Accident and Injuries on Public Transportation

 

The Coye Law Firm is an experienced accident law firm serving clients throughout Florida. Our attorneys may be able to help you if you were hurt in an accident on a public bus, shuttle, or train. You may be able to claim damages for your injuries.

People have many reasons for using public transportation. Some metropolitan areas, such as Orlando, Tampa, Miami, or Tallahassee, have taxis and buses to help many people move about the congested city. Trends in environmentalism have promoted public transportation as a way of using less energy per person in daily commutes. The most influential factor, however, may be the economy. Rising gas prices may prevent people from driving as much as they used to and public transportation may be a good alternative.

Public transportation is basically any form of passenger transportation that is open to anyone in the population who chooses to use it. Common forms of public transportation include:

 

All of these forms of transportation have some kind of safety measure to help passengers secure themselves and their belongings. Some may have seat belts, while others may have hand rails. The majority of people who use public transportation may never experience an accident or injury on this form of transit, but those who do may become overwhelmed when it comes to getting treatment or claiming benefits.

 

Public transit accidents can be caused by:

 

Accidents can cause injuries. When a person is injured due to any of the above influences, they may be able to claim benefits. The circumstances of the accident and injury determine who may be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, and other potential benefits.

Car accidents are complex, but when you add in the element of a company-owned vehicle driven by an employee, issues of liability may play a large part in who pays benefits.

 

If your injuries are serious, seek appropriate treatment. This may mean going to a hospital, emergency room, or calling an ambulance. When you're injured in an accident, the most important thing is ensure your safety and comfort. Once that is secure, then you can worry about benefits.

 

Ordinarily, if you own a car in Florida, you can claim personal injury protection benefits from your own insurance policy to help pay for your medical bills even if you were a passenger in another person's car at the time of the accident. But that changes when you're on public transportation; P.I.P. doesn't pay for those instances. If you choose to use your own health insurance, they may have a right to claim benefits from any settlement you collect.

 

When it comes to getting benefits for your injuries after a public transportation accident, your claim is filed against the company that owns the vehicle. Their automobile insurance policy pays benefits for car accident scenarios in many cases. The policy may include medical payments coverage, which can pay benefits to injured passengers. Some companies elect not to purchase this coverage, so their liability insurance is the next source of benefits. Liability coverage may pay benefits to individuals injured while on the company's property, buildings, or vehicles. This coverage plays a part in other premises liability claims, including slip and falls.

Motor vehicle accidents can be confusing, but when you need to communicate with and pursue benefits from a company, you may feel helpless in the fight. An attorney can stand up for your rights in a public transportation accident. Call the Coye Law Firm to discuss your claim and options. We want to help you get the most for your injuries and hardship.