Injuries Possible Due to Mass Transit Accidents
In a mass transit accident, there is the potential for severe injuries to occur, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, burns, internal damage, and crush-related injuries. It’s also possible for someone to die as a result of the accident. These injuries occur in serious accidents and are relatively uncommon. Most accidents are minor and injuries are minimal as a result. When the accident is more serious, there is a much higher chance of severe and permanent injuries or death. In mass transit vehicles, seatbelts aren’t required, so while the likelihood of an accident is lower than in a car, the potential for severe injuries can be higher in a major accident.
First Steps to Take After an Accident
Knowing the right steps to take after an accident can make the difference between recovery or more serious injuries and help with obtaining compensation for the damages. Those in a mass transit accident will want to take the following steps when possible.
• Seek Immediate Medical Care – Immediate medical attention can help minimize potential injuries and help save those who are severely injured after an accident. First aid kits should be available if needed.
• Reach Out for Emergency Services – If anyone is severely injured, reach out for emergency services to get medical care fast. Police will arrive, as well, and start doing an investigation of how the accident occurred.
• Preserve Any Evidence From the Accident – If there is any evidence of how the accident happened, such as a video on a smartphone, take steps to preserve it as quickly as possible.
• Gather Evidence to Help With Claim – If possible, take photos and videos of the accident scene. Gather any information possible about the accident, including the name of the driver and details about the time of day and how the accident occurred.
• Speak With a Lawyer – It’s a good idea to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. Compensation may be available to help with recovery after a mass transit accident and having a lawyer can make it easier to get the full amount of compensation owed.
Helpful Evidence for an Accident Claim
It is helpful to have evidence available when filing an accident claim or speaking with a lawyer about the case. Evidence can vary depending on the accident itself and the ability to gather evidence after the accident occurs. Some of the evidence common for this type of claim includes the following.
• Video Footage – If the victim was taking a video when the accident occurred or before the accident, the footage can help determine how the accident occurred. Video footage may also be obtained from others on the vehicle or from witnesses to the accident.
• Photos of the Scene – If victims are able, they may get video footage and photos after the accident to show the scene. This can also be obtained from witnesses, news crews, and other sources.
• Witness Statements – Contact information for any witnesses is important to have and may be available through formal reports or other methods. Witness statements can help determine how the accident occurred.
• Maintenance Records – The company can provide maintenance records for the vehicle, showing what shape the vehicle was in when the accident occurred. A lawyer may be needed to access these records, especially if they indicate fault on behalf of the company.
• Driver’s History – Like maintenance records, the driver’s history can be important and can provide more insight into the accident’s cause. This may also require a lawyer to obtain.
• Surveillance Videos – Surveillance videos from street cameras or stores before and at the scene of the accident can be used to show how the accident happened. A lawyer may be needed to obtain these videos.
• Formal Reports – Formal reports are generally available to anyone who requests them and can provide more information about the accident. Formal reports include details about the crash and can be created by the police or other first responders as well as any agencies involved in determining how the accident occurred.
If any evidence is not available or cannot be obtained by the victim, a lawyer may be able to access it. Victims may have limited evidence to provide to their lawyer after the accident, but more may be available in the days and weeks after the accident occurs. A lawyer will be able to gather this evidence as it becomes known to help strengthen the victim’s case.
Determining Liability for a Mass Transit Accident
Mass transit accidents are often complex when it comes to determining liability. It is not always the driver or their company that will be held liable after the accident. Evidence is needed to determine how the accident occurred and who could be liable. If the accident occurred due to poorly maintained roads, the city could be liable. If the accident occurred due to another vehicle, that vehicle’s driver may be liable for the accident. A lawyer can help sort through all of the evidence and information to determine who is liable.
If you’ve been in a mass transit accident and were injured, it’s important to seek the right help to gain compensation. The compensation is intended to help cover medical bills and other expenses related to the accident, but it can be difficult to obtain. Our team has handled claims for compensation after mass transit accidents, so we know exactly what to do and how to provide the right help for you. Call us today to schedule a consultation and to learn more about what we can do to help with your claim.
FAQs About Mass Transit Accidents
Mass transit accidents can have catastrophic results and it’s crucial to get the right help to gain compensation for any injuries. It is likely you will have many questions while you wait to speak with a lawyer about the case. Read through the FAQs below to get answers to some of the questions you might have and to learn more about these cases before your consultation.
