What You Should Know About Bus Accidents
If you’re a regular patron of public transit, then you know how invaluable a resource it can be when you don’t own a car but still need to get around. However, like all areas of transportation, it can be possible to suffer a serious injury on public transit, which may leave you unable to work and with medical bills that need to be paid.
If you’ve never experienced a public transit accident before, it’s a good idea to learn about the difficulties of these cases and what kind of evidence that you’ll need to win your compensation. Read about filing a personal injury suit after you’ve been hurt on public transit and find out how an attorney can help win your claim.
The Responsibility to Keep You Safe
Virtually every form of public transportation falls under common carrier laws, which means they have a heightened duty to keep passengers safe. What this means, is that buses, trains and sometimes even taxis must operate in a reasonable manner, which can include safely operating the vehicles and taking necessary precautions for a high level of safety.
If you’ve been hurt on public transit, you will need to demonstrate that common carrier rules were not observed and the transportation company did not act to protect your safety in the most reasonable manner possible.
Proving Your Case Effectively
Now that you know the basics of common carrier laws, it’s time to learn how you can effectively prove your case and win the compensation that you need to recover from your injury. Primarily, you will need to show that your injury was caused by negligence and was not the result of normal operations.
Say for instance, that you were a standing passenger on a city bus that fell when the bus stopped suddenly. In order to win your case, you will need to show that the bus driver braked irresponsibly because he or she was distracted and not because they were following safety protocols by trying to avoid a serious wreck. If you believe you can prove negligence, then you have a strong foundation for a personal injury lawsuit.
Limits on Time and Damages
Because public transit lawsuits almost always involve the government, there are certain limitations on filing your lawsuit that you should be aware of, both in terms of the statute of limitations and your possible available damages.
When you’re planning your lawsuit, you’ll need to notify the company involved that you plan to file a suit within six months of your accident. Also, you will have a very short amount of time to actually file your suit, meaning you should act as quickly as possible.
When it comes to damages, most states cap the possible payout you can receive in a suit against a public transit company, with the top level being around $100,000. Always contact a personal injury lawyer for clarification about the limitations of your lawsuit.
Your First Step After Being Hurt on Public Transit
When you’ve been hurt on public transit, you need help from the legal professionals that you can find at Mitch Grissim & Associates. We understand the complexities involved in a public transportation lawsuit and can help you win your compensation. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and to discuss your case.
