On Tuesday, July 3rd, a startling bus crash in downtown Chicago reminded all Chicagoans that bus accidents, while seemingly unlikely, can occur. The accident occurred early Tuesday afternoon when a car crashed into a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus. After colliding with the bus, which was traveling in the Gage Park area, the driver of the car was fatally injured. On the bus, four passengers and the bus driver suffered serious injuries requiring hospitalization. While all the bus occupants are now stable, the accident was a stirring reminder of the fact that CTA bus accidents, when they do occur, can be very dangerous. 

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), more than 1,000 motor coach accidents occur each year nationwide. In 2016 alone, 227 passengers lost their lives in bus accidents. If you or a loved one are injured in a bus accident, it is critically important to find the quality personal injury attorney that your family deserves. 

Nationwide Large Commercial Vehicle Trends 

A recent tragic accident between a school bus and dump truck in New Jersey reminded Americans nationwide of the inherent dangers of driving large commercial vehicles. In all, 43 students suffered injuries in the accident, while two bus occupants were killed. The accident occurred when the bus was struck by the dump truck while attempting a U-turn through a cut-through on New Jersey’s Interstate 80. Both drivers are under investigation for reckless and negligent driving. 

Due to the overall size of both school buses and commercial trucks, when accidents involving these vehicles occur, they come with increased severity. If a member of your family has been injured in an automobile accident involving large commercial vehicles, it is important to understand your options for pursuing compensation from the negligent party or parties. 

Commercial Trucking and Busing Statistics 

Fall is back to school season, and as students return to their studies, many of them will be traveling to and from school via bus. While school buses provide a number of safety features, children may still be at risk in school bus accidents.

In order to avoid injuries, drivers and parents should practice the following safety tips around school buses.

Safety Tips for Drivers

Earlier this year, an investigation by the Chicago-Sun Times found that in the past two years, Chicago Transit Authority buses were involved in more than 500 accidents. More than 1,000 people were injured and five people were killed as a result of the crashes.

The accidents are expensive as well — costing taxpayers a whopping $16 million in the form of lawsuit settlements and legal fees. During 2015 and 2016, there were 380 lawsuits filed against the CTA.

Recently, the CTA admitted fault for a 2015 crash in which a CTA bus ran a red light and hit a pedestrian. The pedestrian died in the accident. Because the CTA admitted fault, the agency will likely have to pay a settlement in the wrongful death case.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that approximately 450,000 public school buses transport 23.5 million children on our roadways each year, transporting them to and from school, as well as to and from special school activities. Still, school bus accidents and injuries abound, raising great cause for concern across our communities and educational institutions.

Why School Buses Are Safer than Cars

While the NHTSA reports that there are at least six school-age fatalities recorded every year, studies show that generally, school buses are still considered one of the safest modes of transportation on the road today. Between the years of 2003 and 2012, the NHTSA found that 174 school-age children died in school-related transportation accidents, but only 55 of those deaths were occupants of school buses.