Can You Sue If You Slip Or Fall On A MBTA Bus?

If you’re one of many who rely on Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority buses to get from Point A to Point B in or around Boston, be aware that accidents involving MBTA buses can and do happen. You could be harmed on an MBTA bus even if it’s not involved in a collision with another motor vehicle.

For example, you might one day be hurt in a slip-and-fall or similar accident while riding an MBTA bus. Don’t underestimate the potential consequences of such an accident! According to the CDC, approximately one out of every five falling accidents in the U.S. results in some form of serious injury. Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured after a slip-and-fall on an MBTA bus, it’s critical to err on the side of caution and see a doctor.

You may incur medical bills if you do sustain injuries in a slip-and-fall. Depending on the severity of your injuries, they might prevent you from working and taking home a paycheck until you make a recovery.

Perhaps you’re wondering whether you can sue to seek compensation for such losses in the aftermath of a slip-and-fall on an MBTA bus. Keep reading if so. The following overview will explain your potential legal options in these circumstances. That said, because every case is unique, it’s best to discuss your case with a Boston bus accident attorney to determine how you may proceed.

Seeking Compensation After a Slip-and-Fall on an MBTA Bus: What You Need to Know

Whether you’re eligible to receive compensation after an accident on an MBTA bus depends on whether your accident resulted from the negligence of another party. Potential scenarios in which someone else’s negligence might cause you to be involved in a slip-and-fall on an MBTA bus include (but are not limited to) the following:

• The driver of the bus performs a dangerous and/or illegal maneuver that causes you to lose your footing while standing or walking on the bus
• You’re involved in a slip-and-fall on an MBTA bus because another driver struck the bus, and the force of the impact knocked you down
• Those responsible for designing, manufacturing, or maintaining the MBTA’s fleet of buses overlooked a hazardous condition (such as damaged flooring) that put you at unreasonable risk of being hurt in a slip-and-fall

You can seek the compensation for which you may be eligible by filing a claim to collect from the insurance of the negligent party who caused your accident. If the insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, you could sue them, hoping a jury may award you damages in court.

How A Boston Bus Accident Attorney Can Help After a Slip-and-Fall on an MBTA Bus

The insurance company with whom you should file a claim can vary depending on whose negligence caused your accident in these circumstances. If your accident resulted from negligence on the part of the bus driver or those responsible for maintaining the MBTA’s fleet of vehicles, you may file a claim with the MBTA’s insurance. The target of your claim might be another party if your accident resulted from the negligence of another driver or the designers/manufacturers of the bus.

Identifying the liable party may require conducting a thorough investigation into your accident. Because conducting such an investigation can demand a significant investment of both time and money, there’s a good chance you lack the resources and experience necessary to investigate on your own.

You don’t have to. Instead, enlist the help of a Boston bus accident attorney. They can help by:

• Reviewing your case (at no cost to you) to determine whether you have grounds to file a claim or lawsuit
• Interviewing witnesses, investigating the accident scene, and taking other such steps to properly determine liability
• Handling all paperwork and correspondence with the insurance company on your behalf
• Calculating approximately how much compensation you may deserve based on the severity of your injuries and other such damages
• Negotiating with the insurance company for a proper settlement if they are initially reluctant to offer one

Again, if the MBTA is found to be the negligent party who caused your accident, they will be the target of your claim. This is one of many reasons to act fast if you plan on taking legal action. The statute of limitations for filing a claim or lawsuit against the MBTA is two years from the time of your accident. If you wait too long to file, you could essentially waive your right to compensation.

That doesn’t need to happen. If you’ve been involved in a slip-and-fall on an MBTA bus, a Boston bus accident attorney at Swartz & Swartz, P.C. is prepared to review your case and help you pursue any compensation for which you may be eligible. Learn more by contacting us online or calling us at (617) 742-1900 to request a free consultation.

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If you or someone you know, needs help from a lawyer, contact the law offices of Swartz & Swartz, use our live chat, or send us a message using the form below and we’ll get in touch to assess your case and how we can help.