To a lot of parents, school buses seem like an easy, safe way for their children to travel to and from school or to after school events. Buses are standard in many districts in Chicago and Illinois and a lot of parents do not think twice about having their children use a school bus. Most of the time, buses prove to be a safe means of transit for children and their parents and can be very helpful to those who may have no other way to get their kids to school.
But like other vehicles, school buses are involved in accidents from time to time. When a school bus collision occurs, those on board or those in another vehicle involved in the impact may sustain injuries. If the bus is crowded, dozens of students on board may be at risk for potential injuries ranging from bumps and bruises to broken bones and head injuries. In the worst of the Chicago-area school bus accidents, children may lose their lives.
The laws that govern traffic accidents in Chicago are designed to hold an at-fault driver responsible for the injuries caused in a collision. This means that a minor injured in a school bus crash may be entitled to relief for the damages sustained, including pain and suffering, scarring, and the cost of medical bills incurred to be incurred in the future. Speaking with a lawyer who handles school bus accident cases in Chicago may help you understand whether your child has a valid claim if your family has been affected by a crash.
Authorities in Chicago were alerted to a school bus accident this morning and responded to A.N. Pritzker School on West Schilling Street to investigate. When they arrived, they determined that nine children were hurt and needed to be transported to area hospitals for treatment. Five of the nine were taken to Norwegian-American Hospital while the remaining four children were treated at St. Mary Medical Center. All nine children were expected to recover.
Police are still trying to determine exactly what happened, what vehicles were involved, and whether a mistake on the part of anyone involved in the crash contributed to the accident. Their investigation is ongoing at this time and it is not known whether any traffic tickets will be issued as a result of the incident.
School bus accidents can be scary. Children may be far away from their parents, hurt and in pain, and in need of medical attention. Often, the full extent of the minor’s injuries are not immediately apparent in the moments immediately following a collision. But when a child is hurt due to the negligence or recklessness of another, that child and his or her family may be entitled to relief.
The personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. have helped numerous victims of bus accidents seek the recoveries they deserved. The Abels & Annes, P.C. legal team is standing by to help you do the same. We offer a free case consultation to all those who call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we provide it without any obligation on your part. Everything discussed will be kept confidential and we are always standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to take your call. At Abels & Annes, P.C., if we do not make a recovery on behalf of a client, we do not charge a fee. If your child has been injured, call us today and let us help you get relief.
Prior Blog Entry:
3 Vehicle Crash in Crystal Lake Kills 1, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published April 29, 2014.
Resource:
9 kids taken to hospitals after minor school bus crash, by Carlos Sadovi, Chicago Tribune, published May 15, 2014.