public transportation

What to do When You’ve Been Injured on Public Transportation

Accidents happen every single day. Unfortunately, they often happen on public transportation, seriously or fatally injuring passengers. Though public transportation only accounts for 1.5 percent of fatal accidents in the U.S., it still affects a good amount of people. There are many different issues that come into play when public transportation vehicles, such as buses, are involved in an accident. 

Causes of accidents involving public transportation are commonly intoxication and/or distraction of the driver. However, the number and severity of injuries to passengers are only compounded by a lack of certain safety features such as seat belts and airbags on buses. Furthermore, buses are not built for the purpose of impact reduction – only to successfully seat and transport larger numbers of people from one place to another. 

Reducing the Likelihood of Injury

Since you are not operating the vehicle, what can you do to reduce the likelihood of injury? There are a few things that can help to keep in mind.

  1. Sit in the middle of the bus. Statistics have shown that more injuries occur in the front and the back of the bus. 
  2. Remain seated throughout the entire ride until the bus has reached its intended destination and come to a complete stop. Do not stand up.
  3. Remain aware of your surroundings, both inside and outside of the bus. If you notice any other vehicle driving erratically or doing anything that can be dangerous to the bus, report it. 
  4. Should your bus experience a collision, once it has come to a stop, be sure to carefully exit the vehicle by way of emergency exits. 
  5. Once off of the bus, call 911 in order to seek police and medical attention.

Once you have had a bit of time away from the actual accident and have taken care of any imminent or life-threatening injuries, it is important to decide if you wish to take legal action and pursue a lawsuit. 

Stein & Shulman LLC Helps Those in Chicago Who Have Been Injured on Public Transportation

Each and every time that you step onto public transportation, you entrust your own safety and ultimately your life to those driving and in charge. You trust that they have taken the right steps to protect you, including being properly trained, experienced, and competent. Whether your injury was due to negligence or poor judgment, you have the right to be free from harm and should not pay the price of someone else’s wrongdoing. That’s why it is so important to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney. 

At Stein & Shulman LLC, we understand the impact that a single injury can have on your whole life. You shouldn’t have to deal with it alone. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact our office today.