Mass Transit Accidents Attorney in West Orange, New Jersey

Safety, reliability, and affordability are just some of the many reasons New Jersey’s mass transit system is widely used by so many people each day as they commute to and from their destinations. Mass transit riders trust that those responsible for our safety will take all consideration and action to ensure a safe ride without incident. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Though some accidents are unavoidable, many accidents that occur on buses or trains are caused by the negligence of the operator or governing body. Sometimes, they are even caused by machine error. If you need quality legal support to assess your situation and explore your legal options, contact Brown Law, LLC today.

Causes of Mass Transit Accidents

Mass transit accidents can result in serious injuries and fatalities, depending on the severity of the accident. Though train accidents do not happen quite as often as bus accidents, they can have possibly even greater impacts on the train’s passengers or those standing on the platforms. Train accidents can happen for any number of reasons, but they can typically be tied back to the negligence of another party, whether it was a failure to perform regular maintenance or failure to safely operate the train. There are three primary reasons for train accident deaths and injuries:

• Machine Error, which can include mechanical or computer errors such as brake failure, broken speedometer, etc.

• Human Error, which can include completely avoidable mistakes such as failure to inspect, speeding, drowsy driving, etc.

• Environmental Issues, which may include poor weather conditions due to rain, fog, ice, or snow that make it more challenging to safely operate the train.

Bus accidents can also result in serious injuries, as buses offer less protection than trains do. Buses are required to share the roads with many other drivers, who can be unpredictable and dangerous. In addition, buses often require passengers to stand in transit and may not offer the protection of a seatbelt. Bus accidents in New Jersey may be caused by:

• Driver negligence

• Improper maintenance

• Other drivers on the road

• Poor weather conditions

Accidents Involving a Municipality

In some situations involving mass transit accidents, a municipality may be to blame. The New Jersey Tort Claims Act provides a legal means for injured parties to take legal action against the state, waiving sovereign immunity. This means that you will only have 90 days to file a Notice of Claim with the state. At that point, if the state finds your claim valid, they will compensate you for the impact of your injuries.

Contact an Essex County Injury Attorney

Train and bus accidents can leave you with a lifetime of physical and financial burdens. It is important that you act quickly to exercise your rights while you can. The legal team at Brown Law, LLC has the experience and skill it takes to help you recover the compensation you are entitled to after an accident of this significance. To schedule a consultation with our experienced attorneys, contact Brown Law, LLC today.