Recovering Compensation Following a Washington D.C. Mass Transit Accident

Generally, the Washington D.C. metro system is a trusted, reliable, and safe means to get from place to place. However, at times, operators or those responsible for maintaining these means of mass transit are negligent, often causing accidents as a result. If you are someone who has been injured in a train or bus accident, you are most likely now seeking financial compensation to help cover the cost of your medical bills, in-home care, lost wages, and more. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What most commonly causes bus accidents?

Bus accidents can be extremely damaging, and though outside conditions, such as inclement weather, can contribute, the most common cause of bus accidents is driver negligence. Some examples of bus driver accidents are as follows:

  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Failing to check massive blind spots
  • Unsafely changing lanes
  • Discharging passengers on unsafe roadways
  • Texting while driving
  • Driving while fatigued
  • Suddenly stopping or starting the bus

What are the most common causes of train accidents?

Due to their massive size and rapid speed at which they travel, one can only imagine how severe injuries sustained in train accidents can be. Unfortunately, most of these accidents are preventable and are therefore due to train operator or maintenance negligence. Some examples of train operator negligence are as follows:

  • Improperly braking
  • Speeding
  • Giving crew members improper instructions
  • Failing to secure or release hand brakes on times
  • Neglecting to comply with orders
  • Operating while drowsy, fatigued, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol

On the other hand, some examples of negligent train maintenance are as follows:

  • Broken switches
  • Worn down rails
  • Tracks in disrepair
  • Broken welds
  • Cracks around bolt holes

How do I recover compensation following a mass transit accident?

To recover financial compensation after a mass transit accident, your attorney must prove that you were injured due to another party’s negligence. To do so, your attorney will gather and utilize various types of evidence, including security camera footage, pictures of the safety hazard, witness testimony, police reports, medical documents, and more.

What is a Notice of Claim?

When you file a personal injury lawsuit against a municipality, the statute of limitations changes. So, for example, while the statute of limitations for most standard personal injury claims in Washington D.C. is three years, when you file a lawsuit against a municipality, you will first have to file a Notice of Claim within six months of your accident. Hiring an experienced attorney today can help ensure you meet all the necessary deadlines to properly file a lawsuit.

Contact our experienced Washington D.C. firm

The experienced personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys at Trombly & Singer, PLLC are prepared to represent clients facing legal matters after being injured due to another person’s negligence. If you require strong legal representation in Washington D.C. or Maryland, contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.