- Operator error or negligence—The driver of a bus, train or other public transit vehicle has a duty to act as a reasonable person would, under the circumstances. This customarily means that the driver must obey all traffic signs and signals, stopping for red lights or stop signs, and maintaining a prudent speed under existing conditions. There are other ways, however, that a driver may be negligent, such as working too many hours without adequate rest or breaks, reporting to work while sick or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications. If the driver took any action that was unreasonable, and you suffered injury as a result, you may be able to seek damages for your losses.
- Negligent or improper maintenance of a public transportation vehicle—This can include a failure to conduct routine safety checks or maintenance, as well as neglecting to repair known mechanical problems.
- Negligent design or construction of public transportation vehicles, or negligent design or manufacture of train tracks or transit routes
Public Transportation Injuries
July 3, 2012 by
As the price of gas has steadily crept up over the last decade, more and more residents of the greater Philadelphia area have turned to public transportation to get to jobs, school, medical appointments and other places they need to go. While the statistics show that there are far fewer serious and fatal accidents involving buses, trains and other forms of public transportation than there are in cars, public transportation still poses a legitimate risk of serious and catastrophic injury.
Public transportation accidents can have a variety of causes, including: