A sudden stop, door malfunction, collision, or unsafe station condition can leave a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) passenger with serious injuries and little information about what to do next.
If you have been involved in a CTA bus or train accident, call a Chicago public transportation accident lawyer at Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC at (312) 701-0090 or message us online for a free consultation.
Experience That Helps CTA Injury Victims
- We bring decades of personal injury experience to CTA claims and understand the shorter deadlines and agency-controlled evidence these cases may involve.
- You receive direct attorney involvement and clear explanations about the legal process, potential obstacles, and available options.
- We handle CTA accident claims on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
How Do CTA Bus and Train Accidents Happen?
Chicago Transit Authority injuries do not always involve a major collision. A passenger can suffer significant harm when a bus operator accelerates before riders are secure, brakes without warning, stops too far from the curb, or closes the doors while someone is entering or leaving. CTA “L” accidents may involve defective doors, sudden movement, platform gaps, escalator failures, damaged stairs, poor lighting, or unsafe walking surfaces. Common claims include:
- Falls caused by sudden bus starts, stops, or turns.
- Bus crashes involving cars, trucks, cyclists, or pedestrians.
- Passengers struck or trapped by bus or train doors.
- Falls while boarding, exiting, or moving through a station.
- Injuries linked to defective brakes, signals, tracks, steps, or handrails.
The specific circumstances of your accident determine whether the CTA, another driver, a contractor, or an equipment manufacturer may bear responsibility.
The CTA’s Duty to Passengers
Illinois courts treat the CTA as a common carrier when it transports passengers. In Anderson v. Chicago Transit Authority, the court recognized the heightened duty between a common carrier and its passengers. This duty generally requires the highest degree of care consistent with the practical operation of the service while passengers board, ride, and exit.
One-Year Filing Deadline
CTA claims carry a shorter deadline than many Illinois personal injury cases. Under 70 ILCS 3605/41, an action against the CTA must begin “within one year from the date the cause of action accrued.” Missing that deadline can end the right to pursue compensation.
Comparative Negligence
Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, an injured person can recover when their fault is “not more than 50%,” but the court reduces damages by that percentage. The CTA may argue that a passenger ignored a warning or failed to use an available handhold.
Why Hiring a Lawyer Protects Your Interests
CTA claims involve strict deadlines, agency procedures, and records controlled by the transit authority. A Transit Authority accident attorney can act quickly to preserve critical evidence before it is lost, ensure all required notices and filings are completed on time, and prevent procedural mistakes that could jeopardize your claim.
They can preserve video and documents, determine whether another party shares responsibility, address fault arguments, and show how the injury affected your work, mobility, health, and daily life. A personal injury lawyer in Chicago also handles communication with the CTA and its insurers, allowing you to focus on recovery while your case is pursued on your behalf.
Let Us Help You Move Your CTA Injury Claim Forward
Speak with Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC at (312) 701-0090 or reach us online to arrange a free consultation about your case.