Here to help you after an accident
Bus Accident Lawyers Southern Illinois
Bus Accident Lawyer Southern Illinois. Whether going to school or heading to work, traveling to another city or heading to an event with a group, there are many reasons why people in Southern Illinois hop on a bus every day. And while buses are usually a safe means of transportation, between buses being much heavier than most other road-going vehicles, many not having seatbelts, and being filled with passengers, when buses get into accidents, passenger injuries are usually much more severe. In addition, bus accident cases can be much more complicated than a regular car accident injury claim because of complex liability issues.
For more than 70 years, the Illinois personal injury attorneys at Hassakis & Hassakis have helped Southern Illinois residents get the compensation they deserve following any type of accident. Call us today at 618-244-5335 or contact us online to speak with an attorney and schedule a free, no-obligation review of your Illinois bus accident case.
Common Injuries In Bus Accidents
- Head/brain injuries
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries/paralysis
- Internal injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Lost limbs
- Wrongful death
Bus Accident Injury Lawyers in Southern Illinois
Injury Law Practice Areas
When you have been injured in a bus accident, you want to work with a personal injury attorney you can trust, one that will get you the best possible outcome for your case. The attorneys of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. are accomplished lawyers in all areas of personal injury law and have been trusted by the Southern Illinois community for generations. With your best interests at heart and a track record of successfully helping Illinois families recover from devastating events by obtaining the compensation they deserve, the personal injury lawyers of Hassakis & Hassakis offer the best legal representation available for you and your family after you have been injured in a car accident, workplace accident, dog bite, or any other type of personal injury.
Here to help you after an accident
Bus Accident Lawyers Southern Illinois
Bus Accident Lawyer Southern Illinois. Whether going to school or heading to work, traveling to another city or heading to an event with a group, there are many reasons why people in Southern Illinois hop on a bus every day. And while buses are usually a safe means of transportation, between buses being much heavier than most other road-going vehicles, many not having seatbelts, and being filled with passengers, when buses get into accidents, passenger injuries are usually much more severe. In addition, bus accident cases can be much more complicated than a regular car accident injury claim because of complex liability issues.
For more than 70 years, the Illinois personal injury attorneys at Hassakis & Hassakis have helped Southern Illinois residents get the compensation they deserve following any type of accident. Call us today at 618-244-5335 or contact us online to speak with an attorney and schedule a free, no-obligation review of your Illinois bus accident case.
Common Injuries In Bus Accidents
- Head/brain injuries
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries/paralysis
- Internal injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Lost limbs
- Wrongful death
Medical Malpractice
View Case TypeWrongful Death
View Case TypeBus Accident Injury Lawyers in Southern Illinois
Injury Law Practice Areas
When you have been injured in a bus accident, you want to work with a personal injury attorney you can trust, one that will get you the best possible outcome for your case. The attorneys of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. are accomplished lawyers in all areas of personal injury law and have been trusted by the Southern Illinois community for generations. With your best interests at heart and a track record of successfully helping Illinois families recover from devastating events by obtaining the compensation they deserve, the personal injury lawyers of Hassakis & Hassakis offer the best legal representation available for you and your family after you have been injured in a car accident, workplace accident, dog bite, or any other type of personal injury.
Car Accident
View Case TypeTruck Accident
View Case TypePremises Liability
View Case TypeWorkers’ Compensation
View Case TypePut expert attorneys in your corner
Why Bus Accident Cases Are Different
Bus accidents and rollovers are some of the most complex auto accident cases we handle. Not only are the injuries associated with bus crashes more serious than those involved in a typical car fender bender, these cases can also be muddied with complex liability issues.
For example, the bus driver may not be the only one at fault for negligence; the bus management company, the bus maintenance company, or the equipment parts manufacturer are just a few of the other entities that can be held liable in a bus accident case in Illinois.
Furthermore, liability may also change depending on the type of bus that caused your injury. For example:
- School bus—In many cases, liability will lie with the school board or the school district in which the bus operated; however, if the district hired a private company to provide services, the company can be held liable. A school bus accident attorney in Southern Illinois can help you determine the responsible party in these types of situations.
- Public bus—Liability for buses operated in municipalities, cities, or counties is usually limited to that specific government. However, once again, some jurisdictions may outsource bus services to private contractors and, therefore, the contractor and/or government could be liable. Bringing a personal injury case against a government entity is far different than a typical car accident claim against an insurance company, which is why you need the help of a bus accident attorney.
- Private or charter bus—Private or charter buses usually include major bus companies in the country such as Amtrak, Coach, Greyhound, and more. Negligent accidents usually result in liability for the company and its insurers. As charter buses are a multimillion-dollar industry, the insurance companies that represent them often employ an army of attorneys that work tirelessly to lessen or dismantle your claim. Let our personal injury attorneys help safeguard your rights.
