Wheaton, Illinois: A quiet evening commute in Wheaton turned into a distressing scene on April 29, 2025, when a public transit Pace suburban bus turning left from East Loop Road onto Butterfield Road in Wheaton, IL was struck by a vehicle that ran a red light.
On this evening a Pace bus accident in Wheaton, Illinois, sent six individuals, including the bus driver, to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. The crash, which occurred near East Loop and Butterfield Roads by the Danada Square shopping center, involved multiple vehicles and remains under investigation (ABC7 Chicago). This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with bus travel and the challenges victims face in the aftermath.
At Wojcik Law Firm, our thoughts are with the injured and their families, and we wish them a swift recovery.
Wheaton Bus Accident Information
The crash occurred near the intersection of East Loop Road and Butterfield Road, a busy thoroughfare in DuPage County, and resulted in injuries to multiple individuals, including the bus driver.
Emergency crews responded swiftly, but the impact left six people hospitalized and several roadways closed for hours.
This incident is more than a headline—it’s a powerful reminder of how quickly a routine drive can become a life-altering event.
If you or someone you love was involved in this crash, now is the time to act. A skilled bus accident attorney in Oak Lawn can help protect your rights and begin the process of securing fair compensation.
Incident Overview: What Happened in Wheaton?
Details of the Wheaton, IL bus accident are as follows:
Location: East Loop Road & Butterfield Road, Wheaton, IL
Cause of the accident: A vehicle running a red light then colliding with a Pace bus
Injuries: A total of six people had to be hospitalized with no non-life threatening injuries
Additional details:
At around 6:10 p.m. on April 29, 2025, a Pace bus—midway through a routine turn—was blindsided by a car that ran a red light, triggering a chain-reaction crash involving four other vehicles.
Witnesses reported a loud impact followed by a sudden veer as the bus careened off the road into a grassy embankment. Emergency crews rushed to the scene and transported six individuals, including the bus driver, to nearby hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Roads were closed well into the evening as investigators examined skid marks, signal data, and impact zones.
The intersection near Danada Square, usually bustling with commuters and local shoppers, became the center of a multi-agency response—underscoring just how fast one reckless decision can unravel a community’s sense of safety.
Why You Need a Bus Accident Lawyer Near Wheaton
Navigating the legal aftermath of a bus crash in Illinois is never easy. The legal implications alone can be daunting.
Devastating consequences. Emotional trauma. Medical bills. And one of the most challenging - claiming accurate compensation from insurance companies.
You may be dealing with multiple entities—private drivers, insurers, and even local municipalities.
The same holds true for liabilities - who is at fault? Who is responsible? And where do you stand based on witness reports and police investigations?
Without Legal Representation, You’re at Risk Of…
Losing Your RightS to Seek Justice In A Motor Vehicle Accident Case In the State of Illinois
Deadlines for claims vary depending on the type of bus, for example.
In this case, because Pace buses are government-owned, the deadline is 180 days. This is not the same as a regular car accident, where you typically have two years.
Without information like this or legal help, you could risk losing the entire case.
If you miss the deadline—even by one day—you lose your right to any compensation. No exceptions. No appeals.
Accepting a Settlement That Barely Covers Your Medical Bills & Future Expenses (Rehab, Therapy, Etc.)
Insurance companies will offer you money fast, knowing most people are in shock, confused, or financially stressed.
That “quick check” might feel like relief, but it often ignores:
Missed work
Ongoing rehab
Long-term pain
Psychological trauma
While it sounds appealing on paper to get your money within a matter of days, you could also be missing out on tens of thousands—possibly hundreds of thousands—of dollars in long-term support and care.
The worst part? Once you accept a settlement, you can’t go back.
Navigating the financial aftermath of any accident requires legal knowledge to ensure you get the most value for your injuries.
Being Blamed For the Crash or Collison
The primary goal of a bus accident attorney is to protect their client’s bottom line. They have legal teams, adjusters, investigators, and resources to get you the justice you deserve.
Without legal representation, your version of events is easy to dismantle.
You could be blamed for the crash, accused of exaggerating your injuries, or outright ignored.
