Many people throughout Metro St. Louis depend on public transportation, using it on a daily basis and expecting it to deliver them where they want to go, safely and relatively on time. When the bus is late, it is certainly not a violation of your legal rights. But, when you or a loved one is hurt, or worse, in a public transportation accident, you have a legal right to compensation for damages from the responsible organization. Call a public transportation accident lawyer immediately or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation regarding the specifics of your case.

Our St. Louis public transportation lawyers can help you get the medical treatment and compensation you need to get your life back on track. After all, the drivers and operators of metro buses and trains, as well as ferries, trolleys and shuttle buses are supposed to be highly trained. Each day they are entrusted with the safety of their passengers and other motorists on the road. You need a dedicated and experienced bus accident attorney in your corner, building a strong case against the responsible, negligent party, so that you and your family can recover compensation for the damages you have sustained.

How Common Are St. Louis Public Transportation Accidents?

According to a recent report by the U.S. Bureau of Transportation, public transportation accidents totaled 23,371 in a recent year. On average, public transportation accidents account for approximately 18,000 injuries and 250 fatalities per year.

While public transportation accidents might not happen all that often, the sheer size and weight of the vehicles involved makes the accidents particularly devastating to passengers, pedestrians, and other vehicles. Bus accidents are the most frequent, at least in Missouri – occurring, on average, 1,684 times a year between 2016 and 2020. There were 25 fatal bus accidents in those years. During that same period, there were 4,257 fatal car crashes. Missouri recognizes that driving or operating a mode of public transportation requires special skills, advanced training and abilities, as well as maneuvering techniques, resulting in special licensing. But that recognition does not mean

If you or a loved one has been involved in a public transportation accident, a St. Louis public transportation accident lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation for any injuries you sustained.

What Causes St. Louis Public Transportation Accidents?

Public transportation accidents can result in devastating injuries due to the fact that many of the vehicles travel at high rates of speed. Additionally, passengers may be carrying objects that could become projectiles if a bus rolls over. Similar to car or truck crashes, public transportation accidents tend to encompass one of more contributing factors or causes, such as:

Distracted driving- No matter the mode of transport, distracted drivers are almost 6 times more likely to cause a car crash than if they were focused on the road.
Limited experience or training- It is the owner’s responsibility to properly train its employees and put them in situations to gain necessary experience. A bus, for example, is more likely to rollover due to the fact that the vehicle’s center of gravity sits higher above the road surface. Adding to the risk of a rollover is the fact that most passengers do not wear seatbelts and buses typically are not equipped with airbags.
Recklessness- Frequent causes of recklessness while operating public transportation include:
Operating while intoxicated
Speeding
Cell phone usage
Neglecting traffic signs/lights
Adverse weather conditions
Poor vehicle maintenance

Who Do I Sue After My Public Transportation Accident?

If you are injured while on public transportation in St. Louis, the obvious claim to be made is against the driver or operator. Additionally, under Common Carrier laws, you might be entitled to make a claim against the public transportation company that runs that particular means of transport, possibly including governmental operations like the City of St. Louis or State of Missouri or Illinois.

The Common Carrier Liability Act in Missouri is defined by Missouri Revised Statute §390.020 as “any person which holds itself out to the general public to engage in the transportation by motor vehicle of passengers or property for hire or compensation upon the public highways and airlines engaged in intrastate commerce.” Under this law, the facts supporting the conclusion that a business is operating as a common carrier include:

Transportation of property or passengers without refusal or discrimination if the fare or charge is paid
Published rates or fares
Reasonable rates or fares
Published routes
All required registrations, licenses, permits and insurance
Carrier represents itself and holds itself out to the general public as a common carrier
General public recognition as a common carrier
Revenue generated through common carrier activities substantially contributes to the financial requirements of the carrier’s operation
Sufficient income from freight transportation charges to reflect that its common carrier operations are a viable part of its business

In Illinois, 740 ILCS 25/ serves as the Common Carrier Liability Act.

What are St. Louis ‘Common Carriers’ Responsible For?

In both Missouri and Illinois, common carriers owe their passengers a higher degree of care than the average person does. In Missouri case law, there is no sliding scale for its highest degree of care for common carriers. And in Illinois case law, a common carrier owes its passengers the duty to use the highest degree of care consistent with the type of vehicle used in the practical operation of its business. Part of the common carriers’ duty of care includes:

Performing background checks on potential employees before hiring them.
- Drug screening
- Checking employment and personal references
- Validating college degree or accreditation
- Checking driving records
Providing proper safety and driver training
Inspecting and maintaining the safety of vehicles and equipment
Creating realistic schedules to encourage drivers to take their time and operate vehicles safely
Exercising reasonable care to protect passengers from potential harm by a third party
Warning passengers about potential hazards

Call a St. Louis public transportation accident lawyer today for a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case or contact us online.

What Qualifies as a Public Transportation Accident?

Because of the higher standard of care, several scenarios qualify as accidents on public transportation. And these incidents do not have to occur while the particular vehicle is in motion. We have years of experience working on accident cases throughout Missouri and Illinois. Some of the types of accidents our St. Louis public transportation accident lawyer sees include:

Slip and fall accidents on the MetroLink
Collision with another train or vehicle while aboard MetroLink
Vehicle or pedestrian accidents on a MetroBus
Slip and fall accidents on a MetroBus
Accidents while aboard a trolley
Accidents while aboard a ferry

Reach Out to a St. Louis Public Transportation Accident Lawyer Today

If you have sustained a serious injury in a public transportation accident, you are probably worried and uncertain about your, as well as your family’s, future and how you are going to go about paying for your medical bills and treatment, particularly when you have to take time off work. You do not have to go it alone. The St. Louis public transportation accident lawyers at McCready Law know the impact your injury has on you and your family, know how to stand up to bullies and know how to win cases.

Call our personal injury attorneys now aor fill out our online form for a free case review and to start on the road to recovery.