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The ability to travel through the Windy City is important for the people in and around Chicago. To that end, the Chicago Transit Authority operates and maintains trains and buses for Chicago’s many residents and visitors. The CTA uses more than 1,800 buses, running 129 routes over 1,536 miles. Buses make about 19,000 daily stops at nearly 11,000 bus stops.
But the system isn’t perfect. Bus accidents happen, and passengers and passersby can be hurt. The team at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., is ready to hear your story.
Call (312) 236-2900 to schedule your free consultation.
Some cases with government agencies don’t qualify for a claim or lawsuit.
Many municipal organizations are protected from lawsuits under “tort immunity” laws. In most civil cases, these laws restrict the liability of certain government entities and their employees. They are meant to prevent trivial lawsuits that could cost the individual or government unnecessary expenses.
However, CTA buses are “common carriers.” Because the CTA was created by the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act and the bus line accepts payment for a service, the organization is excluded from tort immunity. The CTA takes responsibility for the safety of its passengers. While you won’t automatically be granted a settlement, you can still pursue one against the transit authority for their negligence.
In Illinois, a common carrier is a transportation service that carries passengers for a fee and is held to a higher legal duty of care. The CTA qualifies as a common carrier and must take extra precautions to ensure passenger safety. This legal distinction is important because it excludes the CTA from certain immunity protections and allows injured passengers to pursue claims for negligence.
Act fast if you’re thinking about filing a claim. In Illinois, personal injury lawsuits typically have a two-year statute of limitations. However, when the CTA is involved, you must file a formal notice of claim within one year of the accident. Failing to meet this deadline can bar you from seeking compensation.
Yes. Suing the CTA or any public agency in Illinois comes with strict requirements. Before you can file a lawsuit, you must submit a formal notice of claim within one year of the accident. Failing to meet this requirement can prevent you from recovering compensation—even if the CTA was clearly at fault. These rules apply to all claims involving public entities in Illinois.
Chicago’s transit authority oversees inner-city bus travel. Demand for bus service is high, with more than 800,000 weekly passengers using the CTA. This demand also lends itself to more opportunities for bus crashes.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported nearly 5,000 crashes involving buses and large commercial vehicles in 2020. 11% of those bus crashes were in cities.
With over 1,800 buses and 1,400 train cars navigating Chicago’s streets and rails, the CTA is essential—but not infallible. Mechanical failures, human error, and heavy congestion can lead to serious injuries and tragic losses.
Train derailments—though rare—still occur. In a 2014 Blue Line crash at O’Hare, the train operator fell asleep, and the train plowed into an escalator. Thankfully it happened during early hours, or the outcome could have been deadly.
People also get injured falling onto L tracks or crossing where they shouldn’t. Despite signals and gates, these tragic moments often involve split-second misjudgments or distractions—and the CTA may still be partially liable for station safety lapses.
On the streets, CTA buses regularly navigate tight corners, dense pedestrian traffic, and impatient drivers. And while most operators are trained professionals, even momentary lapses in judgment can have catastrophic consequences given the size and speed of these vehicles.
Whether you were hurt on a CTA bus, struck as a pedestrian, or injured near a rail station, contact our CTA accident lawyers today. We know how to hold the Transit Authority accountable—and we won’t back down.
Examples of CTA accidents include:
If a loved one dies in a CTA-related accident caused by negligence, surviving family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim under Illinois law. These claims allow families to pursue compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the emotional toll of losing a loved one.
Not every accident is caused by a bus driver. However, these accidents can still stem from operator failure and cause significant losses for passengers, and people hurt in the surrounding area. Determining what contributed to your accident will let you and your lawyer know where to file an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Common causes of CTA accidents include:
Like other accidents, CTA bus crash victims could experience various injuries. Each case is unique, but you could experience several injuries, including:
Finding the people responsible for your injuries after a crash involving a public transportation bus can be challenging. Narrowing down any liable parties can help you and your lawyer start your accident claim or know where to pursue a lawsuit.
Liable parties to a CTA accident could include:
To file a claim against the CTA, you must first submit a formal notice of claim to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. This notice must include your name, the date of the accident, the injuries you suffered, and who treated them. After submitting the notice, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in court.
Your next steps depend on who caused your injuries:
If another driver is at fault, file a claim against their auto insurance.
If the CTA is responsible, you must file a notice of claim with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. This document must include your name, address, accident date, injury details, and the treating physician.
After filing your notice, you typically have two years to bring a lawsuit. Working with an experienced Chicago CTA accident attorney can help you gather evidence and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Under Illinois personal injury law, you can pursue compensation for the losses caused by someone’s negligent or reckless actions. That means you can seek payment for your economic and non-economic losses. A lawyer can help you calculate the value of your claim.
Your economic losses are your out-of-pocket expenses. These are the damages that are a direct result of the accident. Your medical bills, property repairs, or lost wages qualify as economic losses.
Your non-economic losses are your conceptual damages caused by your economic losses. These losses are challenging to calculate because they deal with pain and suffering, anguish, and loss of consortium. They are the losses you’ve experienced as a direct result of your economic losses.
After a CTA accident, your safety and documentation are key.
Follow the driver’s instructions and seek safety.
Call 911 and report the crash.
Collect evidence – photos, videos, and contact info from witnesses.
Get medical care, even if you feel fine.
Keep records – hospital visits, bills, and accident-related expenses.
Your documentation will help your attorney build a strong claim and counter any CTA efforts to deny responsibility.
CTA accidents can cause tremendous damage, and getting assistance from an experienced Chicago CTA accident lawyer is a sure way to get the compensation you require to be made whole. The team at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., are ready to hear your story and fight for you to get the money you deserve.
We know the Chicago Transit Authority can seem menacing. They’re a city organization with considerable legal resources. We’re here to ensure you get a fair chance at getting the help and compensation you need after a CTA bus accident.
Call (312) 236-2900 or use our contact form to schedule your free consultation.
When you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
We’re ready to fight for you. We’re ready to be your ally. And we’re ready to start right now. Don’t waste time, contact our law offices today.
FREE CASE EVALUATION – (312) 236-2900Serious injuries don’t happen on a 9-to-5 schedule, which is why we are always available to help if you have been hurt. Our team is available around the clock to provide the support you need.
