Public Transit Accidents

Public Transportation Lawyers in Waterdown, St. Thomas and Fort Erie

Throughout Ontario, upgrades in our public transit systems have helped many of our citizens travel quickly and easily, especially since we have seen the rise in traffic and congestion grow on an annual basis. Our transit systems offer many advantages for people to get to work, school and many destinations.

Although our transportation is a safe and effective way of getting around for most people, we also know that public transit accidents happen nonetheless. When these are involved in a collision, injuries and even fatalities have been the result.

 

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Negligence and Public Transportation

Although many people use public transit each day, it can come with a risk. One recent study found that nearly half of all public transit accidents could have been prevented. A significant portion of these accidents were due to negligence.

The lack of seatbelts and other safety features in today’s public transportation can often result in devastating injuries. Injuries such as whiplash, orthopaedic injuries, fractures, traumatic brain injuries, head injuries and whiplash are common in public transit accidents.

How is Fault Determined?

Determining fault in a public transit accident can be difficult. At times, it is difficult to know where liability and fault fall. With public transportation, there are many entities and moving parts to look at. Liability may fall at different places along a continuum. Was it

  • Operator error?
  • Insufficient or no maintenance of the vehicle?
  • Defective equipment?
  • Failure of equipment?
  • Infrastructure?
  • Road conditions?

And even after the cause of the accident is ascertained, who ultimately bears the burden of liability? Is it

  • The private owner of the vehicle?
  • The company owner?
  • A management company?

Duty of Care Extends to Public Transportation

In Ontario, every driver owes a duty of care to others who share the roads. As individual drivers, we are expected, under the law, to drive in a way that doesn’t put others in danger. This duty of care extends to drivers of public transit as well. If they fail to do so, they are considered negligent, the same as the driver of another car would. In this case, the victim is entitled to the same rights as they would be afforded if they were involved in a collision with another private car.

The Complexity of a Public Transit Claim

After a public transit accident, an injury victim may be entitled to compensation for injuries but determining fault and then determining the liable party can be complicated. This is why a public transit accident can be complex for a victim to maneuver on his or her own.

Pursuing a claim for this type of accident should be left to an experienced personal injury lawyer. Consulting a lawyer who has experience and fully understands the law as it pertains to public transit accidents is your best option.

At Barapp Law Firm, we have dedicated our careers to representing the victims of accidents. Over the years, we have represented injury victims of public transit accidents in Waterdown, St. Thomas, Fort Erie and throughout the province to ensure that they get fairly compensated for their injuries. Call us today to discuss your claim in a no-cost consultation. You don’t pay unless we win.