Mass Transit Accidents

Oakland Public Transportation Accident Lawyer

Buses, taxis, trains — these are called “common carriers,” and a special area of law applies to them. Operators of mass transit vehicles are held to a higher standard of care than average drivers because so many people’s safety depends upon them. If the driver of a bus, taxi or train is negligent or derelict in duty and it leads to the injury or death of passengers, a jury may award money in damages to victims. Because the jury will hear instructions regarding the heightened duty and responsibilities of common carriers, they often make larger damage awards because of this “aggravated liability.”

Bus, Train And Taxi Accident Attorneys

If you were injured as a passenger of a bus (MUNI, AC Transit, SAM TRANS, VTA), taxi, BART train, San Francisco Muni (municipal railway), or other “common carrier,” talk with an injury lawyer before you sign any papers or settle any claim with the common carrier. Be sure you understand your rights and that you protect your ability to recover full compensation for your injuries. Contact Oakland public transportation accident attorney [nap_names id=”FIRM-NAME-3″] for a free case evaluation and an explanation of your rights in a public transportation accident case; 510-893-3741 or e-mail us today.

What Is Aggravated Liability?

Oakland attorney [nap_names id=”FIRM-NAME-3″] handled a case for a person who was struck by a car along the highway. In this case the client had been riding a bus home from an area casino when the bus broke down. A rescue bus arrived but was heading in the wrong direction. The driver unwisely decided to turn around in the center of the two lane road and during that maneuver a truck coming down the road had to swerve to miss the bus. The truck hit the passengers standing on the side of the road instead.

The bus company has a duty to ensure the safety of its passengers. In this case there were several ways in which the bus driver’s actions were unsafe and directly contributed to the serious injuries suffered by Mr. Smith’s client. The insurer paid $4.5 million to settle this case prior to trial.

Having Problems With The Cab Company?

You were the passenger in a taxi that got in an accident. Now you are trying to get the cab company to pay your medical bills, but you’re getting the run around. Cab companies are notorious for being unresponsive — and for changing insurance companies again and again so injured people can’t bring a claim against them.

They’ve got a million excuses:

They didn’t know the name of the driver
They didn’t get the police report
They don’t remember the accident happening

Contacting A Public Transportation Attorney

If you are having trouble getting information from a taxi company, we can often cut through the confusion and the red tape. We can get insurance information and accident reports; for help from an public transportation attorney in Oakland call 510-893-3741 or contact us online today.

Representing Bay Area Clients
In Personal Injury Claims Since 1978