What to Do After a New Jersey Public Transportation Accident
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As gas prices go up more and more New Jersey residents are turning to public transportation to get around. While public transportation is statistically safer than riding in your own car, it does carry risks.
You can get injured on a public bus or train just as easily as you can get injured in a car accident. For example in 2016 an NJ Transit train killed one passenger and injured 100 more when it crashed into a station in Hoboken. This led to an $8.15 million dollar settlement.
Here’s what you need to know.
Medical attention is your top priority.
First and foremost, make sure your injuries are seen to. Call 9-1-1 if nobody else has done so. Once you get seen, follow all of your doctor’s instructions to the letter.
Collect all of your medical bills, orders, and discharge papers.
It is helpful to take pictures at the scene of a public transport accident. It’s also helpful to get the names and numbers of any witnesses. You should also report all your injuries to the driver if you’re in a position to do so.
If you can’t? That’s okay. Some people are too injured after an accident to take these steps. Take care if yourself, first.
Call a lawyer right away.
When you file a public transit case you’re usually filing against the city or the state. For example, if you take the Colonial Coach the Town of Morristown will be responsible. If you’re on an NJ Transit bus you’ll be suing the state, as NJ Transit offers statewide service.
In either case, you’ll have just 90 days to report the accident and make a statement that you intend to sue. The deadlines are much stricter than they would be if you were dealing with a pair of passenger owned vehicles. Call a lawyer immediately, and do not speak to an outside attorney or investigator. They will want to talk to you. You will want to have a attorney to direct them to.
Keep in mind that public entities are protected from having to pay for pain and suffering damages unless your injuries are extremely severe: you’ve lost a bodily function or a body part, have been permanently disfigured.
All the same, medical bills in the state are extremely expensive and it’s usually worthwhile to sue just to get as many of those bills covered as possible.
These cases are complex. Don’t try to handle them on your own. Call Smith Doran to get help today.
See also:
5 Things to Discuss With Your New Jersey Personal Injury Attorney
Getting Disability Assistance During a New Jersey Personal Injury Case
4 Myths About New Jersey Personal Injury Cases
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As gas prices go up more and more New Jersey residents are turning to public transportation to get around. While public transportation is statistically safer than riding in your own car, it does carry risks.
You can get injured on a public bus or train just as easily as you can get injured in a car accident. For example in 2016 an NJ Transit train killed one passenger and injured 100 more when it crashed into a station in Hoboken. This led to an $8.15 million dollar settlement.
Here’s what you need to know.
Medical attention is your top priority.
First and foremost, make sure your injuries are seen to. Call 9-1-1 if nobody else has done so. Once you get seen, follow all of your doctor’s instructions to the letter.
Collect all of your medical bills, orders, and discharge papers.
It is helpful to take pictures at the scene of a public transport accident. It’s also helpful to get the names and numbers of any witnesses. You should also report all your injuries to the driver if you’re in a position to do so.
If you can’t? That’s okay. Some people are too injured after an accident to take these steps. Take care if yourself, first.
Call a lawyer right away.
When you file a public transit case you’re usually filing against the city or the state. For example, if you take the Colonial Coach the Town of Morristown will be responsible. If you’re on an NJ Transit bus you’ll be suing the state, as NJ Transit offers statewide service.
In either case, you’ll have just 90 days to report the accident and make a statement that you intend to sue. The deadlines are much stricter than they would be if you were dealing with a pair of passenger owned vehicles. Call a lawyer immediately, and do not speak to an outside attorney or investigator. They will want to talk to you. You will want to have a attorney to direct them to.
Keep in mind that public entities are protected from having to pay for pain and suffering damages unless your injuries are extremely severe: you’ve lost a bodily function or a body part, have been permanently disfigured.
All the same, medical bills in the state are extremely expensive and it’s usually worthwhile to sue just to get as many of those bills covered as possible.
These cases are complex. Don’t try to handle them on your own. Call Smith Doran to get help today.
See also:
5 Things to Discuss With Your New Jersey Personal Injury Attorney
Getting Disability Assistance During a New Jersey Personal Injury Case
4 Myths About New Jersey Personal Injury Cases