Chicago Pace Bus Accident Lawyer

Experienced Pace Accident Lawyers Serving Chicago

Chicago’s Pace transit system operates buses in the suburbs of Chicago, in addition to certain smaller programs such as Vanpool and Paratransit. Its scale is, unsurprisingly, rather large:

  • Over 700 buses
  • Over 200 lines
  • Operates in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties
  • Over 600 vans, over 350 Paratransit vehicles and dozens of community vehicles.

Accidents: The Dark Side

Generally speaking, the Pace system is safe. With all those passenger miles, however, the law of averages is bound to catch up once in awhile – and sometimes it does. Two or three people are killed and several hundred people are injured in Pace accidents in an average year. Once you become an accident victim, though, the statistics don’t matter anymore. You will need one of our skilled and knowledgeable Chicago Pace Accident Lawyers to fight for your rights.

Possible Types of Legal Action

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you might file a claim against one or more of the following parties:

  • The Chicago Regional Transportation Authority: if the accident can be attributed to a Pace driver or faulty bus maintenance. Special restrictions apply to such claims, however, because any compensation will come out of the pockets of taxpayers.
  • The bus manufacturer: if the accident was caused by a defective bus component. In this case you would file a products liability lawsuit, which would not require you to prove fault.
  • A third party: such as a pedestrian or another motorist who caused the accident. Most Pace bus accidents are attributable to another motorist rather than to Pace. As long as the other motorist was a private party not representing a government, this kind of claim would be handled like an ordinary personal injury claim and would likely be paid out by an auto insurance company.

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205 W. Randolph St., #1700,
Chicago, IL 60606

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Most common questions for Pace Bus accidents in Chicago

Answers to some of the most common Pace Bus questions we’re asked.

Can I sue the Pace transit system and the driver too?

Since Pace drivers are generally employees, not independent contractors, you may sue the appropriate municipal government authority as well as the driver. It bears repeating that special rules apply to a lawsuit against the municipal government that don’t apply to a lawsuit against a private party.

What kinds of accidents might generate a Pace transit system claim?

Although accidents can happen in many ways, the following are the most common types of accidents involving the Pace transport system:

  • A pedestrian is hit by a bus
  • An automobile or motorcycle is hit by a bus, injuring the automobile driver and/or an automobile passenger
  • A bus passenger is injured when the bus he is riding in crashes

What law should I rely on to file a claim against the bus manufacturer?

You can file a claim under Illinois product liability law if the accident was caused by a defect in the bus or a component thereof. Three types of defects are actionable:

  • A design defect
  • A manufacturing defect
  • Inadequate product warnings

What steps should I take after a Pace bus accident?

To the extent you are able, you should:

  • Make sure the Pace driver reports the crash.
  • Seek medical attention!
  • Attempt to obtain contact details of witnesses such as other passengers.
  • Photograph the scene of the accident.
  • Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.