How Public Transportation Accidents Happen

Thursday, December 3, 2020

How Public Transportation Accidents Happen

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Even though they may happen infrequently, public transportation accidents still happen. They are often attributed to the negligence of the driver or the transportation company. An attorney can help you determine how your public transportation accident happened and who is liable. 

Thankfully, accidents involving public transportation are not as common as those involving motor vehicles. However, they do still happen. When they do, they are often the result of negligence or carelessness of other parties. Too many people are needlessly injured or even killed because of their actions. Public transportation companies owe their passengers and the general public a duty of care. If they violate this duty, they can be held liable for the damages they cause. A Chicago personal injury attorney can assess the cause of your injury and identify the parties that may be liable for your damages.

Causes of Public Transportation Accidents in Chicago

Public transportation accidents can occur for several different reasons, many of them involving negligence. The driver, owner, operator, or a government entity could be liable for the damages they cause. Causes of public transportation accidents include:

  1. Driver negligence, such as inexperience, speeding fatigue, drugs or alcohol impairment, distraction, and failing to observe traffic signals
  2. Defective or faulty vehicles or parts
  3. Lack of or negligent vehicle maintenance
  4. Defectively designed or inadequately maintained roads or rails
  5. Incorrect dispatching
  6. Insufficient security, lighting, or safety measures
  7. Lack of proper training and supervision

Sometimes public transportation accidents can be caused by other parties, such as other drivers on the road. Other times it is more than one party. Public transportation accidents can be very complex, often requiring a Chicago personal injury lawyer’s expertise to untangle. In order to pursue compensation for your damages, you need to determine how the accident happened and which parties might be at fault. It is the job of an attorney to get to the bottom of these issues.

Statute of Limitations for Public Transportation Accidents

It’s crucial to note that time constraints limit injury claims. Illinois law dictates how long you have to file a claim, depending on the type of claim and who it is against. The deadline, also known as the statute of limitations, for filing an injury claim against local public entities and the Chicago Transit Authority is one year from the date of the accident as per 745 ILCS 10/8-101 and 70 ILCS 3605/41. With this in mind, contacting a seasoned Chicago personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident is essential to your claim’s validity. If your lawsuit is not filed within the appropriate statute of limitations, you won’t have a legal right to pursue compensation anymore.

Were You Involved in a Public Transportation Accident? Contact a Seasoned Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer at Malman Law

If you were injured in a public transportation accident, you probably have many questions and concerns. Our attorneys can address your legal questions and concerns and help you seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries. We provide free consultations with the Chicago personal injury lawyers at Malman Law. You can get in touch with us today by calling (312) 629-0099 or using our online contact form.

Steve Malman

Malman Law’s founder Attorney Steven Malman has over 30 years of experience handling personal injury, nursing home, medical malpractice, truck accidents, car accidents, premises liability, construction, and workers’ compensation cases in Chicago, IL.

Years of experience: +30 years
Illinois Registration Status: Active and authorized to practice law—Last Registered Year: 2024

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