Public transportation, or mass transit, refers to systems or networks of motor vehicles utilized by citizens and typically provided by municipalities. While strict safety standards exist and are usually employed to maintain the integrity of the system and the safety of passengers, accidents do happen. Subways, buses, passenger ferries, and even elevators fall under the umbrella of “public transportation.”
If you are injured in a public transportation accident, you may have a personal injury claim against the municipality responsible for operating that system. However, it can be difficult to navigate the law regarding personal injury claims against government entities. In this case, you should consider contacting an experienced public transportation attorney to help you determine what your case is worth.
When the chips are down, you will want a driven and inspired attorney like Ali Awad in your corner. He and the injury and accident attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm will fight aggressively to find the evidence and legal reasoning needed to give your claim a high chance of success. Call (833) 254-2923 for a no-obligation consultation of your case.
Causes of Public Transportation Accidents
Each day, millions of people rely on mass transit to get them to work, school, special events, and then back home again. It is easy to be lulled into a sense of safety when it comes to public transportation because we know that far more individuals are injured in personal vehicle accidents than in public transportation accidents. However, these incidents do occur and injured victims deserve compensation for damages and losses sustained from the accident.
The most common causes of public transportation accidents fall into three categories: individual failures, mechanical failures, and systemic failures.
- Individual failures refer to mistakes made by the driver or operator. In fact, most public transportation accidents are the result of operator error and not mechanical or systemic failure. Individual failures can occur due to driver exhaustion, operating under the influence, driving while distracted, or failing to maintain awareness of their surroundings.
- Mechanical failures refer to the functions of the heavy machinery and monitoring technologies that guide public transportation systems. If these systems malfunction, it can result in a dangerous accident or collision.
- Systemic failures refer to accidents that occur because the company or operating entity failed to take the steps necessary to maintain the safety of their passengers and the integrity of their system. Examples of this include the failure to maintain regular equipment inspections, failure to maintain safety equipment, or the failure to properly screen and train the operators of the machine.
What Do I Do if I am Injured in a Public Transportation Accident?
If you are a passenger on public transportation and you are injured, follow these steps.
- Seek medical treatment for injuries: If you are hurt, you should immediately seek the care of a doctor. Be sure to maintain documentation of your injuries and copies of all of your medical expenses.
- Talk with Authorities: Be sure to give your account of the accident to any responding emergency authorities, such as the police.
- Consult a Personal Injury Attorney: A personal injury attorney can help you determine whether or not you have a personal injury claim against the system operator or municipality in charge of the public transportation system. It is also important to contact a personal injury attorney right away because statutes of limitations are short for public commercial vehicles than in other personal injury cases. In some states, you may only have up to six months to file a personal injury claim.
What are Common Carrier Laws?
In many states, public transportation entities are subject to common carrier laws. These laws state that “common carriers,” or public transportation vehicles, owe a higher duty of care than an individual person involved in a motor vehicle accident. Common carriers are required to maintain a higher duty of care than the average person’s duty to maintain care in public spaces.
Recoverable Damages
If you are injured in a public transportation accident, your personal injury attorney can help you recover damages for injuries and losses sustained due to the accident. These include:
- Medical expenses
- Damage to personal property
- This can include damages to your vehicle if you are struck by public transportation or compensation for lost or damaged items you had with you during the accident.
- Lost wages or loss of income
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
When You Need the CEO Lawyer on Your Side
Our injury attorneys have maintained a success rate of over 99.5% and are one of the fastest-growing law firms in the country. This is for a good reason. The managing attorney and founder, Ali Awad, also known as the CEO Lawyer, has a proven track record of getting maximum compensation for injured victims. The CEO Lawyer is not afraid to take on insurance companies or government entities in order to help his clients receive the remuneration for their losses and damages.
With over twenty years of combined experience, you can trust that our attorneys have your best interests in mind. They work on a contingency-fee-basis, which means that they don’t get paid unless you get paid.
Call (833) 254-2923 for your no-obligation consultation. The CEO Lawyer is here to offer you free legal advice on your personal injury case.
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