Trip and Fall Accidents on Public Transportation

According to the most recent statistics from the American Public Transportation Association, Americans took over 9.9 billion trips on public transportation in 2019. Every day, many people use public transportation, including buses, light rail, commuter trains, subways, and ferries, for personal travel and to commute to work. While they offer more convenience, these modes of public transportation are not totally safe, and commuters may sustain injuries from trip and fall accidents.

Additionally, trip and fall accidents on public transportation may occur due to hard stops, broken handrails, or tripping over another passenger’s foot. Thankfully, passengers who trip and fall on public transportation may be entitled to recover financial compensation by filing a claim or lawsuit. In this post, we will discuss what you need to do after a trip and fall accident on public transportation and help determine whether you can take out legal funding before your case concludes.

Understanding Trip and Fall Accidents

A trip and fall accident can be described as an accident which occurs when a person’s foot strikes or collides with an obstacle, fixed object, or uneven surface, thereby causing them to lose balance and fall. In most trip-and-fall accident cases, the victim usually trips and falls forward or outward.

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Examples of Trip and Fall Accidents on Public Transportation

The following may lead to a trip and fall accident on public transportation:

• Tripping over another passenger’s foot.
• Sudden starts and stops which cause a passenger to trip and fall.
• Uneven floor surfaces that lead to falls.
• Your foot gets caught under a loose item inside the bus, such as bags or boxes.
• Stepping over a fixed object inside the train.

Filing a Claim after a Trip and Fall Accident on Public Transportation

However, the majority of public transit companies are often operated by government-run agencies. Depending on your state, city, or municipality, there are some laws that may discourage or bar you from filing a lawsuit. Therefore, you should keep the following in mind:

• When you file a claim, you should notify the public transit company about the accident details.
• Ensure that you send your claim to the right office. If your claim isn’t sent to the appropriate office, it may be denied.
• If your case proceeds to court, there are specific state laws that may apply.
• Even though the driver acted independently and your trip and fall accident occurred due to the driver’s negligence, they’re still covered by the public transit company or government.
• Also, ensure that you file your claim within the statutes of limitations.

In most cases, you may need to identify and file your claim against the party who was responsible for the trip and fall accident.

Who is Liable for a Trip and Fall Accident on Public Transportation?

Furthermore, proving liability for a public transportation trip and fall accident case may not be as straightforward as those of motor vehicle accidents. Based on the events and surrounding circumstances leading to the incident, you may hold a number of different parties and entities accountable. These include:

• The driver of the bus, train, or public transit.
• A government agency or private contractor that failed to maintain the roads or rails.
• The public transit system for insufficient safety inspection.
• The driver of another car that caused the bus to stop suddenly.
• The parts manufacturer for faulty or defective parts, such as handrails.
• Another passenger who placed the box or item that caused the trip and fall on the floor.
• The maintenance personnel for failure to perform scheduled maintenance and routine safety checks.

However, identifying the responsible party may be quite difficult. Hence, it is advisable that you work with a seasoned personal injury attorney to handle your case and help protect your rights.

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What You Should Do After a Trip and Fall Accident on Public Transportation

Traveling by public transit is quite convenient, affordable, and eco-friendly. However, there are some inherent safety risks involved. If you were injured in a trip and fall accident on a bus or train, here’s what you should do, where possible:

• Remain calm and get to safety.
• Notify the bus operator or transit company about the incident.
• Get immediate medical treatments for your injuries.
• Gather more evidence, such as accident scene photos, pictures of your injuries, witness statements, and testimonies.
• Obtain and document a copy of the incident report.
• Document your medical expenses, hospital visits, and medical reports.
• Hire an attorney who specializes in bus accidents or public transportation accidents to help file your claim and negotiate a fair settlement.

Essentially, a highly skilled attorney can help you navigate the legal process, hold the responsible party liable, and recover your rightful financial compensation. However, settling public transportation trip and fall accident cases can take an extended period. If you need immediate cash to settle your medical bills, buy food and groceries, and cater to your financial needs while your case is ongoing, applying for lawsuit funding may be right for you.

Applying for Legal Funding for Your Public Transportation Trip and Fall Accident Case

Fortunately, applying for our pre-settlement funding with a pending trip and fall accident claim is very easy and straightforward. Follow the steps below to apply for lawsuit funding:

• Notify our dedicated representatives that you would like to take out settlement funding.
• Visit our website to fill in your personal details and complete your application.
• Provide the relevant details about your public transportation trip and fall accident case.
• Provide the contact information of your legal representatives.
• Our experts will meet with your lawyer to evaluate the vital details of your case. Also, we will discuss the strength of your case and determine how much your case is worth.
• Our specialists will evaluate your legal funding application and make a decision within 24 hours.

If you are approved for a lawsuit loan, your cash advance will be ready within 24 to 48 hours. In addition, the legal funding is absolutely safe and non-recourse. You won’t have to pay back if you lose your case.

Need a Lawsuit Loan for Your Public Transportation Trip and Fall Accident Case? Call Us Today!

Are you facing financial distress after getting injured in a trip and fall accident on public transit? You can apply for a settlement loan. Contact us online or call our toll-free number today at (866)-407-6404 to schedule an initial consultation. Our trusted team at High Rise Financial can help with your legal funding application and improve your chances of a successful outcome.

Call or text (877) 735-0016 or fill out our form to apply today for free.