Representing Boston’s Mass Transit Injury Cases
Accidents involving buses, taxis, or the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) are not necessarily handled in the same way as other traffic accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in one of these types of accidents, it is important that you choose a personal injury lawyer who is familiar with the unique nuances involved in pursuing compensation from a business or public agency.
At DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers, we have nearly two decades of experience handling a wide range of motor vehicle cases, including those involving public transit. We have offices in Boston, Methuen, and Burlington and we work hard to obtain successful outcomes for our clients. Should you choose to work with our firm, you will find that the attorneys at our law firm are extremely caring and effective. No matter what type of public transportation caused your injury, our experience can benefit you. Please reach out to us today at (781) 512-7417 to schedule a free consultation with our legal team.
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Public Transportation Accidents in Boston
Boston is a huge city, covering 48 square miles. Over 687,000 people called Boston home. With this many residents and countless tourists traversing the city, the people of Boston rely heavily on public transportation. The system is operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority but we usually refer to it as the T. The T offers bus, subway, trolley, and boat service throughout the Greater Boston area and beyond.
Most Massachusetts residents think the typical T accident injury claim comes from a bus, subway, or ferry collision, but there are a number of additional ways people can be hurt. Not only is the MTBA responsible for passengers on all of their different modes of transportation, but they are also responsible for ensuring the safety of people visiting their facilities. Accidents that occur on train platforms, in subway stations, and in bus depots may qualify for a personal injury claim against the MTBA. Some examples could be falling on a train platform that has damage to the surface, falling on poorly lit steps in a subway station, or being injured when boarding a ferry because the dock has been poorly maintained.
Private Vs. Public Buses
We assist people hit by buses of all types as well as people who have been injured as passengers on a bus. Our experienced staff can handle cases involving:
- MBTA buses and other city buses in Massachusetts
- Tour buses
- Airport shuttle buses
- Long-distance buses such as Greyhound or Amtrak buses
- School buses
- Church buses
- Prison buses
- Party buses
- Hotel and convention center buses
It is important to understand that liability for Boston bus accidents is often more complicated than it may first appear. While most major bus companies throughout the Burlington area are operated by a government agency, there are several private bus companies that also provide various services outside of scheduled routes, such as rental buses for parties or church trips. There are several factors to consider in these cases, as the claims process is entirely different for private and public vehicles.
If your accident involved a public vehicle such as an MBTA bus, a Burlington School District bus, or Amtrak bus, then you may be eligible to file a government tort claim against the respective agency who oversees the vehicle, oftentimes the Department of Public Utilities Transportation Oversight Division. However, in the state of Massachusetts, you only have up until 30 days after your accident to file a claim and can only recover a maximum of $100,000 in damages. That is why, if you were injured by a government, you should not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible.
If you’ve been in an accident while riding a motorcycle and were hit by Boston Public Transportation vehicles like buses or even taxis, reaching out to a Boston motorcycle accident lawyer who specializes in such incidents is crucial. They have the expertise to handle the unique challenges of claims involving public transit vehicles, ensuring you receive appropriate compensation and support for your recovery.
In contrast, accidents involving private buses operate similarly to standard car accident claims, as you have up until three years after an accident to file a claim and there are no caps on damages that you can receive. That being said, you will still want to start working with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure no important pieces of evidence are missed during an investigation.
We've offered crucial support and guidance to individuals who have suffered injuries, ensuring their financial and emotional well-being.
Your Rights in a Taxi Accident
In addition to bus accidents, we also handle all personal injury cases involving taxi accidents from yellow cabs to airport cabs. Whether your case involves injuries suffered because your vehicle was hit by a cab or injuries suffered as a passenger in a cab, we can help.
When beginning a claim against a cab driver or company, it is important to understand that they are not one and the same. Most taxicab drivers, while required to have liability insurance policies according to Massachusetts’s laws, are independent contractors, meaning they are not considered full-time employees of the taxi company. This means, when it comes time to file a claim for negligence, your claim may only be against the driver, not the company that owns the vehicle. Even in cases where the driver is fully employed, many large taxi companies are divided into smaller businesses with their own liability policies.
In both instances, if you can prove that the cab driver acted negligently, you could file against their liability policy, which is often set at $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in accordance with state minimums for taxis. If your injuries were extensive, this may not be enough to cover the costs of your injuries. However, if you have underinsured motorist coverage, then you may be able to file a claim against your own policy as well as the taxicab driver’s policy.
Get in touch with us today to get a free consultation.
Burlington MBTA Accident Lawyer
The MBTA is a government agency, and as such, it has certain protections in personal injury cases that an attorney must understand before moving forward with a claim. Our Burlington car accident lawyers understand the law as it applies in these cases, so you can be confident in our ability to pursue fair compensation for you. We have nearly two decades of experience and are not intimidated by public agencies or their large legal teams who hope to bury your claim in a mountain of jargon and paperwork. Call us today at (781) 512-7417 and allow us to work for you.
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