Attorneys for Public Transportation Injuries
Most people don’t consider cities like Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, or Orlando to be major public transportation centers, especially when comparing them to the megacities of the northeast. But when you consider the county busing systems and commuter trains like the TriRail and the Brightline, you realize thousands of Floridians ride public transit every day. If you have been injured on public transit, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
CONTACT OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ACCIDENT LAWYERS
The Florida injury attorneys at Weinstein Legal represent individuals who have been injured while riding buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation. All consultations are free, and you never have to pay out of pocket for excellent legal advice. Call today for a free consultation.
Public Transportation Accidents vs. Auto Accidents
Public transport accidents have many similarities to car accidents, but there are also some key differences:
Mass of the Vehicles
Public transportation vehicles tend to be larger, which means that they are less maneuverable and take longer to stop. If you are struck by public transit vehicle, you are much more likely to sustain serious injuries. For instance, a city bus weighs 10 to 15 tons, which is several times more than the weight of a personal vehicle. That means that with all other things being equal, the energy imparted on your vehicle is proportionate to the weight difference. If you are riding in a bus and it stops suddenly or makes a turn while you’re standing up, it can cause you to fall or smash into a bus seat. The same thing can occur when a train brakes suddenly or strikes a vehicle on the tracks.
No Airbags or Seatbelts
Most mass transit vehicles lack personal safety equipment. If they stop suddenly, you will likely pitch forward into the back of the seat in front of you. This type of impact can cause you to sustain bruising, whiplash, broken bones, or traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
Inability to Clear the Crash
With accidents that involve flames or toxic fumes, it’s safer to move away from the vehicle. On public transport, passenger egress is often blocked. This can lead to injuries that the passengers may not experience if they’re in an accident in their own cars.
If you have been injured in a public transport accident, the liability belongs to either the operator, an outside individual, or both. You should receive compensation for your injuries. Contact Weinstein Legal for a free consultation at your earliest convenience.
What to Do if You are Involved in a Public Transportation Accident
The moments after you’re involved in a public transport accident can be chaotic and confusing — particularly if you’ve sustained injuries. The steps you follow in the immediate aftermath can help to ensure your safety and recovery and could help your accident claim.
Assess the Safety of Your Current Position
You may very well be safer remaining on the bus, but if you’re not, try to exit in an orderly fashion. Be mindful of traffic as you enter the roadway.
Check on Injuries
Do a personal assessment to determine if you have apparent injuries. You can check on the injuries of those around you, but do not attempt to move injured persons unless it’s absolutely necessary for their safety.
Call 911 on Your Cell Phone
Make sure you call 911. The dispatcher will need to know a description of the vehicles involved, your location, the direction of travel, the approximate number of passengers, and serious injuries. Stay on the phone until the dispatcher tells you that you can hang up or emergency services arrive.
Allow Rescue Workers to Examine You on Scene
In a serious accident, the EMTs will triage you in the order of the severity of your apparent injuries. Follow their directions. If you don’t feel that you need to be examined on scene, make sure you follow up at a clinic or with your doctor.
Take Pictures or Video with Your Phone
There are many significant details in any accident and images or video can be invaluable when it comes to determining liability and processing your claim. Make sure to include the inside of the bus or train, the exterior of the vehicles, locational information like street signs, your injuries, and the injuries of others. Always remain in a safe place. Don’t venture into the roadway to take a picture.
Contact a Public Transport Accident Lawyer
You may be surprised at how quickly you’ll be approached with a settlement offer after a public transport collision. Many cities and counties are self-insured and would like to limit their liability following a crash. Before you accept any settlement, contact a bus accident lawyer to review the offer.
Factors Affecting Public Transport Accidents in Florida
If you’ve been involved in an accident, you should receive full and fair compensation for your injuries. Civil defense attorneys will often try to minimize damages in order to pay a smaller amount. Any settlement you accept will be accompanied by a liability waiver. That means that you can’t pursue the defendant for further damages if your expenses are greater than you anticipated. That’s why we recommend hiring a personal injury attorney prior to accepting any settlement. For many cases, the statute of limitations in Florida is four years from the date of the accident. Sometimes it can be less. While this may seem like a lot of time, you should not delay. As time passes, it becomes more difficult to locate witnesses and access the information that will ensure the successful outcome of your case. Don’t hesitate. Call our office today.
Lawyer for a Public Transportation Accident Lawsuit
Over the past decade, the attorneys at Weinstein Legal have been fighting for the rights of accident victims throughout Broward, Palm Beach, and Orange Counties. Weinstein Legal works on a contingency basis for personal injury cases, which means that you don’t have to pay any upfront or out-of-pocket costs. When you’re medical bills are piling up and you are out of work due to your injuries, you can receive our expert legal advice for free. Contact us today for a free consultation.