Chicago Bus Accident Lawyer
When bus companies cut corners, fail to maintain their fleets, or put unsafe drivers behind the wheel, they put the lives of passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists at risk.
Negligent bus operators like the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), private bus companies, and charter services must be held accountable for the harm they cause.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, you deserve justice. Your case demands a legal team with the resources, experience, and drive to go up against bus operators and government agencies and win.
You need the Chicago bus accident lawyers at Ankin Law. We have:
- Over 150 years of combined experience in personal injury law
- More than 90 attorneys and staff members
- Proven success in state and federal courts
- Hundreds of millions recovered for injured victims
- The legal power to help you demand full accountability
Call (312) 600-0000 now. Free consultations are available to get your claim started. There’s no fee unless you win.
“Bus companies know how to protect themselves after a crash. We move fast, find out what happened, and make sure our clients are not left paying the price for someone else’s negligence.”
— Attorney Howard Ankin
Table of Contents
Why Hire Ankin Law for Your Bus Accident Case?
Many Chicago law firms are not prepared or equipped to navigate the legal maze bus companies create to avoid accountability after a serious accident. Their legal teams will throw in every roadblock they can to deny, delay, and devalue your claim, creating so much pressure and red tape that many victims and their lawyers simply throw in the towel.
At Ankin Law, our bus accident attorneys understand the challenges people face when going up against bus companies, public transit agencies, and insurers, and we fight back.
- We leverage our extensive network of resources to push for full accountability.
- We know the tricks insurance companies use to try to pay you less.
- We’ve represented over 20,000 injured clients in Illinois
We’ve Recovered Hundreds of Millions of Dollars on Behalf of Our Clients
Bus accident cases can get big fast. The injuries are serious. The companies are powerful. The insurance carriers know how to protect their money. That is why the law firm you choose matters.
You need a law firm with the legal firepower to make sure your injuries are taken seriously. At Ankin Law, we build every case with the evidence, resources, and legal pressure to make the other side pay attention. Our case results speak for themselves.
Every multi-million dollar verdict we’ve secured started with a free consultation. Call Ankin Law now. (312) 600-0000.
How We Can Help You Recover Compensation
If you’ve suffered severe injuries in a bus accident, you may be facing ongoing medical treatments, mounting bills, lost income, and a long recovery. You’re also dealing with the physical and emotional toll of a crash that should not have happened. You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s negligence.
Our experienced bus accident attorneys take over every aspect of your case so you can focus on healing. We investigate the cause of your crash, preserve evidence, and bring your case to trial if that’s what it takes.
Investigating the Cause of the Bus Accident
Determining what caused your bus accident is key to making sure the right parties pay for the harm they caused.
Ankin Law doesn’t rely on anyone else’s version of events. We launch our own investigation to uncover the truth. This means analyzing the bus company’s maintenance records, reviewing driver logs and qualification records, examining accident reports, interviewing witnesses, and working with accident reconstructionists and top industry experts. Whether the crash was caused by driver negligence, mechanical failure, or poor fleet maintenance, we will expose the truth and make sure those responsible are held accountable.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Bus companies and their insurers will go to great lengths to minimize or deny your claim. We won’t let them control the story.
Our team will identify every loss you’ve suffered, from medical expenses and lost wages to pain, suffering, future care needs, and the long-term impact of your injuries. We demand full accountability from those responsible. We don’t back down, and we don’t settle for less than you deserve.
Taking Your Case to Court If Necessary
If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we’re ready to go to court.
We are skilled litigators, and we have the experience and resources to take on these powerful bus companies, government agencies, and insurers in state and federal courts. We won’t hesitate to go to trial if that’s what it takes to win your case, and we won’t stop until justice is served.
What Our Clients Say About Us
My life was upended when I was struck by a car going 35 MPH while walking across the street. My tibia was dislodged at the knee, requiring major leg surgery. It was a difficult recovery with great pain and discomfort and almost five months of physical therapy. When I was in the hospital, I contacted Ankin Law to represent me. From the moment of initial contact and throughout the entire process I felt like I made the right choice as everyone I came into contact at Ankin was very friendly, caring and helpful, special thanks to Cynthia. Matt Friedman was the attorney assigned to my case. It was a pleasure working with Matt, he did a great job in explaining how things work and proceed in a case of this nature and was always very responsive to me. In less than eight months, Matt secured the highest possible insurance settlement that was available. I am writing this review on Thanksgiving morning, and I am so thankful that I didn’t sustain further injuries upon the accident, and so very thankful that Ankin Law represented me.
Common Causes of Chicago Bus Accidents
Bus “accidents” are not just random occurrences. They happen because people get careless or reckless. They result from negligence, safety oversights, and avoidable errors. Whether they’re caused by an irresponsible driver, inadequately maintained vehicles, or companies sacrificing safety for profit, these incidents are rarely true accidents.
