The NJ Transit, the largest state-wide public transportation system in the U.S., is utilized by almost one million passengers daily. This is not to mention the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rail service that takes commuters between New Jersey and Manhattan, along with the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) Speedline that facilitates travel between Camden County and Philadelphia. All of this to say, these buses, rail lines, and light rails are a constant and dependable means of travel for New Jersey residents and employees alike. But even so, a mass transit accident can occur when least expected. Without further ado, please read on to discover how you might get injured while commuting with a public transit system and how a seasoned Morris County, New Jersey auto accident lawyer at Macri Law Firm can help decipher whether you have reasonable grounds for a lawsuit.
How might I get injured while commuting on public transit?
Unfortunately, using a mass transit system for your commute to and from the state of New Jersey may come with its risks. For one, public buses share the same roads as standard motor vehicles, so they are not immune to the same or similar types of auto collisions. This is regardless of whether or not there is a designated bus lane on the road to promote safety, as bicyclists and pedestrians may be negligent in obstructing this path, and once again, prompting a crash.
As for the rail lines and light rails, a conductor may, unfortunately, act negligently by speeding, failing to stop at signals, or applying improper braking. Even if a conductor exercises an abundance of caution, there may be underlying defects or faults within the train. In a catastrophic scenario, the train may derail and leave passengers with life-threatening, life-altering, or life-ending bodily injuries.
Do I have grounds to sue a public transit system for my injury?
The NJ Transit system and its employees have a duty of care to ensure that every last passenger is safe and secure while utilizing their services. So when they breach this duty, and you get injured as a result, you may have valid grounds to hold them accountable in a personal injury claim. Of note, though, say you believe a defect or malfunction caused your accident event to occur. Well, you may have to pit your lawsuit against the manufacturer of these auto parts, rather than the transit system entity itself.
Lastly, even though the public transit system is responsible for your security, as a passenger, you must also abide by certain enforced safety rules and regulations. For example, you must pay attention to your surroundings when navigating through, boarding, and exiting the mass transit vehicle. So, if you experienced a slip and fall accident because you were texting while walking, your rights to a legal claim may be compromised.
If you have made it this far, please do not hesitate to seek further information from a competent Parsippany, New Jersey personal injury lawyer. The team at Macri Law Firm is willing and able to guide you through your future legal processes.