New Orleans Public Transportation Accident Attorneys

Taking public transportation is often cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and safer than simply driving, but that doesn’t mean that things always go smoothly. In 2017 alone, the American Public Transportation Association counted over 5,000 transit collision events, with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics counting 22,680 injuries. With the mix of buses, streetcars, and personal vehicles that utilize the New Orleans streets, collisions are inevitable.

When a collision occurs involving two personal vehicles, fault and responsibility for compensation are determined relatively simply. The driver at fault owes the victim. In public transportation accidents, the driver isn’t responsible for paying out the damages. That onus falls on the public transportation company that hired and trained them.

If you have been injured in a public transportation accident in New Orleans, contact our lawyers at Lamothe Law Firm. Our experienced team will work to ensure that you get the compensation you are owed.

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How We Handle Public Transportation Injuries

Public transportation accidents require the same burdens of proof as any other accident. You will still need to provide medical records to prove the extent of your injuries, and will need to make your case as to why it is the responsibility of the company to pay for your recovery costs.  We do this through the use of medical records, expert testimony, and other forms of proof including:

  • Driver logs
  • Traffic camera footage
  • Historic medical records
  • Witness testimony
  • Review of driver regulation

Steps to Take After a Public Transportation Accident

Whether you were a passenger taking public transportation, a pedestrian who was hit, or the driver of a car that was hit, the steps are the same. It’s important to take action immediately after the accident, whether for your own safety or to collect as much evidence as possible for your attorney. 

  1. Check yourself for injuries. If you are injured, seek medical attention.
  2. Check if someone has called the police. If no one has, call the police.
  3. Collect contact information from fellow passengers, witnesses, and drivers. They are witnesses.
  4. Take photos of the scene.
  5. Contact an attorney.

Causes of Public Transportation Accidents

Public transportation accidents have the same basic causes as any motor vehicle accidents: distraction, poor conditions, failure to obey traffic rules, etc. That being said, public transportation accidents have more parallels to commercial trucking accidents than car accidents due to the company vehicle and driver aspect as well as the sheer size of the vehicles. Even at city speeds, a bus can cause serious damage due to its weight alone. Trains that have longer stopping distances can be even more disastrous.

One constant in public transportation accidents where the driver is at fault is that the public transportation company is responsible. As the party that hired and trained the driver and is responsible for the upkeep of their vehicles, they are responsible when things go wrong.

What the Transportation Company is Responsible for Compensating

One of the reasons why the company rather than the driver is responsible for compensating damages is that no personal auto insurance would be able to cover the injuries of a large number of passengers. If a company is well managed, they will have the insurance to cover any injured parties, as well as the proper training hiring, and maintenance practices to avoid injuries. If they do not have these systems in place, they should not be in the business of transportation. 

Some damages that can be claimed after a public transportation accident include:

Lamothe Law Firm public transportation lawyers understand the importance of getting you the full amount you are owed. Your recovery depends on your avoidance of financial ruin, and we are dedicated to your recovery. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Why Hire Us

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