Public Transportation Attorney

Public Transportation Attorney

Leading Illinois Public Transportation Crash Lawyer

You may need to hire an Illinois public transportation crash lawyer if you or your loved ones need legal representation for public transportation claim. Public transportation is generally safe, compared with being an occupant within a private vehicle.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Due to negligent operation and maintenance failures, public transit can go wrong very quickly. Because public transportation services have a duty to provide safe transportation for all passengers, injured victims have the right to pursue financial compensation when their trip goes afoul.

Here at Owaynat Law, our public transportation crash lawyers in Illinois have successfully represented many public transportation crash victims, helping them to recover the compensation they deserve. To maximize your compensation from a public transportation crash, we strongly urge you to seek the legal assistance of Owaynat Law.

Personal Injury Cases We Handled Involving All of the Types of Public Carriers in Illinois

We handle personal injury cases involving all of the following types of public carriers:

• Valley Metro city buses;
• Charter buses;
• Statewide buses;
• Interstate buses;
• School buses;
• Light rail;
• Trains;
• Street cars;
• Airport shuttle services;
• Private limousine services; and
• Taxis.

Negligent Illinois Operators

The most common cause of traffic collisions is human error. This is no different for public transportation collisions; either the operator or another driver likely caused the crash in which you were involved. Common causes of collisions due to negligent driving include the following:

• Careless driving;
• Inexperienced driving;
• Reckless driving;
• Drowsy driving;
• Intoxicated driving;
• Speeding; and
• Aggressive or impatient driving.

In order to prove liability, a thorough investigation may need to be carried out by an Illinois public transportation crash lawyer or a crash scene re-constructionist. The public transportation carrier may attempt to direct full or partial blame onto the shoulders of another party, thereby diminishing their own liability. In cases such as these, it is critical to prove that the public carrier was 100% liable because the insurance policy of the public carrier will be much greater than that of a private citizen.

Negligent Maintenance of Vehicles and Infrastructure in Illinois

Public transportation vehicles are heavily used, often for six or more hours every day. For example, the average transit bus travels over 34,000 miles per year, compared to the average car at just over 11,000 miles per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. As such, buses, limos, shuttles, and other public carriers are subject to a lot of wear and tear.

They must be frequently repaired and inspected for proper maintenance. When a bus’s brakes go out, or a shuttle’s tires blow out because they are bald, the public transportation carrier must be held liable for the damages caused to passengers and third parties. Similarly, the infrastructure, such as railways and bus ramps, used by city buses and other public carriers must be properly maintained.

Illinois Light Rail and Train Collisions

Light rail, street cars, cable cars, and trains are some of the safest modes of transportation of any kind. Due to their large size, relatively slow speeds through intersections, and predictability, Accidents are exceedingly rare compared to collisions between single occupant vehicles like cars and pickup trucks.

However, when collisions do occur, they are often severe. Human error, such as falling asleep on the job or texting while driving a light rail, is the single most common cause of train and rail collisions, accounting for 37% of train Accidents, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. However, the cause of the crash could also likely be due to faulty equipment or infrastructure, such as one of the following:

• Failure to maintain train tracks;
• Damaged bridge;
• Faulty train crossing; or
• Faulty safety equipment.

Damages Caused in Illinois Public Transportation Collisions

When filing a personal injury claim with your Illinois public transportation crash lawyer, it takes time to fully realize the extent of your damages, which is why no experienced attorney will rush to a quick settlement with the negligent party. The damages caused to you may include some or all of the following:

• Medical costs;
• Future medical expenses;
• Pain and suffering;
• Loss of joy of life;
• Emotional distress;
• Property damage;
• Lost wages;
• Lost earning capacity;
• Travel expenses to and from doctor’s visits; and
• Much more.

When There are Multiple Defendants

Public transportation collisions often involve multiple parties and multiple insurance companies. For example, if you were injured in a taxi cab collision, you may have the option to file a claim with the taxi cab driver’s insurance company, the taxi cab company, and possibly a third party that may have contributed to the crash.

For bus collisions, you will likely only be able to file a claim with the bussing company or the school district if the crash involved a school bus. The main thing to remember is that there may be multiple parties to pursue damages from, which can be complicated but is typically a good thing.

The more defendants, the larger your potential compensation will be, as you will not come up short by maxing out the policy limits of one defendant.

Contact Competent and Capable Lawyers at Owaynat Law Today

Whether you were injured as a passenger of a city bus, as a pedestrian hit by a taxicab, or an occupants of a light rail car, you need an Illinois public transportation crash lawyer to ensure that your compensation is fair.

Insurance adjusters will attempt to devalue your claim by arguing that your injuries are not as severe as they truly are, and when there are multiple defendants, one or more is sure to deny liability.

No matter how simple or clear-cut your injury case seems to be, by working with a public transportation crash lawyer in Illinois, you have the best chance of achieving sufficient compensation. Call Owaynat Law today at (773) 645-9997 or fill this form to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION at no cost.