When you’re injured at a CTA station or bus stop, liability for your injuries depends on how the accident happened. Several parties could share liability, including the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), other negligent third parties like maintenance contractors and cleaning crews, and other motorists.
If you or a family member was injured at a Chicago CTA station or bus stop, call personal injury lawyer Robert Smoler at 312-332-9800 for a free consultation about your legal options.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Injuries at a Chicago CTA Station or Bus Stop?
The CTA is usually the primary party that’s held liable when people suffer injuries at a Chicago CTA station or bus stop. CTA buses and rail cars serve 10,588 bus stops and 146 stations, respectively. While the agency is often considered liable, other parties who contributed to unsafe conditions and the accident could be liable. These include third-party contractors hired for repairs, maintenance, cleaning, construction, or security services, manufacturers or installers of defective equipment, and negligent drivers involved in a crash at or near a CTA station or bus stop.
You may also be partly to blame when you’re injured at a CTA station in Chicago. You can still recover compensation if your degree of fault isn’t greater than 50%. However, your compensation will be reduced proportionately to your percentage of fault. When you hire a personal injury lawyer, he or she will conduct a detailed investigation to identify all the responsible parties and how they contributed to your accident and injuries.
When Is the CTA Responsible for Bus Stop or Train Station Accidents?
The CTA is responsible for bus stop or train station accidents when they result from its negligence or that of its employees. This could include unsafe conditions like:
- Poor lighting
- Inadequate signage
- Insufficient security
- Uneven flooring or spilled substances on a platform or walkway
- Defective or poorly maintained equipment, such as doors, turnstiles, and escalators
- Weather-related hazards
Knowing how to prove negligence is essential to recovering compensation for your damages.
How Do You Prove Negligence After a Chicago CTA Injury?
To prove negligence after a Chicago CTA injury, you must show that the responsible party had a duty of care to you, failed to uphold that duty of care, the breach of duty directly caused your injury, and you suffered damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages. Evidence that can help you prove negligence includes incident reports, witness statements, maintenance records, photographs of the accident scene, and surveillance footage. A Chicago CTA injury lawyer will gather and present solid evidence to help you successfully settle your injury case.
Contact us at Smoler Law Office today to get started on proving liability in your case with a free consultation in Chicago.
FAQs
Who Is Responsible If I Am Injured at a Chicago CTA Station or Bus Stop?
Several parties may be responsible, including the CTA, other third-party contractors, and motorists. A Chicago bus stop accident attorney can conduct thorough investigations to identify all liable parties.
Can I Sue the CTA for Injuries Caused by Unsafe Station or Bus Stop Conditions?
You can sue the CTA for injuries caused by unsafe station or bus stop conditions.
What Should I Do After Being Injured at a CTA Station or Bus Stop in Chicago?
If possible, document the scene by taking photos and videos of the area, your injuries, and conditions that caused the accident and obtaining witness information. Don’t wait to seek treatment, as delayed treatment could make it harder to connect your injuries to the accident. Report the incident to the CTA and contact a personal injury lawyer for legal advice.
