2 Dozen Hurt as Pace Bus Hits Building

It's hard enough for a bus driver to operate a large, bulky vehicle on urban streets - all while watching out for pedestrians walking around the bus as well as motorists cutting in front of it. But sometimes, a bus driver can obey all of the traffic laws and observe all of the safety policies implemented by his or her employer - and still get involved in a serious bus accident.

Two dozen people are recovering today after a Pace bus crashed into a building this week in Harvey, which is about 15 miles south of Chicago. On Tuesday afternoon just after 3:45pm, the Route 349 bus was traveling through Harvey with about 50 passengers on it. At the intersection of Park Avenue and 154th street, a car reportedly ran a red light and entered the intersection. The bus driver swerved in an effort to avoid the car; but the bus struck the vehicle and then crashed into a vacant building. A total of 23 passengers and the bus driver had to be taken to area hospitals, though none of their injuries appears to be life threatening.

At first glance, you might think that the victims could file personal injury lawsuits against both the bus driver and Pace. But based on the information we know, it could be argued that the blame for the wreck lies solely with the female driver of the car that ran the red light. If that's true, then she could face up to two dozen lawsuits seeking reimbursement for ambulance charges, medical costs, and lost wages from work absences. Police are planning to issue a citation to the car's driver. (There are also indications that she was involved in another collision prior to the bus accident.)

However, if it appears that the bus driver could have avoided the collision with either the car or the building, then Pace might be held partially responsible for the injuries to the passengers. The investigation into the bus accident is ongoing.