When you enter a bus, taxi, or subway car; you are entrusting your life to the operator(s) of the vehicle, as well as the company who owns it. We are supposed to feel safe in these vehicles. But it is important to remember that injury can still occur. Accidents occur every day. Injuries in public transport can be exacerbated further because of a lack of seatbelts or airbags. Standing passengers are even more likely to be hurt. If you are injured due on or because of a public transport vehicle, bite back. D’Agostino and Associates, P.C. can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Reasons for Your Claim
There are a multitude of injuries that can occur from a bus or train accident. Driver negligence and slip/trip and falls can be common causes of injury on a bus. Claims can also be made due to poor maintenance of stops and stations, especially in icy conditions. Whiplash, sprained and torn ligaments, back injuries, lacerations, contusions, and abrasions are very common injuries a passenger may suffer on public transport. More serious injuries can be, but are not limited to; death, concussion, spinal injury, broken bones, herniated disks, severed limbs, scarring, and Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
In the cases of injury on a public transport, the operator should be made aware of it. It is generally up to the bus driver/train operator to call for emergency services. If they are unable to due to their own injuries, then a passenger in the vehicle should notify the authorities.
Gathering Information for Your Case
One of the most important things about Public Transportation cases is that most of these vehicles have camera systems in them. If possible, make note of the bus’ number/licence plate as well as the operator’s badge number; plus their phone number or email address. Try to make note of the time and location of the injury, as well as the weather of the day. The bus or train line can also very important in these cases. If an incident or police report is filed, you should request a copy. Witness testimony can also benefit your case.
Know Your Duty to Mitigate
In many cases with public transportation, the Duty to Mitigate is a factor that can make or break a claim. This means that if you have the ability to prevent or avoid further injury, you should take it. Failure to do so can result in losing the case or not receiving full compensation for your injury. An example of this could be taking the proper precautions to prevent infection to your injury. Such as going to see a medical professional, and taking the prescribed antibiotics. Another example of this could even be simply avoiding the icy part of a bus stop or platform; if an effort had been made to create a safer, clearer path.
Get Legal Assistance
It can be hard to go through an injury caused from public transportation without legal support. Many transport companies have strong legal teams and claims experts, so it is important for you to have a team behind you that can get the job done right. You should not meet with other parties involved in the accident without your lawyer present. Signing anything from another party or from that party’s lawyer without first discussing it with your legal counsel is generally not a good idea.
For over 25 years, D’Agostino & Associates, P.C. has been assisting people in the New York/New Jersey area with injury cases of all shapes and sizes; from public transportation cases to slip and fall claims. Bite Back with D’Agostino & Associates, P.C.
