Whether you are riding a bus in West Virginia or have traveled to New York and are riding the subway, you remain at risk of suffering harm in a public transportation accident. Certainly, public transportation accidents are not as common as motor vehicle accidents but they do occur. Partially because they are somewhat less common, many individuals are unsure of how to respond if they are harmed in a public transportation accident.

Thankfully, attorneys experienced in personal injury law can aid victims of these kinds of crashes. Attorneys can listen to the particulars of your situation, explain your options and help you navigate those options. As public transportation accidents are generally treated differently under the law and by the courts than general motor vehicle accidents are, it is important to consult an attorney who has experience dealing with these particular kinds of accidents.

The primary reason why public transportation accident claims are treated differently than other accident claims is the fact that public transportation operations are subject to common carrier liability under the law. This essentially means that these operations are held to a higher standard than average drivers are. When determining whether a given public transportation operator has been negligent or not, the law compares him, her and/or the entity the driver works for to a reasonably careful operator standard.

If you have been harmed in a public transportation accident, do not hesitate to consult the guidance of an experienced attorney. He or she can answer your questions and guide you based on the particulars of your situation.

Source: FindLaw Injured, “Public Transit Accidents: Can You Sue?” Christopher Coble, Feb. 24, 2015