Who Is Responsible If I Am Injured on a City Bus or the L?

 Posted on October 15, 2024 in Personal Injury

Many people prefer using public transportation rather than driving to work, sports events, shopping, or other destinations. In Chicagoland, PACE, the Chicago Transit Authority, and Metra operate various trains and buses that carry over 545 million passengers annually. While most trips are uneventful, some result in incidents that injure riders.

What kinds of incidents can injure public transportation passengers? Who is liable for paying the injured victims? Your knowledgeable Chicago attorney from Kadzai Law Group, LLC can assess your situation during a free consultation and help you determine your next steps.

What Can Cause Injuries on Illinois Public Transit?

Whether riding a bus or train, you expect to arrive at your destination safely. Various incidents can happen that leave you with injuries, such as:

• Traffic collisions
• Derailment
• Slip and fall accidents
• Intentional or unintentional injuries caused by other passengers
• Assaults, whether at a station or during your trip

Your injuries likely require medical treatment and time away from work during recovery, and they may also adversely impact your quality of life. You deserve compensation, but you need evidence establishing liability to pursue a claim for your damages.

In personal injury cases, damages are sums of money that reimburse or compensate you for specific incident-related losses, such as:

• Medical care costs
• Lost income
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• PTSD
• Losing the ability to enjoy life

When you choose Kadzai Law Group, LLC, we will carefully evaluate your damages to help you obtain the highest possible amount.

Who Is Liable for Paying You If You Are Injured on Public Transportation?

Various parties might be liable for your damages. You must first investigate your incident to determine why it happened. When you ride on public transportation, the authority that operates it must use reasonable care to keep you safe while waiting for your ride, during your trip, and as you make your way away from the station. They should:

• Ensure adequate lighting at stations
• Keep walking surfaces clean and clear of tripping hazards
• Provide adequate security
• Vet, train, and supervise drivers and operators 
• Maintain vehicles, safety equipment, and other real property

When the party or parties responsible for these and other obligations fail to meet them, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. That includes assaults made by others if poor lighting and insufficient security measures contributed to the criminal activity.

Because government agencies often operate public transit, your claim will likely involve multiple challenges. These claims are subject to strict statutes of limitations and protocols, so it is imperative to work with an attorney from Kadzai Law Group, LLC who knows how these claims work.

Call Our Skilled Hyde Park, IL Public Transportation Accident Lawyer

The quality of the lawyer you choose directly impacts the outcome of your case. You can trust Kadzai Law Group, LLC to provide the effective legal representation you need to hold the at-fault parties accountable for your public transportation injuries. Call us at 312-229-0050 for your free consultation with our dedicated South Side of Chicago, IL personal injury attorney.