Personal Injury Law

Public Transit Lawyer

Personal Injury Law

Public Transit Accident Claim Lawyer

Public transit is generally considered a convenient and cost-effective option. You will avoid traffic congestion and play a small part in reducing the carbon footprint of your city. Public transit options like the subway or bus can be relied upon to reach your office every day at the same time without fail. This makes them ideal for your daily work commute. Even the number of accidents in the public transit system is comparatively lower. However, in the event of such an accident, the fixing of liability becomes complicated because of the multiple parties involved, including the municipality in some cases. This is where our Public Transit Accident Claim lawyers can help you with the case.

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What constitutes a Public Transit Accident Claim?

If you sustained an injury in an accident caused by a public transit vehicle, you have the right to sue for the damages incurred. If the vehicle is operated by a private firm, they, along with the municipality, might be held jointly responsible for the accident. If the accident was caused by a public vehicle like a subway or bus, the municipality alone might be held liable for the damages.

What to do in the event of a Public Transit Accident?

Take care of your injuries.

As with any other accident, the priority is to take care of your injuries. It is best to visit the nearby hospital even if your injuries seem minor. An x-ray or scan might reveal any hidden injuries you might have incurred, like a concussion. Remember that most of the expenses you incur might be reimbursed by your insurance provider or the defendant after a successful litigation. The important thing is to take care of your health and make sure that you receive the medical attention that you require.

Make sure to document everything as much as possible.

It will be very helpful to your legal team if you have managed to document everything from the start. The defendants, especially the insurance companies that will have to make the payment on their behalf, will fight hard to downplay your injuries and their liability to pay for the damages. It is, therefore, best to take pictures of the accident site and your injuries and collect necessary reports from the medical team who treated you.

Maintain up-to-date records of all your financial expenses.

At the end of the day, you will have to justify the amount of compensation you are claiming in the courts. Make sure to keep a copy of all the invoices and receipts of your treatment expenses and doctor appointments. You may have to submit these documents to the court when required to support your claim.

How can our public Transit Accident Claim lawyers help you?

Because of the above-mentioned complications, which might vary from province to province, it is best to consult our Public Transit Accident Claim lawyers to check the local statutes and the validity of your claim before proceeding further. Also, if you are covered under an accident insurance policy, you may also file your claim with the insurance provider regardless of the outcome of the litigation.

In case of a Public Transit Accident claim, our legal team will help you with the following:

Checking the validity of your claim

Our Personal Injury lawyer will check the local statutes and let you know about your rights and what you are legally entitled to. He will also check the validity of your claim and identify the liable parties, like the transit service operator, the vehicle drivers involved in the collision, and the municipality.

Getting you the right compensation

In case of serious injuries, it is often difficult to predict what your future medical expenses might be. You also need to take into account the loss of income while you were recovering from your injuries as well as any damage to your property during the accident. You can also claim compensation for the emotional distress, pain, and suffering you endured throughout this period.

Negotiating on your behalf

Most such cases are likely to be settled through negotiations rather than litigation. Our lawyers will represent you during these negotiations with the defendant’s lawyers and their insurance providers and ensure that you get the best compensation package possible.

Collecting data for your case

If the case does go to trial, our lawyers will build a strong case for you by collecting evidence from the site, gathering witness statements, and collating your medical records and expense statements. If necessary, we will also gather statements from medical experts and accident reconstruction consultants on your behalf.

We can Help

If you are planning to file a Public Transit Accident claim, contact our Personal Injury legal team today for a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to sue the government if it is a fully government-owned and operated transit service?

Yes. If you can prove that there was negligence on the government’s side, which directly or indirectly caused the accident, then you have the right to claim compensation from the government. However, as already mentioned, you have to check the local statutes to ensure the validity of such a claim. Our lawyers will guide you in this process.

What if I was riding without a ticket?

Generally speaking, what matters in such cases is who was responsible for the accident. It shouldn’t matter whether you were travelling with or without a ticket if you can prove that the accident was caused by the negligence of the defendant.

Who can be held responsible for a public transit accident?

This is decided by what caused the accident in the first place. It can be:

The vehicle manufacturer if the accident was caused by a design flaw or mechanical failure.
The government or the municipality if it was caused by the poor and unsafe conditions of the tracks or road.
The driver in case of his rash and negligent driving causing the accident.
The transit service operator for their failure to enforce the safety guidelines to prevent such accidents.

Who can file a compensation claim in case of a public transit accident?

If you were a pedestrian or a cyclist injured in the accident, you still have the right to sue for damages against the defendants. You might be riding another vehicle and were involved in the accident caused by the public transit vehicle. Again, if you can prove that your injuries were caused by the negligence of the defendant, you have a legal right to be compensated.

Is it possible for a family member to claim damages on behalf of their deceased loved one?

Yes. If you are the surviving family member of the victim of the accident, you can sue for damages on their behalf. Technically, such cases will fall under the category of Wrongful Death claims. Immediate family members, namely the spouse, children, parents, grandparents, or siblings, can file a Wrongful Death claim in such cases.