There are several different parties who may be held liable for a bus accident. For example, bus drivers, bus companies, and third-party drivers may all be at fault. Our attorneys can help victims seek payment for the injuries they sustained.
There are multiple categories of monetary damages available to plaintiffs in bus accident lawsuits. Injured parties can recover both economic and non-economic damages related to the harm they incurred. However, defendants may employ various strategies to refute key elements of plaintiffs’ cases.
If you were hurt because of a bus accident in Rockford, IL, get help building your case. Get in touch with our experienced Rockford bus accident lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502. Our attorneys can review your case for free.
Who to Sue After a Bus Accident in Rockford, IL
At-fault parties can be sued for bus accidents they cause. However, there are many different parties who may be at-fault for such a crash. Our Rockford bus accident lawyers can help victims assess the liability of each of the following parties:
- Bus drivers
- Bus companies
- Third-party drivers
- Bus mechanics
- Manufacturers of defective parts
- Local government entities
There are countless forms of negligence that can lead to injurious bus accidents. Accordingly, determining who is at fault for your crash can be a difficult task. The guidance and support of our attorneys can be highly valuable when investigating the cause of your collision and determining who to sue.
Time Limit to File a Bus Accident Lawsuit in Rockford, IL
Time limits to file specific types of cases are governed by states’ statutes of limitations. According to 735 I.L.C.S. 5/13-202, injured parties will usually have two years from the date of a bus accident to file their lawsuits. Failure to adhere to this deadline could cause you to miss out on compensation. Fortunately, you can contact our Rockford bus accident lawyers for help filing your case on time.
Furthermore, important evidence can become difficult to gather as time passes. For instance, pertinent details surrounding your crash can be forgotten, and physical evidence can be misplaced. The sooner you contact our attorneys, the more easily we may collect and preserve the information needed to win your case.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Rockford, IL
Uncovering the cause of your bus accident is a crucial step towards recovering compensation for your injuries. Our Rockford bus accident lawyers can help determine if your crash stems from one of the following sources:
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
A significant number of bus accidents occur because of poor vehicle maintenance. When bus companies act negligently in the maintenance of their vehicles, serious crashes can occur. For example, a devastating collision may occur because a bus company did not change their vehicle’s heavily used tires. Furthermore, a harmful crash may happen because a bus company did not tend to their vehicle’s worn-out brakes. Fortunately, our attorneys can help hold bus companies responsible for accidents caused by poor vehicle maintenance.
Tired Drivers
A great number of bus accidents are caused by mistakes made by tired drivers. Bus drivers may be asked to remain on the roads for extended periods of time. When these drivers become tired, they are prone to making costly mistakes. For instance, a tired bus driver may cause a devastating collision with a pedestrian because they failed to yield the right-of-way. After such accidents, cases may be filed against the at-fault bus drivers and their employers. Our experienced Rockford bus accident lawyers can help injured parties determine the appropriate path to compensation.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is another common cause of bus accidents in Rockford, IL. Drivers can become distracted when they take their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or attention away from the task of driving. The following are common examples of activities that can distract drivers:
- Talking on the phone
- Talking with passengers
- Texting
- Eating or drinking
- Viewing social media on a mobile device
Fortunately, distracted drivers can be held accountable for crashes they cause. Our attorneys can help gather evidence to prove that distracted drivers are at fault.
Defective Parts
Furthermore, some bus accidents occur because vehicles were equipped with defective and dangerous parts. For instance, a bus may suffer a devastating collision because of malfunctioning engine components or a faulty braking system. In such cases, negligent manufacturers can be sued for accidents caused by their defective parts.
However, pursuing compensation from a defective product’s manufacturer can be a complicated task. Copious amounts of evidence often necessary to prove that certain products were defective. Accordingly, the assistance of our experienced Rockford bus accident lawyers can be very helpful when building your case against a defective product’s manufacturer.
Illegal Lane Changes
Illegal lane changes are also a common cause of bus accidents in Rockford. Illegal lane changes can happen when drivers change lanes without using their turn signals or change lanes in improper areas. Such accidents often occur on highways and in areas with heightened traffic congestion. Victims may incur a wide range of severe injuries. Our Rockford bus accident lawyers can help hold at-fault motorists accountable for collisions caused by illegal lane changes.
Speeding
Lastly, speeding is also a common source of bus accidents in Rockford. At high speeds, busses can become extraordinarily difficult to control. For instance, speeding bus drivers can cause accidents by veering out of their lanes and disobeying traffic signals. Furthermore, accidents that occur at high speeds are more likely to lead to serious harm. If you were involved in a bus accident caused by a speeding driver, you should contact our attorneys for help determining the proper course of action. Our team of experienced lawyers can help fight for the monetary damages you deserve.
If You Were Injured Because of a Bus Accident in Rockford, IL, Our Attorneys Can Help
If you were hurt because of a bus accident, seek guidance and support from our experienced Rockford bus accident lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 to review your case for free.
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