State of Illinois Court Throwing Out Your Case, Losing Your Ability for Any Claims
Injury law—especially when government agencies are involved—is full of procedural landmines:
Wrong filing address?
Incomplete paperwork?
Missed required documentation?
Even with a valid injury and strong evidence, the court can throw out your case if your paperwork isn’t perfect. Judges follow procedure—not pity.
And that’s not the only challenge either.
Insurance companies often send documents filled with legal jargon. You might sign a “release of liability” form or give a recorded statement that hurts your case later.
The ability to pursue the full value of your injuries, and in some cases, any claim at all would be voided. One wrong signature, and your case could be closed before it even starts.
Understanding Bus Accidents in Illinois: Legal Support from Wojcik Law Firm
Recent Incident: On April 29, 2025, a Pace bus crash in Wheaton, Illinois, hospitalized six people, including the driver, highlighting the risks of bus travel.
Prevalence: Illinois ranks fourth nationally for bus accidents, with 1,227 school bus crashes reported in a single year, causing significant injuries.
Legal Complexity: Bus accident cases often involve multiple parties, such as drivers, companies, or government agencies, with strict legal deadlines.
Wojcik Law Firm’s Role: With over 30 years of experience, Wojcik Law Firm offers compassionate, expert legal support to secure compensation for victims.
Why Bus Accidents Matter
Bus accidents, while less frequent than car crashes, can have severe consequences due to the size and weight of buses. In Illinois, thousands rely on buses daily, making safety a critical concern. Victims often face medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress, which can be overwhelming without proper legal guidance.
How Wojcik Law Firm Can Help
Wojcik Law Firm, based in Oak Lawn, Illinois, has a strong track record in personal injury cases, including auto accidents. Although primarily serving Chicago and its southwest suburbs, their expertise extends across Illinois, making them well-equipped to handle bus accident cases. They offer personalized, aggressive representation to ensure victims receive fair compensation .
Wojcik Bus Accident Attorneys Can Assist YOu
At Wojcik Law (Oak Lawn, IL, Chicago) we specialize in personal injury cases along with the following:
Here are some of the many ways we support victims:
Preserve Evidence: Obtain security footage, driver logs, and red-light camera data
Identify Liability: Determine fault between multiple parties—drivers, government, contractors
Maximize Compensation: Fight for damages including hospital bills, therapy, time off work, and long-term care
Handle Insurance Complexity: Navigate multi-policy coverage between private insurers and public agencies
Even with the right evidence and identified liabilities, one of the most important aspects is building a strong case.
Without it, you might be wrongfully held liable for parties or events, which would not only affect your record/reputation but also inflict a significant burden on your expenses.
Top Chicagoland Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
We’ve served Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs for more than 37 years, providing legal advice, protecting rights, and maximizing each and every person’s recovery.
Wojcik Law is also qualified and recommended by the Chicago Bar Association & the Illinois State Bar Association.
Journal and Topics Newspapers also wrote:
"Wojcik, a resident of Southwest suburban Oak Lawn and the father of four, has been rated as Qualified by all of the regional bar associations. He has been active in his church and youth activities in his community for years and has been employed as an attorney for the last 35 years . . . We've found him to be level headed, intelligent and deliberative --- great qualities for any person aspiring to become judge."
If you’d like to learn more about Wojcik, the services we provide, and our practice areas, you can read more about Wojcik Law here.
Next Steps for Chcagoland Motor Vehicle Victims
If you or a loved one has been affected by a bus accident, acting quickly is crucial due to legal deadlines, especially in cases involving public transit. Contact Wojcik Law Firm at (708) 424-2121 or visit www.wojciklaw.com for a free consultation to explore your options.
How to File a Lawsuit After a Bus Accident
You can file a lawsuit after a bus accident on your own through a process called pro se representation.
Essentially, this means you can represent yourself, fight for your rights, and handle the case solo.
But when the case involves several parties, complex transit systems, and multiple liabilities, a pro se representation becomes challenging.
