Common Carriers and Public Transportation Accidents
When buses, commercial airliners, taxicabs, cruise ships, and passenger trains are involved in accidents, they are legally referred to as common carriers. Common carriers transport passengers and/or goods for a fee. These entities are legally connected by both their function and by how they may be held liable in the event that any are involved in accidents which result in harm.
For example, if a bus driver is texting behind the wheel and an accident occurs, any passengers injured in the crash may be able to hold that bus driver (and possibly the bus driver’s employer) accountable for the harm they have suffered. Similarly, if a highly-contagious and easily preventable disease breaks out on a cruise ship due to the ship’s inattention to proper hygiene protocols related to the serving of food, ill passengers may be able to sue the company that owns the ship. In both instances, those harmed by the negligence or recklessness of common carriers may sue to hold those carriers accountable for the harm they have caused. An experienced New York public transportation accident lawyer can help victims to navigate the complexities of this process.
Common Carrier Liability Issues
Common carriers can generally be sued for two primary reasons. First, they may be held accountable for failure to adhere to specific regulations designed to keep passengers safe. Second, they may be sued if they have not exercised the kind of reasonable careful behavior one would generally expect from a common carrier. For example, you may not reasonably expect a pilot to be 100 percent attentive, 100 percent of the time. However, you may reasonably expect a pilot to adhere to industry best practices regarding the safe operation of an aircraft.
When victims of common carrier accidents successfully settle or win at trial with the assistance of a New York public transportation accident lawyer, they may be awarded economic and/or non-economic damages. Economic damages are specifically tied to measurable financial losses and expenses related to the harm caused by the accident. Past and future medical bills, as well as past and future lost wages, are often accounted for in this way. Non-economic damages are more subjective and are therefore more variable. Pain and suffering awards are classified as non-economic damages because they are not financially objective in the same way that bills and wages are.
Legal Guidance Is Available
If you have been involved in an accident involving a common carrier, please consider connecting with an experienced New York public transportation accident lawyer as soon as you possibly can. When individuals are harmed by the actions of another, they often have numerous legal options available to them. However, as time passes (and evidence becomes compromised, statutes of limitation begin running, insurance companies come calling, etc.) these options can become more limited. Speaking with an attorney as soon as you can after an accident will help to preserve the legal options available to you. You may not ultimately choose to file any legal actions related to your accident. However, speaking with a New York public transportation accident lawyer at, Oddo & Babat, right away helps to ensure that your decisions remain informed and that you never have to live with the regret of wondering how things might have been different if you had only sought legal guidance sooner.
Public Transportation Accident Lawyer In New York
As a public transportation accident victim you may have a lot of concerns – about your medical care, bills, your job, and so much more. You should not have to worry about how you will cover these costs, in addition to legal expenses, especially since the accident was not your fault. This is why at, Oddo & Babat, we offer complimentary case reviews for every personal injury victim. Plus, if we take your case, there is a 99.9% chance that we will cover all of your upfront legal fees and expenses that are associated with it.
The Legal Consultation
The entire legal process is complex and difficult to understand if you don’t have a legal background. Trying to navigate it on your own, without a lawyer, could end up in frustration, lost time, and lost money. Before you sign or agree to anything from an insurance company or opposing party, you should take advantage of a complimentary consultation with a public transportation accident lawyer New York.
Also known as a free case review, this is an opportunity to ask a New York public transportation accident lawyer questions about your case. You can explore your legal options and get a better idea of what to do next. During your consultation, our lawyers or legal team, may ask you some questions about what happened and also the extent of your injuries. This helps us to determine whether or not you have a case that is sufficient enough to go through the civil claims process.
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in any of the following accidents, you have nothing to lose by calling a New York public transportation accident lawyer. With us, there is no obligation to use our legal services.
- Public transportation accident (such as train, subway, public bus)
- Car accident
- Truck accident
- Motorcycle accident
- Bicycle accident
- Pedestrian accident
- Workplace accident
- Nursing home abuse
- Medical malpractice
- Animal bite
- Premise liability accident
- + More
You Don’t Have to Navigate the Aftermath of a Bus Accident Alone
In the wake of a bus accident, you may be wondering how you’re going to cover the costs of your medical bills and lost wages. The bus company may have called you to offer their sympathies and to let you know that they will be happy to pay for your medical bills. If you agree to this, you may risk losing your right to pursue a bus accident claim. Therefore, before you accept or agree to any offers made by the bus company or their insurance adjusters, please connect with an experienced New York, NY public transportation accident lawyer from, Oddo & Babat, Speaking with us first will help to ensure that you can make a truly informed decision about any settlements you’ve been offered and/or any legal action you may be interested in pursuing before you commit to a plan of action.
Under the laws, buses are common carriers. In other words, they are responsible for exhibiting a higher duty of care because they charge a fee for the services rendered. Buses must exercise a high degree of care, as well as, diligence and safety for the passengers and others on the road. The laws and rules in place, and that oversee buses, have been designed to protect all members of the public. When a bus accident occurs, the passengers who were injured in the collision, can seek damages under the laws pertaining to common carrier vehicles. Therefore, these cases are not the same as car accident cases, and should be handled by a New York, NY public transportation accident lawyer, as opposed to a general personal injury lawyer who has no experience with common carrier accidents.
Buses are regulated under commercial vehicle laws, as well as, specific bus laws. This means that most bus companies tend to have high value insurance policies to compensate accident victims of their losses. If you are a bus accident victim and are ready to explore your legal options, please call a New York, NY public transportation accident lawyer today.
Protecting Yourself After a Bus Accident
Bus accident cases are complex and should be overseen by a New York, NY public transportation accident lawyer who has won cases in the past and has an understanding of how these companies will defend themselves. For example, most bus companies have a vast amount of resources, including legal defense teams and experts who will likely fight against a claim or lawsuit. Regardless of your injuries, they may be prepared to argue that the accident was not their fault. It is therefore important to have an experienced advocate on your side moving forward.
While you prepare to speak with a New York, NY public transportation accident lawyer, it is recommended that you:
- Do not agree to a recorded statement to the bus company or insurance carrier
- Do not sign any forms sent to you by these parties
- Avoid posting related posts on social media
- Follow your doctor’s orders
No Upfront Fees to Investigate Your Case
If you choose to retain, Oddo & Babat, you may not have to worry about any upfront fees, or otherwise fees, unless we recover money. This means we may cover costs such as, but not limited to:
- Gathering evidence
- Locating witnesses
- Paying legal filing fees or court fees
- Hiring experts witnesses, if necessary
- Helping you to get medical treatment
Understanding Contingency Fees
As a New York public transportation accident lawyer, we take on nearly all cases on contingency. This means we handle the upfront legal costs and provide any necessary resources to prove your case. It also means that if we do not win your case, you will not owe us anything.
Because our firm works on contingency for personal injury cases, you can feel confident in knowing you won’t be treated as another number. Rather, you will be given the attention, support, and respect that you deserve. We will do our best to keep you up to date with what is going on so you know what to expect.
No Fees, Unless We Win
You don’t need to be concerned about legal fees after an accident. When you talk with our public transportation accident lawyer New York, we will explain how contingency fees work, and the amount you would pay us, if we win your case. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Please call , Oddo & Babat, now.
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