- Tour bus—Liability in a tour bus accident can often be difficult to determine. For instance, if a group of tourists employed the services of a tour bus, then the management company and/or driver could be held liable. Or, if a third-party group hired the tour bus for another group of people, the intermediary might also be liable.
Because buses are considered common carriers that transport everyday people or goods, their drivers—and the companies who employ them—must operate at a higher standard of care. This means they often have lower thresholds for liability. If any party is found to be neglectful in their duty to innocent, everyday individuals out on the road, they should be held accountable for any injuries or property damage.
Know The Facts About Bus Accidents
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which regulates buses in the United States, there were about 25,000 people injured in bus crashes, with about 15,000 buses involved in those crashes. These accidents led to 274 total fatalities, but it is important to note that only 44 of those fatalities were bus passengers, with the rest being either pedestrians or drivers of passenger cars. 93 of these fatal crashes involved transit buses, 73 involved a school bus, with the rest split between motor coaches, Greyhound or similar intercity buses, and smaller buses that use a van chassis.
Common causes of bus accidents include:
- Distracted driving or inattention
- Driver fatigue
- Poor bus maintenance or lack of repairs
- Reckless driving, speeding, and other traffic violations
- Failure to adjust to bad driving conditions, such as wet or icy roads
- Failure to follow industry rules and regulations, such as negligent hiring of unqualified drivers
- Lack of new driver training
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Cell phone use
- Tire delaminations and explosions
- Overcorrecting
- Defective bus equipment
Down to earth, knowledgeable, handled my legal issue in a timely fashion. 😎
- William Rauen
I was referred to Hassakis & Hassakis by a past client and was assured I would be treated right. From day one all of their staff were extremely prof …
- jose delgado
I would like to say that Shane Carnine has been the best lawyer that I've had the pleasure to deal with. Shane always returned any phone call or ema …
- Matt Canon
$2.3 Million Settlement
CASE TYPE: Workers' Compensation
$2.25 Million Workers' Compensation Settlement. We fought hard to get this incredible settlement for our client in his workers' compensation claim. Our client worked as a coal miner and suffered a brain injury and partial blindness as a result of a work accident. Through tough litigation, we were able to get this client a $2.5 million settlement.
Case Type:
If you or your child are hurt while riding your bicycle, the lawyers of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. can help you recover. A minor was riding their bicycle when they were seriously injured by a worker with a local entity. We fought to get a confidential settlement for our client.
read moreCase Type:
A 61 year old male sustained traumatic and severe fractures to his pelvis and nose, right rib fractures, fractures to his back and neck requiring surgical intervention. He was discharged from the hospital to a rehab facility for occupational and physical therapy. This case was settled for $46,476.46.
read moreCase Type: Group Home Injuries
In this confidential settlement case, a minor child was seriously injured in a group home.
read moreIllinois Bus Accident Lawyers | Hassakis & Hassakis
Why You Need A Bus Accident Lawyer
An experienced bus accident attorney in Southern Illinois will know how to successfully navigate the complex web of bus companies, insurance companies, school districts, governmental agencies, and the intersection of local, state, and federal laws that apply to the bus industry.
Most victims of bus accidents aren’t prepared to deal with the large-scale defense that bus companies begin immediately after the accident. Insurance companies will go to great lengths and spend tremendous amounts of money to protect their interests. While you are recovering from your accident, the bus company will have its team of representatives building their defense and potentially tampering with evidence that may be crucial to your case. For this reason, it is extremely important that you have an attorney on your side who works just as fast and just as hard.
Following your bus accident, our firm recommends that you do the following:
- Get a copy of your accident report from the police
- Get a property damage valuation from your own insurance company
- Keep a medical journal. This should contain records of any pain or adverse symptoms you experience, details on all doctor's visits or other medical procedures, and copies of prescriptions, test results, and other relevant documents.
- Document all your out-of-pocket expenses. Keep receipts and detailed records.
- Keep a record of all work, activities, or events you missed or could not participate in due to your injury.
- Never accept a settlement offer until you have consulted with an attorney.
Contact Southern Illinois Bus Accident Lawyers Trusted For Generations
The Southern Illinois personal injury attorneys at Hassakis & Hassakis have served people just like you all over Illinois following an accident since 1950. Our firm combines top-notch legal knowledge and a proven history of obtaining positive results for our clients with a commitment to personal service and our community. If you or someone you know has recently been injured in a bus accident in Illinois, call us today at 618-244-5335 or talk to us online to speak with an attorney today and put the experienced Illinois bus accident lawyers at Hassakis & Hassakis to work for you.
We have answers