When bus companies, drivers, or other responsible parties fail to prioritize safety, innocent people pay the price. Some of the most common causes of bus accidents we see include the following.
Bus Driver Negligence and Human Error
Bus drivers are responsible for the safety of their passengers and everyone on the road, but too often, reckless decisions and careless mistakes lead to crashes. Speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, and driving under the influence can all put lives at risk.
Because buses are large, heavy vehicles with wider blind spots and longer stopping distances, even one bad decision can cause serious harm. When a driver fails to operate the bus safely, they and the company that hired them must be held accountable.
Poor Bus Maintenance and Mechanical Failures
Bus companies are legally required to inspect, repair, and maintain their fleets, but many of them fail to uphold these obligations. Brake failures, tire blowouts, engine malfunctions, and steering system defects can cause catastrophic accidents.
When bus operators cut corners on maintenance to save money, they gamble with people’s lives. Maintenance records, inspection reports, and repair histories can become key evidence in proving what went wrong and who should pay for it.
Bus Company Negligence and Unsafe Policies
Bus companies often prioritize profits over safety. They push drivers to work long hours, ignore safety regulations, and skip inspections. Some even fail to conduct background checks or put poorly trained drivers behind the wheel.
Some companies know their buses are unsafe, but they keep them on the road anyway. Others ignore complaints, overlook prior violations, or pressure drivers to meet unrealistic schedules. When those decisions lead to injuries or deaths, the company must be held accountable.
Dangerous Road Conditions and Infrastructure Failures
Poorly designed intersections, construction zones, narrow streets, missing signs, damaged pavement, potholes, poor lighting, and malfunctioning traffic signals can contribute to serious bus crashes.
Large buses are harder to maneuver and stop safely when road conditions are poorly designed or badly maintained.
In these cases, a government agency, municipality, or contractor responsible for road maintenance may be liable.
Collisions at Bus Stops and Pedestrian Crossings
Bus stops, crosswalks, intersections, and bus lanes are high-risk areas for passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. People entering or exiting a bus have little protection when a driver, transit company, or roadway authority fails to keep the area safe.
Reckless driving, failure to yield, improper bus stop placement, poor visibility, and unsafe roadway design can lead to devastating pedestrian strikes, bus stop crashes, and fatal injuries.
Whether the fault lies with a negligent driver, unsafe road conditions, or a poorly designed transit system, the responsible party must be held accountable.
Bus Accident Statistics
Nearly 2,000 bus accidents happen in Chicago each year, many resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. In 2023 alone, 1,862 large bus crashes in the city left 386 people injured.
- In Chicago, 386 people suffered injuries in 1,862 accidents with buses that had more than 15 seats in 2023.
- There were 643 accidents involving buses with 9 to 15 seats in Chicago that year, injuring 92 people.
- In Cook County in 2023, there were 3,146 bus accidents that injured 554 people.
- Collisions between buses and other motor vehicles are responsible for most bus accident injuries (43%) and fatalities (51%).
- 40% of bus accidents involving pedestrians or other motor vehicles happen in intersections.
These crashes aren’t just statistics. They represent real people whose lives have been turned upside down by preventable tragedies.
Determining Liability in Bus Accidents
Determining liability in bus accidents is usually more complicated than it is in standard car accident cases because public transportation providers, like the Chicago Transit Authority, bus companies, and operating agencies are “common carriers” in Illinois. As such, they owe their passengers a higher degree of care compared to the level of care owed by drivers of personal vehicles. If they fail to uphold their duty of care, they can be deemed liable for injuries and deaths.
While common carrier laws are important for protecting passengers, they also add challenges when it comes to determining bus accident liability. This is especially true when multiple parties play a role in causing a crash.
At Ankin Law, we do not stop at the obvious answer. We investigate every party that may have contributed to the crash, because identifying all sources of liability can make a major difference in your case. The parties that can be held liable in bus accidents include the following.
Bus Companies and Public Transit Operators
Bus companies and public transit agencies, including the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Pace, Greyhound, private carriers, and charter bus companies, are responsible for hiring qualified drivers, enforcing safety rules, and keeping their vehicles safe.
When these companies ignore safety violations, fail to train drivers, skip inspections, or allow unsafe buses on the road, they must be held accountable.
School Districts
School districts and private school transportation providers are responsible for protecting children on school buses. That means hiring safe drivers, maintaining buses, responding to complaints, and enforcing strict safety standards.
If a district or transportation provider cuts corners and a child, pedestrian, or another driver is seriously injured, they may be liable.
Bus Drivers
Bus drivers can cause serious accidents when they speed, drive distracted, operate a bus while tired, drive under the influence, make unsafe turns, or fail to follow traffic laws.
Because buses are large vehicles with wider blind spots and longer stopping distances, careless driving can cause devastating injuries. When a driver’s negligence causes a CTA bus accident, charter bus accident, or school bus crash, both the driver and the employer may be responsible.
