Injured While Riding a Pace Bus?
The City of Chicago is not the only area serviced by public buses. In fact, if you live in or work in the suburban areas surrounding Chicago, odds are that you are familiar with the Pace Suburban Bus Service, commonly referred to as Pace.
Unlike some other public transit providers, Pace offers a great deal of flexibility to its riders in the types of transit it offers. Many users take advantage of Pace's fixed route bus system. Here, the buses run along designated routes at specified times, picking up and dropping off riders along the way.
Others with physical limitations partake in Pace's ADA/paratransit service. This helps as they move about the service area the transit company covers.
And yet others utilize Pace's vanpool incentive program. This allows coworkers or associates to commute with one another while saving time and money.
When you consider that Pace offers fixed route service, dial-a-ride options, and vanpools, it may seem like the needs of anyone interested in public transit should be covered.
But the availability of transit is not the only issue related to Pace bus services. Safety remains a common concern over those who ride with Pace. From boarding a vehicle to disembarking, countless issues can arise that can lead to an unsafe environment for bus passengers and bus operators alike.
In the most significant instances, a bus accident or other collision may cause injury to those on board. If you or a family member is suffering from injuries from a Pace bus accident, then learn what the Chicago Pace Bus Accident Lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. can do for you.
Is it the Driver's Responsibility to Prevent Pace Bus Accidents?
Employees who drive buses and other vehicles on behalf of Pace must receive proper training and licensing to do so. This is done to provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to operate in a safe and reasonable manner. If a driver does not receive adequate training or testing, those on board the bus or inside a vehicle may be at risk for harm. The harm may stretch to those in other types of automobiles including accidents like:
- Chicago Car Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents in Chicago
- Chicago Motorcycle Accidents
- Chicago Public Transportation
Further, each Pace bus operator needs to put their passengers' safety at the forefront of the decisions they make. Bus drivers should not drive in an aggressive or reckless fashion or in a way that would create an undue risk of harm to those on board or those who are entering or exiting the vehicle. Further, they must stay alert at all times. Failing to do so may lead to injuries to Pace passengers or those in the area of a Pace bus.
Even with these clear requirements, Pace buses continue to get in accidents when drivers make mistakes. Any wrong decision by a driver can place dozens of lives at risk. A negligent Pace operator can alter the course for those on board forever. Some victims may need medical help and others could face many different types of injuries, some that will never fully heal. For those reasons, it is important for Pace riders to be aware of their legal rights should a collision occur.
How Can a Chicago Pace Bus Accident Lawyer Help?
If you are in an accident involving a Pace bus, know that there are protections under state and local laws. You may have a right to relief. However, you must take affirmative action within the statute of limitations. Otherwise, you will be forever barred from seeking the relief that you deserve.
The personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. have been representing Pace accident victims for years. We are familiar with the steps to take to provide our clients with the relief that they deserve. If you have injuries due to an accident, we will provide you with a no-cost, no-obligation case consultation. We have a lawyer standing by to speak with you and we will talk about the specific facts surrounding your accident.
The legal team at Abels & Annes, P.C. does not charge its clients a fee unless you win your case. Further, we advance all case expenses, so do not let those concerns keep you from reaching out to us. Call us today at (312) 924-7575 or contact us online so that you can get the answers you need regarding your legal rights in Illinois. Our Pace bus accident lawyers in Chicago are here to help.