The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Commuter Rail is the sixth most heavily used commuter rail system in the U.S. according to the latest ridership report by APTA.
If you have been injured while riding the MBTA commuter rail or any other mode of public transportation, it is essential that you immediately retain the services of a personal injury attorney to ensure that your rights are protected. You could be entitled to compensation to cover your healthcare costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, and any other monetary losses you may have incurred.
MBTA Statistics
Within the MBTA system, the Framingham/Worcester line is one of the most heavily used, with over 20,000 people riding per week in 2014. There are 17 stations on the Framingham/Worcester line: Worcester/Union Station, Grafton, Westborough, Southborough, Ashland, Framingham, West Natick, Natick, Wellesley Square, Wellesley Hills, Wellesley Farms, Auburndale, West Newtown, Newtonville, Yawkey, Back Bay, and South Station. Worcester/Union Station had an average of 1475 weekday inbound boardings in 2013.
While the MBTA Commuter Rail has an excellent record of safety and professionalism, with so many riders each year, accidents leading to serious injuries do occur. Sometimes this is the result of negligence on the part of the MBTA governing authority.
Train Accident Statistics
It might surprise you to learn that you are many times more likely to be injured while waiting for the train or leaving the train than you are to be injured while riding the train. Commuters face a number of risks that are tied to conditions at MBTA Stations, from icy platforms to car accidents in MBTA parking lots.
The Federal Transit Administration recorded that there were more than 5000 injuries reported on the MBTA in 2016, including injuries to passengers on the train or in MBTA stations, injuries to MBTA employees, and injuries to non-passengers such as bicyclists, motorists, pedestrians, and trespassers.
Train derailments and collisions occur with lower frequency than accidents on MBTA premises, but when such incidents do occur, they present a high risk of personal injury for passengers on the commuter rail. In 2016, over 200 passengers were injured while riding aboard MBTA trains. The risk of accidents or collisions increases dramatically during late shifts or in the middle of the night.
Serious Accidents On the Commuter Rail
The vast majority of train conductors and engineers are highly professional, well-trained, and experienced, and are quite aware of protocols to follow in order to keep their passengers safe. However, accidents leading to injury or even death do happen. These can include:
- Falling off an MBTA boarding platform.
- Falling off the steps of the train while disembarking.
- Getting into a car accident in MBTA parking lots.
- Slipping on a boarding platform or in the train car due to slick surfaces.
- Being thrown to the floor of the train due to a sudden stop or start.
- Being a driver or a passenger in another vehicle that collides with an MBTA train.
- Being exposed to a harmful substance.
- Mobility device (wheelchair) securement issues.
- Not receiving proper medical care while a passenger on the MBTA Commuter Rail.
Of course there are many other ways you could possibly be injured on the MBTA Commuter Rail, but these are among the most common.
Claim The Compensation You Deserve If You’re Injured
If you’ve been injured on a MBTA commuter train, it’s important that you speak with a local personal injury attorney. You may not think much of your injury at the time, but down the road it could develop serious complications. It’s essential that you act immediately to make sure that your rights are protected. Peter Ventura has extensive experience in this area of practice, and has helped his clients realize significant compensation in personal injury and accident cases over the years, including:
- $3 million in a fatal Worcester County auto accident involving a minor
- $1 million in a case involving serious injuries to an elderly couple
- $500,000 in a wrongful death case involving a tractor-trailer
The bottom line is, if you’ve been injured while riding the commuter rail, or any type of train or other public transportation vehicle, you need to retain the services of an experienced personal injury attorney. Contact Peter Ventura toll-free at 508-755-7535 for a free and always confidential consultation.
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