There are many people who use mass transportation every day to get to where they need to be in an efficient way. In doing so, they trust that those who run the vehicles ensure their safety so that they can travel without the threat of becoming injured. However, accidents can still happen. This may be the case if negligence occurs during maintenance or operation of the vehicle.
When mass transit accidents happen, they can cause serious injuries that have the potential to affect a person for the rest of their life. If you were involved in a mass transit accident, it is crucial that you retain the services of an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorney for assistance.
Causes of Mass Transit Accidents
Transit administrations and the people they employ to drive their vehicles have a legal obligation to ensure the safety of all their passengers. This obligation can be upheld through regular inspections of vehicles and waiting areas to be aware of any hazardous conditions as they arise. Vehicles and platforms that are not inspected can become dangerous and cause devastating accidents. In addition to this, drivers must operate the vehicles to the best of their ability and do not act negligently while driving them. If they engage in speeding, using a device, substance abuse, fatigued driving, and more, they can cause serious accidents that injure passengers. There are many ways that mass transit accidents can happen, including the following:
- Derailments
- Faulty equipment
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Lack of seatbelts or safety features
- Driving under the influence
- Drowsy driving
- Driver/technician negligence
- Poorly maintained waiting areas
- Slip and falls
- Product malfunction
Proving Negligence
The law requires transit administrations to provide passengers with the proper standard of care. In the event that they do not, they can be held liable for any accidents that may happen as a result. If a passenger is injured in a mass transit accident, they can pursue legal action through a personal injury claim. During this time, they are required to prove the negligence of the transit administration or operator of the vehicle. This can be done with evidence such as medical documentation of the injuries, a police report, pictures or video of the accident, witness testimonies, and more.
Who Can Recover Compensation?
After an accident occurs, victims often suffer from significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens as a result. It is because of this that, in the event of successfully proving negligence, injured parties may be eligible to recover compensation. This can provide coverage for economic damages as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages can include not only medical bills but also lost wages and lost future wages. Non-economic damages can cover the pain and suffering that was endured due to the accident.
Contact our Firm
Friedman Schuman is an experienced and dedicated legal resource for clients throughout Pennsylvania. We proudly serve clients facing a wide range of legal matters. If you require the services of an effective attorney, please contact Friedman Schuman today to schedule a consultation.
