Virginia Mass Transit Accident Lawyers Fight for Injured Passengers
Winning compensation for harm suffered in public transportation accidents
Mass transit is energy efficient, better for the environment and a relief of traffic congestion. It is also generally safer than traveling on the roads. However, when transit accidents occur, they’re often severe, causing multiple people to be seriously or even fatally injured. If you or a loved one is the victim of a mass transit accident, you can rely on Pikrallidas & Probasco in Fairfax, Virginia. Our personal injury lawyers have ample experience in helping victims of transit accidents obtain the full compensation they deserve.
Common types of mass transit accidents in Virginia
The commonwealth of Virginia has an extensive network of public transportation, which includes commuter rail, (Virginia Railway Express), regional rail (Amtrak), light rail, buses and ferries. Each mode of transportation is vulnerable to accidents that can injure riders and even bystanders. Common examples are the following:
- Collisions — Buses must share streets and highways with other vehicles. Since buses are less maneuverable and require a greater stopping distance, a driver’s mistake can have dire consequences. On railways, collisions with other trains can occur if signals fail or an operator ignores a red signal. A crash can also result when a vehicle stops on tracks as a train approaches.
- Struck pedestrians — Bus drivers sit in an elevated position and so don’t have the best view of people crossing in front of them, especially small children. A moment’s inattentiveness can result in a severe pedestrian injury.
- Derailments — Trains traveling at high speeds or on poorly maintained railways can leave the track, causing deadly injuries.
- Slip and falls — Transit stations and equipment must be kept free of debris that can make walking treacherous. Inclement weather can cause rain, snow or ice to accumulate, creating hazards for passengers.
- Drownings — Ferries and water taxis must avoid overcrowding of vessels and must adhere to maritime traffic rules. Accidents on the water risk passengers drowning.
Transit accidents cause injuries ranging from moderate bumps and bruises to catastrophiclosses, such as traumatic brain injury, and even wrongful death.
Common causes of mass transit accidents in Virginia
Our firm represents riders and bystanders injured in all types of transit accidents. Recovering compensation requires first ascertaining the cause of the accident. The most frequent causes are the following:
- Operator error — Transit operators are prone to the same behaviors that lead motorists to cause auto accidents: inattention, fatigue, aggressive driving and even operating under the influence. The transit system is fully liable for the negligence of its operators while on the job.
- Equipment malfunction — Mechanical failures due to parts defects or poor maintenance contribute to many transit accidents.
- Interference from another vehicle — Other drivers sometimes make unsafe maneuvers a sudden swerve or an abrupt stop, leading to collisions with transit vehicles. In such cases, the transit company might still be partly liable.
- Poor safety protocols — Transit systems must take measures to promote safety, including hiring skilled operators and giving them appropriate training.
Once we have determined the precise cause of your accident, our personal injury lawyers work diligently to hold all responsible parties fully accountable.
Contact our Fairfax Virginia mass transit accident lawyers for a free consultation
Pikrallidas & Probasco in Fairfax represents victims of mass transit accidents in Virginia and Washington, D.C. Call us at 703-267-2600 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.
