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New Haven offers several options for public transportation, including CTransit buses, the Union Station to Downtown shuttle, Greyhound buses, Yale Shuttle, and the commuter train. Fortunately, most public transportation rides end without incident, but when an accident happens on public transportation, it impacts dozens of passengers and their families with damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. After a public transportation accident in New Haven, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn for help navigating this type of complex injury claim. A public transportation accident attorney is the best way to move forward so you can focus on your physical well-being while they concentrate on your financial recovery.
Buses are large, difficult-to-maneuver vehicles requiring lengthy stopping times and wide turns. They often have poor visibility and extended blind spots. Trains can take a mile or more to stop, making it difficult or impossible to avoid collisions and derailment when there’s trouble. All public transportation vehicles require diligent maintenance and careful operation to keep passengers safe. Common causes of public transportation accidents in New Haven include the following:
Buses, trains, tracks, and roadways must be well-maintained to prevent accidents, and drivers and operators must adhere to traffic laws and avoid distractions. Failing to take reasonable measures and causing an accident with injuries to passengers leaves the responsible entity liable for damages to victims.
Serious accidents are chaotic and terrifying when they involve multiple injured passengers on public transit systems like buses, trains, and shuttles. Injuries such as fractures, traumatic brain injuries, burns, soft-tissue injuries, back and neck injuries, and lacerations are common. Injuries can be exacerbated by passengers panicking or attempting to exit the bus quickly. Serious injuries are expensive to treat and may cause medical bills to pile up at the same time the injured victim cannot return to work. A successful compensation claim after a public transportation accident in New Haven could include compensation for damages such as the following:
A public transit passenger is never at fault for an accident under Connecticut’s modified comparison negligence laws; therefore, an injury victim is entitled to collect compensation for their damages from the at-fault party.
Unlike typical Connecticut car accidents involving negligent drivers, there could be multiple liable parties in a public transportation accident case in New Haven or elsewhere. Your case requires an in-depth investigation to determine the cause of the accident, the responsible party or parties, and the correct insurance company to file a claim against. Recovering compensation begins with seeking medical treatment immediately after the accident, obtaining a copy of the police accident report, and hiring an attorney to investigate, document evidence, negotiate for maximum compensation, and represent your interests in court if necessary.
An accident victim who suffers serious injuries and damages deserves compensation, particularly after the significant physical and emotional trauma of an accident on a bus or train filled with terrified passengers. Handling a claim against a public transit system is more complex than accident claims between private car drivers. Call Weber & Rubano for the New Haven car accident lawyers with years of experience handling complex injury claims, including for victims of Connecticut public transportation accidents.