Local police say that a Pace van attempted to make a left turn in Roseland last Monday when it was not safe to do so. As a result, the Pace van entered the path of a Cadillac and caused a collision, injuring eleven people. The collision occurred in the area of 111th and Wentworth in Chicago in the morning hours.
The Pace van was transporting as many as nine developmentally disabled adults at the time of the crash and the Pace driver was reportedly cited for failing to yield the right-of-way while turning left. The passengers of the Pace van were transported to area hospitals for examination where their conditions are not known, though it is believed that none were seriously injured.
The Cadillac was driven by a 55-year-old who was injured in the accident, as was a child passenger in the Cadillac. Both were taken to the hospital and were listed in stable condition.
The intersection where this accident occurred is small and controlled by a traffic light. It is not yet clear exactly how the crash occurred and whether the cars were on the same road at the time of impact. What is clear is that the actions of the Pace van driver placed the lives of her passengers as well as the lives of those in the other vehicle in danger. Through her negligence, eleven people were injured and had to be taken to the hospital.
People often think that they are safer while traveling by public transit than when they are in private vehicles. This sense of safety can be errant as crashes happen frequently between buses and vans used by the public. When these accidents occur, they are likely to result in injuries because often safety devices, including seat belts, are not present or are not used.
The fact remains that when you board a bus or a van driven by another, you place your safety in that driver’s hands. Any mistake the driver makes can result in a collision that may lead to injuries or even death. This is the reason that there are strict laws governing the conduct of public transit drivers, including those who drive Pace buses, and that the insurance for these entities can be particularly difficult and confusing.
With most Pace bus accidents, there is insurance coverage available to pay for injuries sustained through the negligence of a Pace employee. Therefore those passengers within the Pace bus as well as the driver and passenger in the Cadillac may have a claim against Pace for their damages sustained in this collision.
Similarly, if you have been injured in an accident with a Pace bus, call the Chicago bus accident attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. today to learn if you have a claim. We provide a free, no obligation telephone consultation to all injured victims and we have an attorney standing by 24 hours a day to take your call. Call us locally at (312) 924-7575 or toll free at (855) 529-2442 and let us help you get a recovery you deserve.
Prior Blog Entries:
Abels & Annes, P.C. Settles Car Accident Case for $100,000, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published June 24, 2013.
Motorcyclist Killed in Lakeview Crash, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published June 21, 2013.
Resources:
PACE Van Driver Causes Crash on South Side, CBS Chicago, published June 24, 2013.