If you’ve been hurt on public transportation, liability may fall on the entity operating the transit system — especially if the injury was caused by a safety oversight or negligence. Public transit accidents are caused by many factors, such as negligence on the part of a bus driver, sudden starts and stops, or inadequately maintained equipment.
After a public transportation accident, it’s not always easy to determine who is responsible and, consequently, if you have a legitimate claim. A personal injury attorney can help, which is why we offer free consultations.
How Common are Public Transit Accidents?
Every year, thousands of people are injured in public transit accidents. Even low-speed accidents, such as fender-benders involving tour buses or taxis, can cause serious injury. These injuries can create a number of significant costs and damages, including:
- Hospital stays
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation
- Medication
- Time spent with various specialists
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of employability or ability to perform job-related tasks
The consequences of an injury involving a public transportation vehicle can be painful and inconvenient at best and devastating at worst. When someone else’s error brings such damages upon you, it is imperative that you take action to hold them accountable.
California’s Common Carrier Laws
In California, common carrier laws will have an effect on your case. (The term “common carrier” refers to any mode of public transportation, such as buses, taxis, trains, airlines, etc.)
According to California Civil Code § 2100, “A carrier of persons for reward must use the utmost care and diligence for their safe carriage, must provide everything necessary for that purpose, and must exercise to that end a reasonable degree of skill.”
When a carrier of persons (such as a bus driver) fails to exercise the highest level of caution, they may be liable for your injuries.
This means a bus driver, train conductor, taxi driver, or any other person operating a public transportation vehicle bears heightened responsibility to preserve passengers’ safety. In a normal personal injury case, you may have to prove a greater degree of negligence or recklessness. However, if you are injured on a common carrier, the court will likely consider even a relatively low level of negligence to civilly responsible.
Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook Is Here to Help
Our team at Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook has decades of knowledge and experience in personal injury cases, and we know just how to help you. If you have been hurt in an accident involving public transportation of any kind (even if you were not a passenger), our Walnut Creek personal injury lawyers will work to help you hold the carrier responsible for the results of their negligence.
Contact us or call (925) 275-5592 to schedule your free case evaluation.