 10 supplies a level of sovereign immunity so that they are not held responsible for “operation of government.” Essentially, this means that the burden of proof when making a claim against a municipality or government employee is much higher, and your bus accident attorney must show an “actual or deliberate intention to cause harm” or “utter indifference to or disregard for the safety of others.” This is much different from standard negligence, such as a driver failing to check their blind spot. Call your Palatine, IL bus accident injury lawyer at (314) 500-HURT to see if you have a case against a governmental entity.

To file a claim against a government 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 injury transpired. If you file a notice first, the lawsuit needs to be filed no more than two years of the date of the accident. If you or a family member has been injured in a public transportation collision, there is no time to wait. Call the Palatine, IL bus accident lawyers at Burger Law immediately so we can start working on your case at once.

Common Carrier Bus Accidents

A common carrier is any entity or company that transports passengers or goods as a business available to the general public. In relation to bus crashes, these are usually private travel companies such as Greyhound that provide transport between cities and towns. They have the same responsibility any other entity does, such as hiring professional drivers, making sure the drivers are sufficiently trained, frequently inspecting and maintaining their bus fleet and not allowing their drivers to become sleepy behind the wheel. If they do not give their drivers appropriate rest, or do not inspect their vehicles adequately or conduct requisite repairs, they need to be held accountable for your injuries. Burger Law’s bus accident attorney team in Palatine, IL has dedicated their lives to fighting back against large corporations who think they do not have to compensate you for your injuries.

Accidents Where the Driver is At Fault

While certain supervising entities are at-fault for the maintenance of their buses, driver error is still the most common cause of bus wrecks that our bus accident attorney sees. You trust a bus driver to consider your safety their number one priority when you get on a bus, and when they break that trust and do not follow the rules, you need a persistent and experienced Palatine, IL bus accident attorney at Burger Law to hold them accountable and deliver you justice. A bus driver can be found 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 harmed because a bus driver did not take your safety as seriously as they should have, call Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT and we will demand that you the maximum compensation you are owed.

Common Injuries in Bus Accidents

Due to the sheer mass of buses and the force that the wrecks can carry, bus accident injuries are often much more severe than injuries sustained in a typical rear-end collision. You may experience anything from a sore-neck for a few days to permanent disabilities and life-threatening injuries. Here are some of the typical injuries Burger Law’s Palatine, 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

Whatever injury you received in your bus accident, if it takes place because of someone else’s recklessness or thoughtlessness, you will not need to go it alone in your recovery. Burger Law’s empathetic and devoted bus accident injury team is here for you to make sure you receive financial compensation for all of your damages. Contact us now for a free case evaluation 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 | Palatine, IL Bus Accident Attorney

In the immediate aftermath of a bus accident, you are likely shocked and fearful, not to mention possibly seriously injured. It can be confusing to understand what to do or how to proceed. Our Palatine, IL bus accident attorney knows how to proceed in order to ensure you get the medical treatment you need and the best result from your claim. Here are the primary steps you should take immediately after being injured in a bus accident, if you are able:

• Call 911. While Palatine, IL bus drivers are required to call 911 after a bus accident, you should do so yourself as well. Given the number of passengers on a bus and the force a bus accident carries, it is likely that somebody will require medical care – even possibly dozens of people. Offer aid to anybody who may require it.
• Get the Driver’s Information. Most bus companies will have a badge, ID number or other identifying information about the driver that is easy to get. At the very least you need to make sure you record the license plate number of the bus so that you have a record of who was driving.
• Talk to Eyewitnesses. Because there are often many passengers in a bus accident, finding witnesses should not be difficult and they will probably be very enthusiastic about cooperating. Often, injured passengers in a bus collision in Palatine, IL will use the same bus accident attorney to file their claim.
• Gather Other Evidence. Photographs are vital. Take pictures of every vehicle that was part of the crash as well as the Palatine, IL road and surroundings if it is safe to do so. You can jot down anything else you may find important, such as if the driver appeared drowsy or seemed drunk. Even seemingly unimportant details can be invaluable to your bus accident attorney when making your injury claim.
• Call Burger Law. When you hire a Burger Law Palatine, IL bus accident attorney, we manage all details of your case from our initial case evaluation to when you pick up your settlement check. Our bus accident attorney team insists that you collect full compensation for all of your damages.

We know the catastrophic reverberations a bus accident injury can have on your life and the lives of your family, and that is the reason we fight relentlessly until you get the best possible recovery you are owed. We have experience with every category of motor vehicle and bus accident case and will use our experience and savvy to hold the negligent parties accountable. We will make certain 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 harmed in a bus accident, call our Palatine, IL bus accident attorney team today at (314) 500-HURT to get started on your road to recovery.

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

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

HIRE OUR PALATINE, IL BUS ACCIDENT ATTORNEY TODAY

Palatine, IL Bus Accident Attorney | Burger Law

If you have sustained an injury in a bus accident, we know how you are feeling: afraid, unprotected and unsure about what the future holds for you and your loved ones. The best way to safeguard your future is to call one of Burger Law’s accomplished and compassionate bus accident attorney now. We have seen first hand the devastation that bus accident injuries can wreak on families, and we have committed our lives to making sure the individuals and families of Palatine, IL are fairly compensated for their damages. You do not have to feel by yourself. Burger Law will fight by your side from your first consultation until we win your case. Call us today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case review and to begin 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!

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