On Friday, November 11, 2011, numerous people were injured when a CTA bus struck a light pole at approximately 4:00 p.m. at 95th and Cottage Grove in Chicago, Illinois.

Bus drivers and bus companies owe their passengers a duty of care to avoid causing injuries to their passengers and situations can turn into severe hazards and extraordinary damages when an accident occurs involving such a large vehicle.

As stated previously by us in another posting, the law requires bus drivers–like other motorists–to exercise due care and caution and to follow the “rules of the road” and Illinois law so that a lawsuit for negligence will not be brought against him/her/them for some or all of the following (but not necessarily limited to):

• Carelessly and negligently operating, managing, maintaining, and/or controlling a vehicle;
• Carelessly and negligently operating a motor vehicle at a rate of speed which was greater than reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions and the use of the highway, or which was greater than the applicable speed limit established in violation of the revised Statutes of the State of Illinois;
• Carelessly and negligently failing to equip a motor vehicle with proper brakes although such a device was necessary to insure the safe operation of the vehicle;
• Carelessly and negligently failing to keep a proper lookout and to stop or alter the course of a motor vehicle to avoid striking the vehicle (or a light pole or anything that can cause injuries); and/or
• Being otherwise careless and negligent (simply not paying attention).

If you are in a crash such as this with a CTA bus or any other type of crash, the Illinois Secretary of State has a checklist it suggests here:

Crash Checklist

If you are involved in or come upon a traffic crash:

• Stop your vehicle in a safe, well-lighted public place.
• Help an injured person if necessary or requested. First, protect the person from traffic, then cover the injured person for comfort and to avoid shock. Do not move an injured person unless absolutely necessary. Do not attempt to give first aid unless you have been trained in it. Call 911 immediately.
• Someone should warn other drivers, using flares if available.
• Ask all those involved for their names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers and license plate numbers.
• Notify the nearest police station as quickly as possible.

Further, make sure your children are safe and secure and if you are in an automobile accident or an accident such as this with a CTA bus as a passenger, get all the information possible immediately and take notes. Then contact an attorney immediately to preserve your rights. Do not talk to any insurance people without an attorney present. You can contact us here 24/7/365 (and we really mean that as we will answer our phone) if you have any questions and to learn how we may be able to help you.