Slips, trips, and falls on public buses or trains can cause some severe harm to its passengers. When these accidents occur, the bus driver, train conductor, other passengers, bus/train company, or municipality may be liable for damages. Slip and fall lawyers can help individuals determine the best course of pursuing compensation following an accident on public transportation.
Causes of Bus and Train Injuries
Individuals can suffer a slip, trip, and fall on buses or trains because of uneven steps, ice accumulations on steps or sidewalks, inadequate slip protection before boarding, or even just sudden starts/stops without warning. Bus drivers/train conductors and public transportation companies are responsible for preventing these types of hazards.
In Utah, public transportation companies are held to an elevated standard of care. They are required to perform regular maintenance of their vehicles to minimize risk. When they don’t do this, they place their passengers in danger.
Bus and train injuries are occasionally caused by others, however. In these instances, liability usually falls on the passenger for their negligence.
Potential Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents on a Bus or Train
Passengers can sometimes suffer serious injuries when they slip and fall on a bus. These injuries can include broken bones, lacerations, sprained wrists/ankles, spinal cord injuries, or even sometimes traumatic brain injuries are possible. Prompt medical attention is essential for the victim’s recovery and documentation of all injuries’ extent to be filed promptly and adequately. Often, passengers are injured in multiple places when they trip or fall while riding public transportation.
Compensation for Slip and Fall Accidents
Passengers suffering from a slip and fall accident on public transportation can pursue compensation for lost wages, medical costs, and pain and suffering. They’re also able to seek compensation for permanent scarring or disfigurement and personal property damage when the individual fell.
Thorough documentation is highly essential for pursuing compensation for injuries on buses. Victims should always notify the driver/conductor of the vehicle where the injury occurred and work with a slip and fall lawyer to file all necessary reports documenting the accident. It is also crucial to keep all medical records, pay stubs, personal diaries, and other documents presented as evidence supporting their injury claim.
