If you have been injured in an accident with public transit, you might be able to pursue damages through a personal injury claim.
What Kinds of Damages Might Be Suffered in an Accident?
If you are injured as a passenger on a city bus, you could suffer life-altering injuries and disabilities. If you have been injured in an accident with a city vehicle as a pedestrian or occupant of another vehicle, you might have damages and injuries both.
You will need to notify proper authorities, so an accident report can be completed. Seek medical care right away because it is imperative to establish treatment.
Maintain documentation to support your claim, such as medical bills, medical records, proof of lost wages, estimates for repairing damages, and photos of injuries and damages.
Here are some common damages claimed in such situations:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future lost wages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Property damages
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Disabilities
Pursuing a Personal Injury Claim
If you can prove that the employees acted negligently and that caused your damages, you can have a successful personal injury claim.
Pursuing a claim against public transportation agencies is not the same as pursuing a claim against an individual.
Government entities are protected by sovereign immunity, but if specific requirements are met and established guidelines are followed, then a claim can be pursued. In some states, you have two years to pursue a claim after most bus accidents.
Aninvestigation team will check into your claim and will often deny any wrongdoing on behalf of the transit authority, but with the help of a police investigation and a personal injury lawyer, you might be able to prove otherwise.
Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have suffered damages in an accident, you should consult with a personal injury attorney who is licensed to practice accident injury law in that state.
Because of the complexity of such claims, you will need an attorney who is familiar with the state and local laws who can ensure all the documentation is filed in a timely manner.
Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, so you have nothing to lose. Get your free case evaluation today!
Additional Resources
- Filing a Personal Injury Claim Against the City of Honolulu or the State of Hawai’i
- 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 TheBus, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
