Causes of Serious Public Transportation Accidents

An accident involving public transport like a Metrobus could be caused by a myriad of issues. For example, driver distraction or driver fatigue are common causes of serious mass transit accidents. There may also be defective vehicle equipment or improper maintenance that contributed to the collision.

How Public Transportation Accidents are Different

When a large Metrobus collides with a smaller sedan, pickup truck, or SUV, the damage to the smaller vehicle can be quite severe. The occupants of the smaller vehicle usually bear the brunt of the damage, in addition to the occupants on the Metrobus. This means the level of economic damages that could be recovered by accident victims is typically much higher in mass transit accident cases.

Another important difference between mass transit accidents and a fender-bender is that operators of common carrier vehicles require specialized training and licensing to operate these vehicles on public roads and highways. For example, Metrobus drivers require a commercial driver’s license to legally operate the vehicle.

Getting Legal Advice is Important

When someone is seriously injured or dies while utilizing mass transit, speaking to an experienced Miami mass transit accident attorney is critically important. You need someone who understands which government entities are potentially liable. In public transport accident cases, there is potential liability on the city, county, or state, along with the operator of the mass-transit vehicle.

The state or local government could be held responsible for failing to properly train or supervise their employees or for improperly maintaining the mass transit vehicles. However, it’s important o retain an attorney who will have an understanding of the time limits for bringing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, the ability to collect evidence and investigate the accidents, and the skills to persuade a jury that you should be awarded a significant sum for your harms and losses.

For example, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim in Florida is four years from the date of the accident. However, if the claim is against a city, county or state government, the statutory time limit is only three years (and there are specific notice requirements that must be satisfied for a claim to go forward). If that wasn’t bad enough, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim is limited to two years from the date of the accident.

Consulting with a lawyer is especially critical for families of passengers who lost their lives in mass-transit accidents. Wrongful death claims are governed by a specific state statute and there are unique provisions that must be complied with in order to successfully bring a wrongful death claim in a Florida court.

Contact Our Miami Bus and Train Accident Lawyers

As you can see, the law surrounding public transportation accidents can get quite complex. That is why you should contact Alan Goldfarb, P.A. to learn about your legal options. The firm has extensive and successful experience in personal injury law in Miami.

Resource:

fdot.gov/planning/trends/tc-report/safety.pdf

Several members of a flight crew maintain that they suffered harm as a result of inhalation of toxic fumes in the aircraft’s cabin several years ago. One of those claiming injuries, the pilot of the aircraft, said that the whole flight crew as well as several passengers felt ill during the flight; the effects were likened to being intoxicated and victims said they experienced headaches and felt confused. The pilot explained that the situation is caused by air that is redirected from the aircraft’s engines to pressurize the aircraft’s cabin. This ‘bleed air’ can contain toxic fumes and, according to reports, incidents arising from these ‘fume events’ affect one out of 35,000 flights every day.

The Air We Breathe

Without a doubt, the quality of the air we breathe is an issue that deserves attention. The concern about air quality within aircraft is something that cannot be understated. As travelers, we are well aware of the concerns of breathing ‘other people’s air’ while on flights and it is no surprise that for many people the fear of getting sick as a result of a flight is something to take into consideration when making travel decisions. Even beyond the (quite valid) concern of catching a fellow passenger’s cold, however, is a deeper concern of breathing poor quality air for the duration of a flight and the long-term harm our health may suffer because of it. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recognizes the importance of the issue and the accompanying concern of fume events that take place inside aircraft, and has conducted studies on the topic over the years. Inhalation of these fumes can lead central nervous system issues such as headaches, blurred vision, nausea, balance issues, and memory loss, much like the symptoms noted by the flight crew and passengers described above.

Monitoring Air Quality

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) has issued guidelines for its members to follow in the event that they suspect a fume event is taking place. Some of their advice includes notifying the flight deck immediately if any unusual odors, smoke, or haze is noted in the cabin or if any of the flight crew or passengers begins to experience symptoms such as headache, irritated eyes, nose, or throat, dizziness or nausea. Another symptom of the condition is having a metallic taste in your mouth. Post flight symptoms of fatigue, muscle aches or chest tightness are also cause for concern associated with this type of incident.

Contact Alan Goldfarb, P.A. For Help With Your Flight Injury Case

If you have suffered injuries as a result of an airline issue, whether it was caused by turbulence or even the air quality in your aircraft’s cabin, we can help. Our Miami attorneys will fight hard to make sure you receive compensation for your injuries regardless of how they occurred. At the office of Alan Goldfarb, P.A., we have assisted countless clients in the Miami area with their mass transit injury cases and are familiar with the complex and complicated nature of these types of matters. Contact us today to allow us to get started towards helping you receive the results you deserve.

Resources:

gma.yahoo.com/flight-crew-members-toxic-air-plane-cabin-harmed-130604915–abc-news-topstories.html?soc_src=mail&soc_trk=ma

apfa.org/odor-fume-events

skybrary.aero/index.php/Bleed_Air_Systems

faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2010s/2015/201520/

Injury-Free Derailment Not The Norm

Without a doubt, this situation could have been a lot worse, as train derailments happen more than anyone would like. In so many train derailment accidents, passengers and workers alike are injured or even killed. Even though great advances have been made in mass transit safety, accidents will continue to occur and the numbers of injuries and deaths in just one accident can rise quickly. Around the country – in fact, worldwide – we see reports of train accidents with tragic results.

Rail Safety Statistics

The United States Department of Transport, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is charged with promoting the safety of our country’s railroad systems. The agency is responsible for the development of safety standards as well as oversight of railroad companies’ compliance with safety standards. Additionally, they investigate and report accidents that occur on the railways. The FRA notes that railways are busier than ever, with rail travel carrying more passengers than ever and rail freight higher than any almost point in history. They also note that riding the rails has never been safer, as the three most common types of rail accidents – human error, track defects, and equipment defects – are all down significantly over the last decade.

Types Of Rail Accidents

Train derailment is only one of several types of accidents that can occur on the railways, though it is the type of accident that has the ability to cause the most deaths and injuries at one time by comparison. Other types of railway accidents include collisions between two trains, collisions, between trains and motor vehicles, and train/pedestrian accidents. Naturally the smaller the object is that the train hits, the more likely the smaller vehicle – or person – will suffer much more damage than the train. In some train accidents, such as the Port Everglades incident, train derailments or accidents result in chemical spills, which in turn cause harm to people and property.

Contact The Office Of Alan Goldfarb, P.A. For Legal Help

If you or someone you love has been injured in a train accident, the office of Alan Goldfarb, P.A. can help. Our Miami mass transit accident attorneys will review your case with you and advise you of your rights and responsibilities under the law. During your initial consultation, you will learn how the legal system works and how your case will be handled by the courts. You can rely on our experience to be able to offer you the representation you need to obtain the best possible results.  Do not delay, contact us today to schedule your free consultation.