Atlanta MARTA Accident Attorneys

Buses and trains are among the safest forms of transportation available, and statistics on ridership reveal that many residents around Atlanta rely on public transit to get around. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Association (MARTA) reports that it has completed more than 5 billion trips carrying passengers by bus and rail since opening in 1979. The system provides reliable transportation to more than 500,000 people in Metro Atlanta, with services all day long and throughout the week. However, while public transit is generally safe, MARTA accidents often occur when buses, streetcars, and trains are sharing the road with both motorists and non-motorists.

You could suffer serious injuries in a MARTA collision, but it is reassuring to know that you can seek compensation for your losses. Because the process is complicated when you are pursuing a public entity, it is critical to retain skilled legal representation. At Wetherington Law Firm, P.C., our team is knowledgeable about the laws and experienced in developing strategies for enforcing your rights. Please contact us today to schedule a free case review with an Atlanta MARTA accident lawyer. An overview of the relevant concepts is also helpful.

Common Injuries in Mass Transit Accidents

There are many different ways you could suffer harm in a MARTA accident, based upon your position in the encounter. You could be a passenger on the bus or train, but you might be the occupant of another vehicle, a pedestrian, a bicycle rider, or another road user. Victims often suffer:

• Broken bones;
• Concussion, traumatic brain injuries, and other head injuries;
• Trauma to internal organs;
• Spinal cord injuries and fractured vertebrae;
• Cuts, serious bruises, and abrasions;
• Sprains to the tissues that connect bones;
• Muscle and tendon strains;
• Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash, herniated and bulging discs in the spine, and bursitis; and,
• Many others

In almost all cases, the size differential between the MARTA vehicle and a motorized vehicle is significant. The occupants of the passenger car are more likely to sustain serious harm. When the victim was on foot or on a bicycle, fatalities and catastrophic injuries are common. However, it is also important to realize that you could be hurt in MARTA accidents that have nothing to do with traffic. Slip and falls and related incidents can happen in terminals, stations, and stops when officials do not maintain the property in a safe condition.

The Basis for Liability in a MARTA Claim

Like other traffic collisions, accidents involving public transportation are typically based upon negligence. To prove your claim, you must show that the accident occurred because the train or bus driver failed to exercise reasonable care when operating the MARTA vehicle. Negligence is also the theory of liability behind injury-causing incidents on the property, so you would need to prove that MARTA officials were careless in maintaining depots, stations, and other common areas.

However, there is also a concept of liability that applies to common carriers, including public transit systems like MARTA. Officials are required to use the utmost care and diligence to ensure safe transportation for passengers, a duty that goes beyond negligence principles. In addition, keep in mind:

• You may qualify to recover medical costs, pain and suffering, and many other losses in a successful claim.
• The Georgia statute of limitations is 2 years, BUT there is a shorter period of time to file a claim for a case involving MARTA. You have 6 months to take action, so time is of the essence.

What to do if You Were Injured in a MARTA Accident

The chaos and confusion of a collision can be overwhelming, but some tips can help you cope with the situation. Plus, you support the efforts of our Atlanta MARTA accident attorneys at Wetherington Law Firm, P.C. if you can tackle a few tasks:

• Get appropriate medical care right away, at the ER, an urgent care center, or your primary care physician.
• Use your cell phone camera to take pictures at the scene, including the intersection, span of roadway, surrounding conditions, skid marks, and other indications.
• Do not discuss fault or how you think the MARTA accident happened.
• If contacted by an insurance company, decline to answer questions or provide a statement.

Set Up a Consultation with an Atlanta MARTA Accident Lawyer Today

This summary about your rights is useful, but you can see the importance of having skilled legal representation on your side. For more information, please contact Wetherington Law Firm, P.C. or via our website. We can schedule a no-cost consultation with a Georgia MARTA accident attorney who will explain the details.