Worcester MBTA & WRTA Bus Accident Lawyer
Boston and Worcester are served by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), and the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA), which oversee complex transportation systems utilizing every type of modern public transportation mode, including buses, subways, commuter trains, and ferries.
It’s important that if you have been injured while riding public transportation in the Boston and Worcester region 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 suffered.
MBTA & WRTA Massachusetts Bus Statistics
In 2014, the MBTA set a record of 400 million individual riders in a single year, the most in decades! The WRTA is also seeing record high ridership.
Buses are an important part of the transportation mix in Massachusetts. The WRTA serves the City of Worcester and the surrounding 37 communities with buses alone. And the MBTA – with commuter trains and subways – states that buses account for 28% of public transportation ridership.
Although both systems have an excellent record of safety and professionalism, with so many riders each year, accidents leading to serious injuries and even death do occur. Sometimes this is the result of negligence on the part of the governing authority.
Bus Accident Statistics
Buses can pose unique dangers. They are large and ungainly, and for the most part they operate on busy city streets, which are narrow and hard to navigate in a large vehicle. They also have mechanisms to allow passengers to enter and disembark that other types of vehicles don’t have.
An information brief issued in 2012 by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) noted that there were more than 250 fatalities and over 20,000 injuries in accidents involving buses in 2009.
A separate study by the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute states that over 63,000 buses of all types are involved in accidents annually, and on average 325 of those accidents result in a fatality and 14,000 result in injuries.
Serious Accidents on Public Buses
The vast majority of bus drivers are highly professional, well-trained, and experienced, and are quite aware of the hazards of the vehicle they pilot. However, accidents leading to injury or even death happen frequently. These can include:
- Becoming caught in an automatically closing door and dragged down the street, or simply falling off of the steps while disembarking.
- Being run over while boarding or leaving the bus.
- Falling in the cabin of the bus due to slippery surfaces.
- Being involved in a motor vehicle collision while riding a public bus.
- Being a driver or a passenger in another vehicle that is involved in an accident or rollover with a public bus.
- Being exposed to a harmful substance.
- Not receiving proper medical care while a passenger on a bus.
Of course there are many other ways you could possibly be injured on a bus, but these are among the most common.
Claim The Compensation You Deserve If You’re Injured in a Bus Accident
If you’ve been injured on a MBTA or WRTA bus, 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 motor vehicle 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 on a public bus, or any type of motor 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.
Massachusetts Bus Accident FAQs
When can you sue for bus accident injuries?
In general, you can sue for bus accident injuries any time a defective part, negligent driving, or any another mistake on the part of the bus driver or bus operator is the cause of the accident. If you have been injured in a bus accident and someone else is to blame, we can help you determine if you are entitled to financial compensation for your losses.
Who can you sue for bus accident injuries?
Who you can sue depends on the cause of the accident. For example, in bus accidents where the bus driver was at fault, the driver and his or her employer may be liable for your injuries. On the other hand, if the accident was caused by a tire blowout or other product defect, you may be able to sue the manufacturer for your losses. If multiple factors contributed to the accident, you may have claims against multiple parties for your accident-related injuries.
Even if you were partially at fault, you may still be entitled to financial compensation.
What should you do if you were injured in an MBTA bus accident?
If you were injured while riding on a bus operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) – or if you were hit by an MBTA bus while driving, walking, or riding your bike – you should speak with an experienced bus accident lawyer right away. Since the MBTA is a government-operated entity, filing a claim for an MBTA bus accident is more involved than filing other types of personal injury claims. We can make sure that you do everything necessary to preserve your claim for just compensation.
Can you sue if your child was injured on a school bus?
Yes. If your child was injured on a school bus, you can seek compensation for your child’s medical expenses and other losses. Similar to MBTA accident claims, school bus accident claims require special knowledge and experience. Attorney Peter Ventura has decades of experience and can help you pursue your school bus accident claim.
Is there a time limit for filing a lawsuit for bus accident injuries?
Yes. In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident. After that, you may be barred from filing a claim for compensation. In cases involving MBTA buses and other municipal and public carriers, there may be an even shorter notice period for pursuing your claim. As a result, if you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, we strongly encourage you to contact us right away.
Should you hire a lawyer to help with a bus accident claim?
Yes, without a doubt. The bus operators, government agencies, and insurance companies all have lawyers on their side who will be fighting to ensure that you receive as little compensation as possible for your injuries. You need someone who can look out for your best interests and help you level the playing field.
Do bus operators owe a duty to keep passengers safe?
Yes. As “common carriers” under Massachusetts law, bus operators owe a heightened duty of care to protect the safety of their passengers.
If I was assaulted on a bus, can I file a claim against the bus company?
Maybe. Bus operators are not necessarily responsible for all injuries occurring on their vehicles. However, if the driver or bus company failed to use reasonable care to keep you safe, you may be able to file a claim for compensation.
Can family members sue for fatal bus accidents in Massachusetts?
Yes. In Massachusetts, family members of fatal bus accident victims can seek financial compensation by filing a claim for wrongful death. Your rights in a wrongful death case will depend on your relationship with the victim. Our office regularly handles cases involving wrongful death, and we can help ensure that you receive just compensation for your tragic loss.
Does your office offer free legal consultations for victims of bus accidents?
Yes. Attorney Peter Ventura offers free legal consultations to bus accident victims throughout Massachusetts. Contact us to schedule your free consultation today.
Schedule Your Free Bus Accident Consultation today
If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one in a Massachusetts bus accident, attorney Peter Ventura can help you fight for just compensation. To get started with your free consultation, call 508-755-7535 or contact us online today.