If you are injured or your vehicle damaged in an accident with any public transit vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation if you can prove who was at fault. Bus accidents, in particular, can cause serious injuries.
You will need to act swiftly if contemplating claiming compensation because of the limited statute of limitations in certain states. Talk to a personal injury attorney before making a claim.
How an Accident Could Happen with a City Bus
Light rail accidents rarely affect other road users and pedestrians. If a train does come off the rails or crashes, it mostly affects the passengers onboard and staff.
Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and other road users can on the other hand be injured by a city bus that has been badly driven or has got out of control because of a defective part or component.
Driver error tends to be the most frequent cause of bus accidents. Drivers may fail to keep a look out for other road users, especially if they are on foot or on two wheels.
Many accidents happen when a bus moves in or out of a bus stop suddenly, changes lanes without indicating or fails to yield the right of way at an intersection.
Damages You Could Claim
Most personal injury plaintiffs know that they can claim for the cost of medical treatment and any repairs or replacement of damaged property, but may not be aware that if they are forced to stay away from their normal job, they can claim for lost earnings as well.
The other component of a personal injury claim is compensation for the pain and suffering experienced because of the accident.
How to Make a Personal Injury Claim
The main consideration when thinking of making a claim against the city is that the state’s statute of limitations as it applies to governmental entities is 180 days from the date of the injury. That means that if you fail to file a claim with the city within that time frame you may lose any chance of obtaining compensation.
Proof of negligence by either the bus operator or the transit company itself is necessary for a successful claim; Evidence can take the form of witness statements, the police report, if any, and a damage report to your vehicle.
All other documentation which substantiates why you are making a claim should be provided with the claim.
Why You Should Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer
A personal injury lawyer can make the difference between a badly prepared claim and one that includes the documentation which proves negligence has occurred and outlines why you are claiming what you are claiming. A personal injury lawyer with experience in injury claims can help you with your claim.
Additional Resources
- Filing a Personal Injury Claim Against the City of Sacramento*
- Proving Negligence in a Personal Injury Claim
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against SacRT, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
