Public transportation is an excellent mode of transportation in Texas because it is practical, affordable, and generally secure. However, accidents occur occasionally, and the consequences can be severe when they do. In contrast to auto accidents involving private entities, insurance companies, and private individuals, public transit accidents involve a government agency. There are various rules in place. The claims procedure is unique. Moreover, compensation may vary as well. It will depend significantly on the jurisdiction in which the accident took place.

We assist our clients at The Law Office of Matthew Shrum in comprehending issues, their legal rights, and their available legal alternatives. Our Austin public transit accident attorney will assist you throughout the procedure to ensure you recover the maximum compensation permitted by law without any unnecessary delays. For further information, please contact our office at (512)777-0000 to arrange a complimentary consultation.

Understanding Public Transportation Accidents in Texas

Public transportation can be a cost-effective and environmentally beneficial mode of transportation. There are, nevertheless, dangers associated with each mode of transportation. An accident involving any mode of public transportation—including airplanes, railroads, subways and buses—is considered public transit. Since the majority of public transportation carries a large number of passengers, an accident has the potential to cause severe damage.

Public transportation fails to equip passengers with standard safety features such as airbags, seatbelts, or other preventative measures against injuries in public vehicles. Mass transit vehicles operate at high speed, which can worsen injuries in an accident, especially when safety features such as seatbelts are inadequate or nonexistent.

Difficulties in Public Transportation Accidents in Texas

In contrast to single-vehicle collisions, public transportation incidents present many distinct legal complexities. For starters, a wide variety of public transit options exist. The procedure for pursuing a claim will vary considerably depending on the precise mode of transportation on which your tragedy transpired. 

A wide array of transportation modes exists, thereby facilitating the occurrence of accidents and exposing victims to a diverse variety of potential injuries. For instance, an individual who sustains an injury when an aircraft skids off a runway will likely have a very different injury and subsequent personal injury case than someone whose hand is slammed into a subway door.

Determining liability for one's injuries is another uniqueness of public transportation catastrophes. Determining liability for injuries sustained in public transit incidents can present a challenge, as it is a condition for recovering any damages in a personal injury claim. The government can give its obstacles, as it is frequently held accountable for operating public transportation.

Diverse Forms of Public Transit Incidents

Accidents involving public transportation may manifest in various forms, including but not limited to the following:

  1. Train accidents may arise from internal incidents such as rape, assault, or theft or from train collisions with other trains, vehicles, or people.

  2. Bus incidents may arise from various factors, including collisions with stationary objects, vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians, or other buses.

  3. Accidents involving the subway or metro, including assaults, rapes, robberies, and sudden stops; incidents occurring on the platform or within the subway or subway station; and inadequate maintenance or equipment installation;

  4. Taxi collisions may arise from incidents involving stationary objects, pedestrians, bicyclists, or other vehicles.

Popular Types of Injuries Related to Public Transit

The severity of injuries sustained in accidents involving public transportation can vary considerably.

  • Traumatic brain injuries 
  • Injuries to the spinal cord
  • Back injuries 
  • Bone Fractures 
  • Organ impairment
  • Lacerations 
  • Whiplash
  • Internal hemorrhaging

The severity of each of these injuries is contingent upon many factors, including speed, vehicle make, age, and the victim's health condition.

Liability for Public Transit Incidents

Determining the party liable for financial damages is a critical initial step in every personal injury lawsuit, as it establishes accountability for the injuries sustained. It could be the driver of the bus or the driver of the vehicle that collides with the bus you are driving, for instance.

A public transportation collision can rapidly escalate into a far more complicated situation. For instance, if the manufacturer of a bus that malfunctioned and caused the accident is liable for your injuries, then a product liability claim against the manufacturer might be the appropriate course of action.

Additionally, the government agency responsible for operating the transit system may be to blame. In conclusion, a mass transit accident in Texas can be attributed to many individuals or entities, including but not limited to the operator, owner, driver, or government agency. Determining the cause of the disaster is crucial in identifying liability, which may extend to multiple parties.

Constant causes of accidents involving public transportation include:

  • Driver negligence, including but not limited to distractions, fatigue, sleepiness, or falling unconscious; inexperience; disregard for traffic regulations and impairment due to drugs or alcohol.
  • Neglecting to perform routine vehicle maintenance
  • Defective or faulty equipment or parts 
  • Rails or roadways that are inadequately maintained or have flawed designs
  • Inaccurate dispatching
  • Security, lighting, or safety measures that are insufficient 
  • Insufficient training and supervision

When a government experiences liability, it is generally shielded from legal action by the doctrine of sovereign immunity.

How Can a Texas Personal Injury Lawyer Be of Assistance?

Hiring a personal injury attorney is one of the most advantageous courses of action a victim of a public transit accident can embrace. In light of the complexity surrounding public transit accidents and the potential for additional procedural requirements, such as submitting a notice of claim against governmental entities, the representation of an attorney can guarantee the efficient and comprehensive handling of your case.

However, time is of the essence. In contrast to personal injury claims against private entities, which, depending on the jurisdiction, may allow you to file a claim or litigation within a few years, suing a government entity requires more time. In most cases, you have ninety days to submit a notice of claim to the entity; however, this deadline can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Speak with a Public Transportation Accident Attorney in Austin, Texas.

Our Law Firm personal injury attorneys have assisted others and can now help you. Please contact us via our online contact form or at (512) 777-0000. We will be happy to arrange a complimentary consultation to assist you in beginning the process of recovering.

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Mr. Shrum is a highly respected attorney who’s dealt with thousands of cases in and around Travis County. If you are in need of an attorney to help you face this unexpected situation think of Matthew’s Shrum Law Office.

If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or if you yourself have been charged with a crime, you need diligent legal defense. Choose The Law Office Of Matthew Shrum to partner with a trial attorney in Austin who’ll work vigorously to defend your rights at each stage of the legal process.

FAQ Public Transportation Accident

Yes. You may file a lawsuit against public transportation in Texas if the negligence of the operator or the driver caused your accident or injury. Seek immediate legal counsel if you have sustained injuries in a bus or rail collision.

In Texas, regardless of ownership status (government-owned or private), public transportation companies are typically shielded from legal liability by the doctrine of sovereign immunity.

Nevertheless, under specific circumstances, Texas has instituted exceptions and restrictions to sovereign immunity that allow individuals to initiate legal proceedings against public transportation companies. Conditions such as negligence, intentional misconduct, or voluntary waiver of immunity by the entity

Various public transportation catastrophes can be attributed to internal, external, or fault-related factors.

  • Bus mishaps, encompassing collisions, rollovers, and occurrences transpiring during the processes of boarding or disembarking
  • Train collisions, encompassing incidents transpiring at railway crossings, train-on-train collisions, or derailments
  • Subway mishaps, encompassing incidents transpiring within stations, collisions, or derailments
  • Trolley collisions involving trolleys or streetcars on tracks
  • Ferry or water-based ferry incidents
  • Bicycle or pedestrian collisions involving cyclists or pedestrians struck by public vehicles
  • Falls and slips, occurrences transpiring on transit stations, trains, or buses attributable to slippery surfaces, and additional dangers
  • Accident-causing mechanical malfunctions, including brake failure, engine malfunction, and other technical issues

Any category of public transportation mishap may be caused by inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances that are not under the organization's control. Nevertheless, they could also arise due to the motorist or the company's negligence.

Circumstances such as inadequate maintenance, driver error, or neglect to ensure passenger safety may constitute negligence. A viable case against a public transportation entity is based on the particulars of the collision and the applicable legislation.

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