Public transit is chosen by some out of necessity. Others choose it for moralistic reasons. They all come from different walks of life, and from different neighborhoods. But they all have one thing in common: they expect they are traveling safely from one destination to the next. Unfortunately, statistics on Megabus and the CTA Transit system suggest otherwise.
One CTA Accident Every 36 Hours
This past summer, a high-profile CTA crash prompted investigations by the ABC News team. They uncovered hundreds of CTA bus accidents, with an average of about one every 36 hours, and nearly 500 people injured in 2014 alone. A Bronzeville accident in which the bus crossed into the northbound lanes, hitting two parked cars and a fence; another in which a bus crashed into three parked cars and injured 14 people; and two different crashes where the drivers lost consciousness were just the highlights.
Rocky Two-Year History for Megabus
Even though they have only been around for about two years, Megabus has a pretty rocky history. NBC 5 examined federal records on Megabus investigations and discovered 16 accidents in which dozens of people were either killed or injured. One in Chicago, caused by a blown out tire, caused a Megabus to plow into a concrete pillar; one was killed and dozens more were injured. In another, a bus struck and killed a 76-year-old woman in Chicago. The very next day, a Megabus traveling from Atlanta to Charlotte caught fire.
Both Companies Claim Superior Safety
While no information was gathered on traffic violations for CTA, the company did release a statement to the ABC report, saying that most of the crashes involving buses were not the fault of drivers. And they stated that study all their accident reports to check for opportunities to improve safety and training. Still, the hundreds of accidents leave a lot of room for questioning and concern regarding the safety of Chicago’s public transit system.
In contrast, Megabus has been cited for a number of violations. The one that crashed in early December was connected to a chain that had been cited for seven traffic violations, four of them for speeding, and six additional violations for exceeding the approved number of hours on the road. Yet they claim to hold the best safety rating given by the Department of Transportation, who audits and oversees safety regulations for Megabus.
Injured in a Megabus or CTA Accident? You May be Entitled to Compensation
Victims who are injured, through no fault of their own, should never have to worry about how to pay their medical bills. They should not have to live through the financial strain often experienced when they miss work or become disabled and unable to return to work. Family members of those wrongfully killed in an accident should not have to fight through the monetary aspects of burying their loved one as they navigate through their grief. And yet they do.
At Hurley, McKenna & Mertz, P.C., we fight for the rights of victims so they can focus on what really matters. Passionate, dedicated, and aggressive, our attorneys are prepared to fight for you. Schedule your free initial consultation today and ask how we can help with your case.
Sources:
http://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/Latest-Megabus-Crash-Highlights-Rocky-History-279205871.html
http://abc7chicago.com/news/crash-factor-one-cta-bus-accident-every-36-hours/995542/