Government Agencies and Municipalities
Dangerous intersections, broken traffic signals, missing signs, poor lighting, damaged pavement, and unsafe road design can all contribute to bus crashes.
When a government agency, city, state, or transportation authority is responsible for the unsafe condition, holding them accountable requires fast action. These claims often involve strict procedures and shorter deadlines, but with the right legal team, they can be pursued.
Maintenance Contractors and Equipment Manufacturers
Bus fleets require regular inspections, repairs, and replacement parts. If a maintenance company fails to properly service a bus, or if a manufacturer produces defective brakes, tires, doors, steering systems, or other unsafe parts, they may be liable for the crash.
These cases often require a close review of maintenance records, inspection reports, repair histories, and defective equipment.
The Drivers of Other Vehicles
Not every bus accident is caused by the bus driver. Other motorists can cause or contribute to crashes by running red lights, texting behind the wheel, speeding, driving drunk, making unsafe lane changes, or failing to yield.
If another driver’s negligence caused the crash, that driver may be financially responsible for the injuries and damage they caused.
Spotlight on Bus Accidents in Chicago
Recent bus crashes in Chicago and the surrounding area show a troubling pattern: passengers, students, pedestrians, and other drivers can be put in danger when bus operators, transportation companies, government agencies, or other motorists fail to act safely. These incidents also show why bus accident claims often require fast investigation, access to records, and a legal team that knows how to hold the right parties accountable.
In May 2026, nine people were hospitalized after a crash involving two CTA buses and a Subaru sedan near West Lake Street and Homan Avenue in Chicago. Police said the Subaru driver ran a red light and struck a southbound CTA bus, which then hit a northbound CTA bus. Seven passengers were injured, the Subaru driver was hospitalized, and the driver of the second CTA bus was initially listed in critical condition. Multiple citations were issued to the Subaru driver.
In November 2025, more than 30 students were hospitalized after three school buses crashed near Midway Plaisance and Dorchester Avenue in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. The buses were carrying Meadow Ridge Elementary School students from Orland Park on a field trip. Reports said 31 students and one adult were transported to nearby hospitals.
In November 2024, an investigation found that Culvers Transportation, which had been transporting Chicago area students in multiple districts for years, was operating without insurance. The lack of insurance was discovered after a school bus accident with another motor vehicle caused severe injuries to the other driver. The same company had been barred from providing services to Chicago Public Schools in 2017, because of multiple failed safety inspections. Some of the buses reportedly were missing crossarms and emergency exit door handles, and had cracked windshields and shredded tires.
In October 2024, a school bus crashed into a semi-truck in North Chicago, causing extensive damage to the truck and the bus, and injuring four adults. No children were on the bus. According to North Chicago Assistant Police Chief Gary Lunn, the bus driver who rear-ended the semi was at fault for the school bus accident.
In June 2024, a CTA bus struck eleven other vehicles and at least one building in Bridgeport, before coming to a stop just past a busy intersection. Video evidence also captured the bus veering erratically, mounting a curb, and snapping a light pole. It then struck a tree, and plowed through bike racks. At least five people suffered injuries in the CTA bus accident. Three were in serious to critical condition.
Three school buses were involved in a crash on I-55 in Grundy County in May 2024. According to reports, the buses, which were carrying between 20 and 30 children each, rear-ended each other. The bus driver operating the bus in the back failed to stop in time as traffic slowed, crashing into the middle bus and causing a chain reaction school bus crash. Ten children and two teachers were taken to area hospitals for their injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bus Accident Claims
How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Claim?
In Illinois, the deadline to file a bus accident lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the crash. That deadline can be much shorter if the case involves a government entity, such as the CTA, Pace, a school district, or a municipality.
Do not wait to find out which deadline applies. Bus accident evidence can disappear quickly, including surveillance footage, maintenance records, driver logs, and witness information. The sooner Ankin Law gets involved, the sooner we can move to protect your claim.
What if I Was a Passenger on the Bus?
If you were injured as a bus passenger, you may have a claim against the bus driver, the transit agency, the bus company, another driver, a maintenance contractor, or another responsible party. You do not have to know who caused the crash before calling a lawyer.
Ankin Law investigates what happened, identifies every liable party, and fights to make sure injured passengers are not left paying for someone else’s negligence.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if Another Driver Caused the Bus Crash?
Yes. Many bus accidents happen because another motorist was speeding, distracted, impaired, or otherwise driving negligently. In those situations, you may still have a claim even if the bus driver did nothing wrong.
Bus crashes often involve multiple insurance policies and multiple parties. Ankin Law investigates the facts, identifies everyone who may be responsible, and pursues every available source of recovery under Illinois law.
How Much Is My Bus Accident Case Worth?
The value of a bus accident case depends on the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, future care needs, and whether the crash caused permanent disability or wrongful death.
Insurance companies will look for ways to pay less. Ankin Law builds the evidence, documents the full impact of your injuries, and fights for maximum recovery under Illinois law.