A Cook County woman is suing a group of diversely located commercial transportation companies on charges of critical injuries incurred in a 2014 bus roll-over accident.
Janette V. Payne of Chicago brought a lawsuit against Megabus USA LLC of Chicago; Megabus Southeast LLC of Norcross, Ga.; Coach Leasing Inc. of Chicago; and Coach USA Inc. of Paramus, N.J. on Sept. 21 in Cook County Circuit Court, Law Division, citing negligence.
The suit states that the defendants owned and operated a passenger bus traveling from Atlanta to Chicago on or about Oct. 14, 2014, on which Payne was a paying passenger.
According to the complaint, while northbound on Interstate 65 near Indianapolis, Ind., the bus driver lost control of the vehicle in rainy weather after allegedly announcing a malfunction with the windshield wipers, the bus rolled over onto its side, and between 20 and 30 passengers, including the plaintiff, were injured.
The lawsuit states that the defendants were in breach of duty to hire a competent driver, adopt safety policies, inspect and maintain the vehicle, and remove the bus from service when it was in need of repairs.
Claiming serious injuries, financial duress and medical expenses, the plaintiff demands judgment of more than $50,000, plus attorney’s fees and costs. Payne is represented by Thomas Prindable of Cogan & Power in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court, Law Division case number unspecified.