If you are a commuter in Maryland, there is a good chance you are familiar with the MARC train services and BaltimoreLink buses. If you use these services, then you depend on them to get you to your destination efficiently and safely. While these accidents are not as common as car accidents, bus and trail accidents still may happen more frequently than you think. If you have been injured in a mass transit accident, here are some of the questions you may have:
What are the most common causes of train accidents?
Train accidents are less common than bus accidents, but this does not mean trains are disaster-proof, either. Here are some of the most common causes of train accidents:
- Reckless pedestrians and conductors
- Mechanical failure
- Excessively speeding
- Defective tracks
- Stalled cars on the track
- Unprotected railroad crossings
- Derailments
While some of these factors are not necessarily the conductor’s fault, they all represent some degree of negligence. This is a key aspect to keep in mind when proving your personal injury claim.
What are the most common causes of bus accidents?
People rely on buses as an affordable, safe means of transportation from one place to the next. However, buses are also massive vehicles and are therefore more challenging to operate than most standard-sized cars. This is one of the main reasons why they pose a potential safety hazard to others on the road. Here are some of the primary causes of bus accidents:
- Bus fires
- Left turns
- Blind spots
- Inclement weather conditions, such as black ice
- Discharging of passengers on unsafe or poorly maintained roadways
- A lack of seatbelts of other safety features
- Sudden stops and starts
There are several other forms of driver or conductor negligence that can apply to any motor vehicle, mass transit or otherwise. These include driving under the influence, texting while driving, driving while fatigued, or disregarding the rules and regulations of either the road or the railroad.
What is the statute of limitations, and how may I recover compensation following a Maryland mass transit accident?
If you believe you have been injured due to another party’s negligence, you will most likely be entitled to financial compensation. However, in the state of Maryland, it is important to note that generally, if you wish to recover compensation in a personal injury case, you must file your claim within 3 years of the accident. However, since you will be filing your claim against the state-run Maryland Transit Administration, you are required to file a Notice of Claim within one year of the accident if you plan on taking legal action.
Contact our Maryland firm
The legal team at Markey & Orsi has proudly represented clients who have been injured throughout the state of Maryland due to the negligence of another party for nearly 30 years. If you require strong legal representation, contact Markey & Orsi today to schedule a consultation.
