Over 2.3 million people call the city of Houston home. As the area continues to grow, public transportation has gained in popularity and become a more viable way to travel. Unfortunately, as the demand for better public transportation grows, so too does the potential for dangerous accidents involving buses and trains.
Public transportation accidents can cause catastrophic injuries, injuries that can drain your time and money. At The DJF Law Firm, PLLC, we are committed to helping public transportation accident victims pursue the compensation they deserve. Our legal team firmly believes that public transportation drivers and the companies they work for should be held responsible for their careless actions. For that reason, we will diligently work with you to build a claim that gives you the best chance at recovering the money you need to move forward with your life after a public transportation injury.
If you or someone close to you has been injured in a public transportation accident, The DJF Law Firm, PLLC wants to build a compelling case seeking maximum compensation for you. Contact our office at 832-529-3476 to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced Houston public transportation attorneys.
Do you need a Houston public transportation accident attorney following a crash? The answer is a resounding yes. Public transportation accident claims are more complex than other accident cases. One factor that makes public transportation accident claims more complicated is that these services are often operated by private or government entities. Private companies have insurers and lawyers at their disposal, ready to fight to protect the company and its profits.
In the case of government-operated public transportation services, the Texas Tort Claims Act limits lawsuits against government entities and could impact the amount of compensation you can pursue following an accident with a bus owned or operated by the City of Houston.
In either situation, pursuing the compensation you deserve can be challenging. Going up against a private company or government entity can make you feel like the little guy. Let us help even the field and protect your rights by:
An experienced Houston public transportation attorney can help you find the best path forward in your situation.
Public transportation can be an effective way to traverse the sprawling city of Houston. Although there are several transportation options in Houston, like private bus and train services, the Houston METRO is perhaps the most widely recognized and used public transportation system. METRO is the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County. It offers buses, light rail, paratransit, and other lift services to the people of Houston.
Statistics indicate that over 6 million people utilized Houston’s public transportation system in 2018. Most people opt for METRO’s bus service, which offers dozens of routes that crisscross the city. Although the light rail only has about 22 miles of track, it is a fast and reliable way to get from point A to point B and is the second most popular public transportation option behind the METRO bus service. Another 610,000 people used the city’s park & ride system.
Unfortunately, the most common cause of public transportation accidents is driver error. Although public transportation operators are professionals, accidents can still occur.
One significant problem for public transportation professionals is the long and unusual hours of operation. Driver fatigue is a common problem among public transportation professionals. Fatigue can turn a seemingly routine trip across town into a dangerous venture. It can also compromise an operator’s ability to think and function effectively. Fatigue can also cloud an operator’s judgment, making it difficult to react and make vital safety decisions. One transportation publication estimates that at least ten percent of bus drivers and 26 percent of train operators claim fatigue impacts their job performance at least once a week.
Other common causes of public transportation accidents include:
Poor visibility and inclement weather can also play a crucial role in public transportation accidents.
The job of any public transportation service is to transport large groups of people over sometimes vast distances. A public transportation vehicle must be large and powerful to accomplish this task. Unfortunately, large and powerful vehicles can cause tremendous damage when they are involved in accidents, impacting the people using the public transportation service and drivers of other vehicles. Traumatic and life-altering injuries are not uncommon. Some of the most common injuries associated with Houston public transportation accidents are:
Not all public transportation injuries leave behind physical scars. Being involved in a large-scale public transportation accident is also mentally traumatizing. Many victims of public transportation accidents also experience mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. You should immediately discuss mental health conditions that manifest after a public transportation accident with your health care professional.
The Houston METRO is a state government agency. There is a unique set of rules governing how accident victims can pursue compensation following an accident caused by a government-owned vehicle. The Texas Tort Claims Act offers government entities partial immunity and, to an extent, protects the government from lawsuits and legal claims after a crash.
First, to file a claim against the Houston METRO or other government-run public transportation system, you must be involved in an accident caused by the wrongful actions or negligence of a government employee. This accident must also be caused by the operation of a motor-driven vehicle or motor-driven equipment like a bus. Simply put, to pursue compensation from the government following a bus accident, the accident must have been caused by the careless actions of a bus driver or a mechanical failure.
Second, the Texas Tort Claims Act caps the maximum amount of compensation you can recover after an accident. Monetary damages are limited depending on the circumstances of the crash. To determine the value of your claim, talk to a knowledgeable public transportation attorney.
The METRO has a system for filing an accident claim. An individual is generally required to complete the necessary paperwork following a public transportation accident and deliver it to the Houston METRO office in person or via mail. You may also need to provide specific information about the incident and your injuries to substantiate your claim.
Recovering money from the government after a Houston public transportation accident is not easy. It is always in your best interest to talk to an experienced Houston public transportation attorney about your legal options and how to proceed with recovering the money you deserve.
Not all public transportation options are owned or operated by a government agency. If you are involved in a crash, and the vehicle is owned or operated by a private transportation company, the process for recovering compensation is different. To get the money you deserve, seek the assistance of an experienced Houston public transportation attorney. An attorney can calculate the value of your claim and help you narrow your legal options, like negotiating with an insurer or filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Claims with private companies can be just as complicated as government claims, but for different reasons. Often, private companies have teams of insurers and attorneys working on their behalf to protect the company and its profits. Most companies will want to limit what they offer accident victims, keeping more money in their pockets.
Although the value of all public transportation accident claims will vary, most victims can pursue compensation for the following:
There is a time limit for filing personal injury lawsuits in Texas. Following a significant Houston public transportation accident, get in touch with a skilled attorney as soon as possible to review your options and find the best path to compensation in your situation.
When you choose public transportation, you are putting your safety in the hands of professional operators. Unfortunately, sometimes these public transportation operators make mistakes. When this happens, and you are hurt, you deserve fair compensation for your injuries. At The DJF Law Firm, PLLC, we want to hold public transportation officials accountable and help you recover the compensation you need to recover from your injuries.
If you’ve been hurt in a public transportation accident, contact the experienced legal team at The DJF Law Firm, PLLC today. We can set you up with a free and confidential consultation to discuss the details of your claim and how we may be able to help you pursue compensation. Call our Houston legal office at 832-529-3476 now.