What Types of Vehicles are Considered Mass Transit?
Mass transit vehicles include any vehicles designed to carry passengers in exchange for a fee. This can include the subway, buses, taxis, trains, planes, and other vehicles.
How Common are Mass Transit Accidents?
Mass transit accidents are less likely to occur compared to car accidents, but they do happen. Most mass transit accidents are minor and result in minimal or no injuries to passengers. Occasionally, there are more serious accidents that can lead to severe or permanent injuries.
Am I More Likely to Be Injured Compared to Being in a Car?
It is more likely to be in an accident in a car compared to using mass transit. However, due to the size and the number of people in a mass transit vehicle, if a serious accident does occur, it is more likely you will be severely injured. This potential increases due to the number of people as well as the lack of seatbelts or other safety features standard in cars and other personal vehicles.
What Should I Do After a Mass Transit Accident?
After a mass transit accident, seek medical attention immediately. If possible, take photos of the accident scene and gather any available information. Secure the information and speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. While you’re recovering from injuries, the lawyer can start working on the case.
Do I Need to Seek Medical Care After an Accident?
If you do not have severe injuries, it is still a good idea to seek medical care. If you do not have any injuries, medical care may not be required. If you are injured in any way, prompt medical attention can create a record of the injuries, which can be helpful in seeking compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
With car accidents, victims have two years to file a claim. With mass transit accidents, however, the time to file is much shorter. Victims must file a claim within six months of the accident. If the claim is not filed within this time, the victim may be unable to receive compensation for their injuries. It is possible for there to be exceptions to this, but a lawyer is required to determine if that is likely to apply in a specific case.
Who is Liable for the Accident?
Liability can fall on several different parties depending on how the accident occurred, making this a complex topic. Potentially liable parties can include the driver, the company they work for, the mechanic who works on the vehicle, the city, other drivers on the road, and more. More than one party may end up being liable for a major mass transit accident, which can complicate the case further.
What Can a Lawyer Do to Help Me?
A lawyer is crucial when dealing with mass transit claims. They can help gather any evidence needed, help determine liability, and help throughout the claims process. They can also help victims negotiate a higher settlement to ensure it covers any accident-related expenses. These accidents can lead to severe injuries that will take a significant amount of time to recover from or permanently change the victim’s life. A lawyer can focus on the legal aspects of the case, handling the claim, while the victim can focus on their recovery.
Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Claim?
It is not required for anyone to have a lawyer, but it is highly recommended. Lawyers have access to more than the victim may, so they can gather evidence the victim may not be able to obtain. Lawyers also have a significant amount of experience, so they know what to do and what to avoid doing after a mass transit accident. This can make a huge difference in the outcome of the case.
How Do I Pay for a Lawyer?
After an accident resulting in severe or permanent injuries, working may not be possible, leaving victims worried about how to afford a lawyer. For this type of case, lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means victims do not pay upfront and only pay the lawyer if they receive a settlement. The legal fees are built into the settlement, so this does not take away from money intended to cover medical bills and related expenses.
How Much Compensation Can I Receive?
Each case is different, so the amount of compensation will vary. Victims can receive a significant amount of compensation if they are severely or permanently injured as a result of the accident, as they will have high medical bills to cover along with other expenses. Talking with a lawyer allows the victim to learn more about how much the case may be worth.
What Types of Compensation are Available?
The types of compensation depend on the accident and the severity of any injuries. Most of the time, compensation will include current medical expenses, future medical costs associated with the accident, lost wages, the loss of future earnings, property damage, and related expenses. On top of this, it may be possible to receive compensation that is not quantifiable, such as compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life. This is given to victims when their life is permanently altered by the accident. If someone dies as a result of the accident, their next of kin may receive funds to cover funeral and burial expenses.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Settlement?
It can take a significant amount of time to receive a settlement after the accident. Investigations may be ongoing for months or longer to determine the cause of the accident. Then, negotiations may be needed for the insurance companies involved and the victim to come to an agreement on how much money should be paid. If the negotiations are not successful, the case can go to trial. Though this isn’t common, when it does happen, it can significantly add to the timeline
Getting the right help can make a difference if you’re involved in a mass transit accident and can allow you to get full compensation for any injuries you sustain. If you do not already have assistance, call us today to schedule your consultation and get more answers to any questions you might have.
