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If someone gets injured while using mass transit or public transportation, they might be able to sue for monetary damages for their injuries and other losses. Injuries caused by driver mistakes, failure to maintain the vehicles or premises appropriately, and failure to keep passengers safe are but a few of the reasons why someone might sue a public transportation or mass transit system, such as NJ TRANSIT.
This blog is PART 2/3 in a series on mass transit. Suing the government or a public entity can be challenging, so you will want to work with a New Jersey personal injury attorney on your claim.
Types of Recoverable Damages in New Jersey Mass Transit Personal Injury Cases
Your reasons to sue a bus company or another form of public transportation is to seek recovery of their losses, which can include the following:
- Physical injuries. Your medical bills for the treatment of your wounds are usually recoverable from the party whose negligence caused the accident that injured you. Mass transit accidents can cause severe injuries, so your total healthcare services expenses could be substantial.
- Lost income. If you missed paychecks because you could not work while recuperating from your wounds and undergoing medical procedures like surgery and physical therapy, you might be able to add this financial loss to your claim.
- Property damage. Let’s say that you were driving your car when a city bus struck it due to driver error. Your claim can include the damage to your vehicle and items inside the car.
You might have additional losses that could be recoverable, like pain and suffering, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life if you have ongoing impairments from the accident that make you unable to engage in activities that you used to enjoy.
Mass Transit Personal Injury Claims Have Different Rules
When you sue a government or public agency, you must first complete an administrative process outside of the court system. Also, you must start this administrative tort claim process within just a few months of the accident.
If you do not jump through these hoops, you will not be allowed to file a lawsuit seeking monetary damages for your injuries and other losses. Also, government agencies often contract with other entities to provide services like public transportation. It can be confusing to figure out who is the proper party to sue. If you guess incorrectly, your claim could get dismissed.
It is best to work with a local law firm that is familiar with the regional mass transit systems and knows who to sue and how to navigate the bureaucratic tort claim process. A mass transit personal injury lawyer can do the heavy lifting on your claim, leaving you free to focus on getting better.
Whether you got hurt in a bus accident today, a slip and fall at a transit station, or some other type of mass transit mishap, an auto and traffic accident personal injury attorney could help. You can reach out to a New Jersey personal injury attorney today for a free consultation.