BEST Public Transportation Injury Lawyer Near You in San Diego

Every day, thousands of people throughout San Diego County rely on public transportation, such as the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), to travel to work, school, medical appointments, sporting events, and other destinations throughout the area. The public transportation system includes regular MTS buses, Rapid buses, the San Diego Trolley light rail system, and various transit stations throughout the county. While public transportation is generally considered a safe way to travel, accidents and injuries still happen.

When someone is injured while riding public transportation, struck by an MTS-owned vehicle, or hurt on MTS property, the legal process can be very different from a typical motor vehicle accident claim in California. Accident injury claims that are made against government agencies often involve unique procedures, strict deadlines for filing claims, and additional legal requirements under California law.

At Levinson Law Group, our team represents individuals throughout San Diego and Carlsbad who have been injured because of another party’s negligence. If you need a public transportation injury lawyer, our legal team can evaluate the circumstances of your case, explain your legal options, and pursue compensation from liable parties.

Common Types of MTS Accidents

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System operates several forms of public transportation throughout the county. An MTS injury lawyer from our team has seen many San Diego MTS accidents and knows that they can occur on virtually any part of the system. Common MTS-related accidents in San Diego County include:

• Bus collisions with passenger vehicles
• Trolley and light rail accidents
• Rapid bus crashes
• Pedestrian accidents involving MTS vehicles
• Bicycle collisions with buses or trolleys
• Passengers injured during sudden stops
• Falls while boarding or exiting public transit
• Slip and fall accidents at transit stations
• Escalator or elevator accidents at transit facilities
• Platform accidents involving uneven walking surfaces
• Injuries caused by defective seating or handrails
• Security-related injuries occurring on transit property

Each accident requires a careful investigation to determine how the incident occurred and whether negligence contributed to the injury.

Types of Public Transportation Operated by MTS

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System serves various communities across San Diego County through several different types of transportation services.

San Diego Trolley Light Rail Injuries

The San Diego Trolley consists of multiple light rail lines that serve downtown San Diego and surrounding areas. Although light rail accidents are less common than automobile accidents, they can be catastrophic and result in serious injuries involving passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

Rapid Bus Service Injuries

Rapid buses operated by MTS service limited-stop routes that were designed to move passengers efficiently through heavily traveled corridors and reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Because these buses often travel at higher speeds and along dedicated bus routes throughout the city, accidents can involve significant forces that result in catastrophic injuries or even death.

Regular MTS Buses Injuries

Local buses that travel throughout San Diego County and frequently stop to pick up and drop off passengers can be involved in serious accidents as well. Injuries may occur during collisions, sudden braking, unsafe boarding conditions, or while passengers are standing inside or near the bus.

Transit Center and Station Injuries

Many injuries can occur outside of a motor vehicle accident involving a bus. Transit centers, trolley platforms, sidewalks, stairways, parking areas, elevators, and escalators can all present hazards if they are not properly maintained or inspected.

Who May Be Responsible for an MTS Injury?

Determining liability is often one of the most important parts of a public transportation injury case. When a bus accident attorney from our team takes on a case, they gather evidence and investigate all aspects of the case to determine liability.

Depending on the circumstances, one or more parties may be responsible, including:

• San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
• A negligent MTS employee
• Another driver involved in the collision
• Private contractors responsible for maintenance
• Property management companies
• Equipment manufacturers
• Construction contractors working near transit facilities
• Security companies responsible for station safety

An experienced MTS injury lawyer at Levinson Law Group will investigate the facts to determine every potentially responsible party.

Injuries That May Result from Public Transit Accidents

Public transportation accidents often cause severe injuries, but can also cause mild to life-changing injuries as well. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Concussions
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Herniated discs
• Broken bones
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee injuries
• Hip fractures
• Facial injuries
• Internal organ injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Psychological trauma following serious accidents
• Wrongful death

Many passengers are standing, walking through the vehicle, or entering and exiting when an accident occurs, which makes falls, broken bones, and lacerations especially common.

Passengers Injured on an MTS Bus or Trolley

Passengers typically have little or no control over how an accident occurs, nor do they have the ability to prevent accidents. Whether another vehicle causes the crash or the transit operator makes an error, passengers can suffer significant injuries. Common examples an MTS accident lawyer at our firm has seen include:

• Being thrown forward during sudden braking
• Falling while the bus accelerates
• Injuries caused by another passenger falling into them
• Being struck by unsecured objects
• Falling while exiting a bus
• Injuries from defective doors
• Being injured during a rollover or collision

The circumstances surrounding each accident are different and must be reviewed closely by an MTS accident lawyer to determine which insurance policies and legal claims may apply properly.

