Special Issues When Dealing With Public Transportation Accidents

When you are injured in a bus or train accident, the road to getting fair compensation for your injuries can be longer and harder than you imagine. There are several factors that can make processing injury claims for the passengers on buses and trains difficult. If you don’t have the help of an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer, you may miss your chance to make a claim for your damages.

Several Victims and Possible Coverage Issues

One challenge to cases involving public transportation crashes is the number of accident victims. Unlike a typical car crash, there can be hundreds of victims when a bus or train are involved. If the bus or train operator is at fault, the transportation agency or private company may be overwhelmed with claims, slowing the compensation process.

While the entity that operates the bus or the train has a special duty to keep passengers safe while they travel, they are generally not legally liable for the negligent actions of a third party. If a negligent driver of another vehicle caused an accident, that driver’s insurance may be on the hook for the damages to the injured passengers. But, the driver’s own insurance may not be enough to pay for all the damage the driver has caused. The injured passengers may have to look elsewhere for compensation.

Strict Time and Notice Limits

Illinois, like most states, has a statute of limitations on personal injury claims. When you are hurt in an accident you only have a short time period to make a claim, usually two years. When your claim is against a government agency or entity, like a County Transit Authority (CTA), there are special rules you have to follow before you can bring a case against the agency. You have to give notice of a claim within one year of the accident.

Sometimes you will have to file a lawsuit to keep your claim alive, even if you are still recovering from your injuries. If you do not meet all of the technical time and notice requirements, your claim may be tossed out of court, and you may be unable to collect any compensation for your pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a public transportation accident, you need to contact an experienced Lake County personal injury lawyer. Call the law firm of Salvi & Maher, LLP at 847-662-3303 today to schedule a consultation. You may only have a brief time to make your claim.

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=2017&ChapterID=56&SeqStart=99900000&SeqEnd=103300000