The Bay Area has a comprehensive public transportation system that includes BART, Caltrain and ACE commuter trains, Amtrak, Muni Metro, numerous bus transit services, public ferries and, of course, the famous San Francisco cable cars. These transit systems are known for both their high-quality and strong safety record. Nonetheless, accidents sometimes happen and people get injured.
What kind of mass transit accidents occur in the Bay Area?
Mass transit accidents can take many forms, including:
- Collisions between private cars, trucks or bikes and municipal vehicles (bus, train, etc.)
- Collisions between pedestrians and municipal vehicles
- Collisions between private boats or other water vessel and municipal ferries
- Collisions between two or more municipal vehicles
- Train derailments
- Passengers falling while entering, exiting or riding on municipal vehicle due to the driver/operator’s negligence
- Passengers suffering injuries through faulty or poorly maintained equipment on municipal vehicle
Such accidents can result in serious injuries, such as broken bones and fractures, head trauma, neck and back injuries, spinal cord damage, and even wrongful death.
Suing for Compensation
Yes. Persons injured in public transit accidents have the right to file a claim against the governmental entity in charge of the transit system that caused your injury. But you must act quickly to protect your rights. You have only six months (180 days) following the date of your accident to file a claim.
The good news is that operators of mass transit vehicles (or any “common carrier” such as taxis and airplanes, for that matter) owe its passengers the highest duty of care. This means that the operator must be extremely careful in carrying you to your destination and will be held responsible for any negligent acts that result in your injuries.
How can a Bay Area mass transit accident lawyer help me?
Mass transit accidents lawsuits are often more complex and challenging than the typical vehicle accident case. The regulations for pursuing a claim against a government entity are strict and the amount of bureaucracy involved is high. Having an experienced Bay Area mass transit lawyer who understands how to navigate the complexities these cases present is essential to a successful claim.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured on a mass transit vehicle in the Bay Area, contact our experienced public transit attorneys for a free consultation. We’d be happy to further explain your rights and discuss your options.
The California mass transit accident attorneys at the Appel Law Firm LLP are dedicated to helping San Francisco Bay Area residents receive compensation for injuries and wrongful deaths arising from mass transit accidents in the Bay Area.
