In Alabama, many choose public transportation as their way of traveling around without having to spend money on gas or auto insurance. However, the last thing you expect as a passenger is to be injured while riding on a bus, subway, or train. Unfortunately, public transit accidents are much more common than most realize. If you have been injured in a public transit accident, it’s important to understand the necessary steps you should take to ensure your well-being and protect your legal rights. Please continue reading to learn how to proceed to recover the compensation you deserve and why connecting with a determined Birmingham Auto Accident Lawyer is in your best interest.
How Does a Public Transit Accident Happen?
Although state and federal laws require all public transportation authorities to exercise the greatest safety and precautions when transporting passengers to mitigate the risk of a collision, public transit accidents can occur for several reasons. Common causes of bus and rail accidents in Alabama include the following:
- Driver error
- Improperly maintained vehicles
- Unsafe or poorly maintained roadways
- Unsafe railroad or subway tracks
- Malfunctioning equipment
- Intoxication
- Other drivers
- Derailments
What Steps Should I Take After a Public Transit Accident?
If you have been seriously injured while riding on public transportation, it is important to understand how to proceed to safeguard your health and legal rights. Understandably, this can be an overwhelming time, however, it is in your best interest to stay calm. You should seek immediate medical attention by contacting emergency services to report the accident. This is especially important if the crash is blocking traffic or if any passengers are seriously injured. If you don’t need emergency medical care, you can take your time to provide details to the police.
If you are physically capable and it is reasonably safe to do so, you should remain at the scene to gather as much evidence as possible from the accident scene. Take photos of the scene, vehicles involved, and any visible injuries you have sustained. In addition, you should gather other passengers’ contact information.
It’s important to note that a representative from the transportation company will likely arrive on the scene to inform passengers of the next steps. However, if they attempt to provide you with a claim form you should not complete it until you have had the opportunity to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer. If you make a mistake it can result in your claim being disputed and potentially reduce the value of your claim.
As you can see, navigating the claims process after a public transit accident can be complex. As such, you should connect with a trusted Birmingham auto accident lawyer, who can help you fight for the justice you deserve. Contact Alabama Personal Injury Lawyers, LLC today to learn more about how we can help you fight for your rights.