This is where a bus accident lawyer can help you:
Establish proper liability
Prove damages for compensation
Understand the negligent parties involved
Guide you through any statute of limitations
How Legal Counselling Can Assist When Filing a Lawsuit
You might save on a few costs filing a lawsuit yourself, but you could also risk losing 10x more if you don’t seek legal counsel.
Think of all the steps you have to take when filing a lawsuit:
Prove who was negligent in the accident
Establish the liable person or parties involved
File your lawsuit within the expected time frame (statute of limitations)
Prove all the related damages (medical bills, lost wages, property damage) to claim proper compensation
Collect and present an accurate witness testimony (If faulty or inaccurate, you could lose your claim)
There are about 5 more steps to take to ensure you get the right compensation, justice deserved, preventing situations where you get outmaneuvered by legal teams or end up settling for a lowball offer.
Here are a couple more explanations as to how filing a lawsuit would look like:
Proving negligence means being able to prove a party was negligent (failed to act with reasonable care) and is the foundation for building a strong case.
This usually involves several steps such as proving a duty was breached. For example, a vehicle running a red light.
How do you determine who’s liable or at fault?
In the Wheaton bus accident scenario, there could be several:
The bus driver
Another vehicle operator
A maintenance contractor
The transit agency (e.g., Pace, CTA)
A private company if it’s a charter bus
A government entity (if road conditions contributed)
The statute of limitations also varies:
Personal injury claims: Two years
Claims against government agencies: 180 days
If you miss the deadline even by a day or a couple of hours, your case will be thrown out.
Should You File a Lawsuit On Your Own?
After an incident like the Wheaton bus accident, legal help can save you from missed opportunities, dismissed cases, or an underpaid settlement.
If you’re injured in a bus accident near Wheaton or Oak Lawn, don’t wait—contact a bus accident lawyer who understands how to handle high-stakes injury claims involving public transportation.
No matter the type of accident (bus, car, motorcycle, or truck), we advise all of our clients to do the following immediately after an accident:
Get medical care immediately, even if you feel fine
Document the crash site, injuries, and vehicles involved
Avoid discussing the crash with insurance before speaking with a lawyer
Contact a bus accident attorney to start your claim right away
Illinois law includes strict time limits for personal injury and municipal claims. Let us guide you through every step.
Read more: Million and Multi-Million Dollar Cases Won For Our Clients (Case Results)
Do Passengers Need a Lawyer After a Bus Crash?
Absolutely. Even if you were simply riding the Pace bus, you may still face:
Delayed-onset injuries (whiplash, trauma, fractures)
Unclear insurance responsibilities
Denials of compensation from third parties
We represent bus crash victims in Wheaton and throughout DuPage County, whether you were behind the wheel, riding as a passenger, or injured as a pedestrian.
Key Chicago-Area Traffic Stats to Know
The Illinois Department of Transportation provides traffic statistics to be aware about:
Rollover crashes caused over 1,800 injuries in 2023
32.7% of Illinois traffic deaths involved speeding in 2022
Rear-end collisions make up 31% of all crashes in Illinois
Nearly 50% of pedestrian deaths involve SUVs or large vehicles
91,936 rear-end accidents occur annually in Chicago alone, leading to over 19,000 injuries
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long do I have to file a claim after a Pace bus crash?
In Illinois, the general limit is 2 years, but claims against public agencies may require notice within 180 days.
What types of compensation can I claim?
You may be entitled to:
Medical expenses
Rehabilitation costs
Lost income
Pain and suffering
Property damage
Who could be liable in this Wheaton crash?
The private driver who ran the red light
The bus operator
Pace (as a public transportation entity)
Maintenance contractors or the municipality (if faulty signals contributed)
What if I was only mildly injured?
Don’t dismiss your injury. Whiplash, concussions, and soft-tissue trauma may take days to manifest and affect your life long-term.
Contact the #1 Chicagoland Area Bus Accident Lawyer at WoJcik Law Firm Today
The April 29 Pace bus crash in Wheaton is a traumatic reminder of how vulnerable we all are on the road.
If you or someone close to you was injured, take action immediately. The sooner you call, the stronger your case.
You can contact Wojcik Law at (708) 424-2121 or visit our website to learn more about how we can help.