Pedestrians Hit by MTS Vehicles

Pedestrians may be injured by MTS vehicles or light rails while crossing streets, walking through intersections, or using designated crosswalks. Although buses and trolleys are large vehicles that require longer stopping distances, operators are typically expected to exercise reasonable care and be vigilant under the circumstances.

Investigating pedestrian accidents involving MTS-operated vehicles often includes reviewing:

• Surveillance footage
• Vehicle cameras
• Witness statements
• Traffic signal timing
• Operator training records
• Vehicle speed
• Roadway design

An experienced MTS accident lawyer from our team at Levinson Law Group can compile available evidence before it becomes more difficult to obtain.

Bicycle Accidents Involving Public Transit

Cyclists share many of San Diego’s roadways with buses and other public transportation vehicles. Accidents involving MTS-operated vehicles in San Diego County may occur when:

• A bus turns across a bicycle lane
• A driver fails to see a cyclist
• A bus merges without adequate clearance
• A passenger opens a door into a cyclist’s path
• A cyclist loses control because of hazardous roadway conditions near transit facilities

Determining fault in these kinds of cases often requires reviewing roadway markings, camera footage, witness accounts, and applicable California traffic laws.

Slip and Fall Injuries on MTS Property

Not every public transportation injury occurs due to a crash. Transit stations, sidewalks, platforms, parking lots, stairways, elevators, and walkways require regular inspections and maintenance to reduce hazards. Slip and fall accidents on San Diego MTS property may be caused by:

• Wet floors
• Uneven pavement
• Broken concrete
• Poor lighting
• Damaged handrails
• Loose flooring
• Debris left on walking surfaces
• Inadequate maintenance
• Unsafe stairways

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims Against MTS-Owned Public Transportation Vehicles

The statute of limitations in California for an accident injury claim involving the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is often different from the deadline that applies to citizen accidents involving private individuals or companies. Because MTS is a public entity that is funded by the government, California law typically requires injured individuals to first file a government claim before they can pursue a personal injury lawsuit. This is referred to as a notice of claim, and victims have 6 months to file one with San Diego MTS.

If the claim is denied or rejected, additional deadlines will apply for filing a lawsuit against the entity in court. Missing these deadlines can significantly affect an MTS accident victim’s ability to recover compensation, which makes it equally as important to begin investigating your case as soon as possible after an accident.

Evidence Can Be Especially Important in San Diego MTS Injury Cases

Public transportation systems often have substantial amounts of valuable evidence that may not exist in ordinary vehicle collisions. Common forms of evidence that our team works diligently to collect on behalf of victims include:

• Interior bus cameras
• Exterior vehicle cameras
• Trolley surveillance video
• Station security footage
• Driver logs
• Maintenance records
• Dispatch communications
• Inspection reports
• Event recorder data
• Employee incident reports
• Passenger witness statements
• Police reports
• Medical records

Some forms of evidence may only be retained for a limited period of time, which is why early investigation is important.

Compensation Following a Public Transportation Accident

The compensation available depends on the specific facts of each case, the nature of the injuries, and applicable California law. Depending on the circumstances, damages that can be pursued may include compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical treatment
• Rehabilitation costs
• Lost income
• Reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent disability
• Permanent impairment
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage when applicable

Each claim requires an individualized evaluation and investigation based on available evidence. Public transportation injury claims also can be more complicated than typical car accident cases because they often involve:

• Government claim requirements
• Multiple potentially liable parties
• Agency investigations
• Extensive documentation

Contact A MTS Injury Lawyer In San Diego Today

At Levinson Law Group, we represent San Diego MTS accident injury victims throughout San Diego County. A San Diego public transportation injury lawyer from our team can help you pursue compensation while you focus on recovery, whether you were injured:

• While riding a trolley
• Traveling on a Rapid bus
• Walking off an MTS bus
• Struck by an MTS vehicle as a pedestrian or cyclist
• Injured at an MTS station

Our legal team provides personalized legal representation throughout every stage of your claim and may assist by:

• Investigating how the accident occurred
• Identifying all potentially responsible parties
• Preserving available evidence before it is lost
• Obtaining surveillance footage when available
• Reviewing maintenance, inspection, and accident records
• Interviewing witnesses
• Working with medical providers to document the full extent of your injuries
• Calculating medical expenses, lost income, and other recoverable damages
• Communicating with insurance companies and government representatives on your behalf
• Negotiating for a fair settlement when appropriate
• Preparing your case for litigation if a favorable resolution cannot be reached

Every San Diego Metropolitan Transit System accident presents unique facts and legal issues that require an in-depth knowledge of the law. Our team at Levinson Law Group is committed to building a strong MTS accident case based on the evidence and providing experienced legal guidance from the beginning of your claim through its resolution.