Public transit is a vital service for many Albertans, connecting communities and enabling access to work, education, and all other aspects of a full life. While designed for safety, accidents involving public transit unfortunately do occur, leaving passengers injured and facing an uncertain future.
If you’ve been injured in a public transportation accident in Alberta, keep reading this article or get in touch with us at Grover Law Firm as soon as possible. Understanding your legal rights and options is paramount so you can successfully navigate the complexities of personal injury law and pursue the compensation you deserve.
We can explain personal injury law to you in a way that is easy to understand and gives you hope for regaining your peace of mind. Call or text us anytime. Our firm’s representatives are standing by 24/7 to respond.
Who Should Handle Alberta Public Transportation Accidents?
Accidents involving public transit in Alberta can range from fender-benders to serious collisions involving buses, the light rail, and even specialized transportation services. Any of these incidents, no matter how seemingly minor, can cause both physical harm and significant emotional distress.
You may be tempted to file your claim or lawsuit entirely by yourself, but there is a better, easier way to maximize your compensation. Keep in mind that personal injury claims arising from public transit accidents can be more complex than your typical motor vehicle accident claims, often involving municipal or provincial government entities and the specific regulations they operate under.
These complications make experienced, knowledgeable representation by personal injury lawyers crucial.
Why Leave Evaluating Your Public Transportation Accident Up to Us
The causes of public transit accidents can vary widely, including:
- Driver negligence: Including distracted driving, speeding, or impaired driving
- Insufficient vehicle maintenance: Possibly leading to mechanical failures such as brake issues or tire blowouts, which could contribute to a collision
- Inadequate driver training: Statistics show that the population of younger drivers are disproportionately involved in accidents
- Poor signage: This can contribute to confusion and, thereby, collisions between vehicles
As you can see, there may be several less-than-obvious reasons for your accident. All it takes to uncover these factors is some digging.
Your Alberta personal injury lawyers at Grover Law Firm have the experience and know-how to gather the evidence needed to show how each liable party contributed to your accident.
In Alberta, establishing liability is one way to both maximize and protect your compensation. Under the province’s statute of contributory negligence, a party who shares fault for what happened can still obtain damages, but only if they share less than half of the fault.
So talk to a lawyer to make sure you get the money you deserve. A comprehensive investigation is often necessary to uncover all contributing factors and identify the responsible party or parties.
What to Do Immediately After an Alberta Public Transit Accident
Leaving your case up to personal injury lawyers is the best thing for your peace of mind, but there are still some steps you can take to preserve your case. Even as soon as you find yourself in a collision, you can take immediate action.
To pursue a successful personal injury claim with maximum compensation, don’t forget to:
- Document your property damage, medical expenses, injuries, and lost wages by taking notes, photos, and videos from the time of the accident and onward
- Seek medical attention and a doctor’s advice as soon as possible after the incident to connect your injuries to the public transportation accident
- Tell a personal injury lawyer everything about how the accident has been for your family, affected you emotionally, impacted your finances, and changed your life
Once you have taken these steps, your lawyer will work hard to investigate and establish liability. We know how to meticulously review your medical records and other documentation to build the strongest possible case on your behalf. Justice is our goal – not to mention winning you fair compensation.
How to Establish Liability in Alberta Public Transit Accidents
Establishing liability is the cornerstone of any successful personal injury claim arising from a public transportation accident in Alberta.
In other words, the party, or even multiple parties, legally responsible for causing the accident must be identified. From here, each party’s share of fault must also be clearly established. Unfortunately, this is not as easy as it may sound.
Alberta’s Contributory Negligence Act is very clear: When “it is not possible to establish different degrees of fault, the liability shall be apportioned equally.”
As nice as “equal” sounds, an equal portion of assigned fault may not be fair to you. That’s why we recommend seeking legal guidance from a skilled personal injury lawyer to learn how to minimize your share of fault.
Your lawyer has what it takes to prove that the liable party’s negligence directly resulted in your injuries. He or she can interview witnesses, review police reports, obtain maintenance records, and consult accident reconstruction specialists on your behalf to prove your side of the story.
The following parties that could be found liable for a public transportation accident in Alberta include:
- Municipal transit authorities: Such as Calgary Transit or Edmonton Transit Service, as they are responsible for the safe operation of our local transportation
- Individual operating the vehicle: Whether the person is a bus driver or train operator, he or she could be liable for actions contributing to the accident
- Manufacturers: The designers or makers of a component that failed and led to the accident, such as a defective braking system, may also be held liable for your medical expenses and other damages
To demonstrate liability, you must prove that the responsible party acted negligently. This means demonstrating that they failed to exercise the level of care that a reasonable person would have exercised under similar circumstances.
For example, a bus driver running a red light or a transit authority failing to adequately maintain its vehicles are two contrasting situations that would both constitute negligence.
How to Beat the Clock in Alberta and Get Paid
The claims process following a public transportation accident in Alberta can be complex and challenging, particularly when dealing with multiple potentially liable parties, different insurance companies, and powerful government entities. But we handle cases like these every day and can help you, too.
Experienced personal injury lawyers can work hard to support your claim by identifying the liable parties, negotiating with the insurance companies, and filing according to every governmental statute. We will also make sure to follow each deadline to the letter.
In Alberta, you generally need to provide formal notice of your claim to the municipality or transit authority within a specific timeframe. This notice outlines the details of the accident and your intent to seek compensation. Missing this deadline would be detrimental to your case.
Meanwhile, you might find that the insurance company either tries to slow you down or make you feel you are running out of time. They want to settle your claim for as little as possible, so they may try to pressure you to settle sooner for less, but they also want the statute of limitations to expire before you complete negotiations.
Don’t let the deadlines or insurers get to you. It could all make your head swim, but a skilled lawyer can back you up. The Grover Law Firm team can work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure you receive the fair compensation you deserve under personal injury law.
Any of our experienced Alberta personal injury claims lawyers can guide you through the entire claims process, ensuring that all deadlines are met and your rights are fully protected. We can handle communications with the insurance company, prepare and file the necessary paperwork, and aggressively represent you in negotiations or in court if necessary.
Why You Need Experienced Legal Representation for Alberta Personal Injury Claims
Being injured in a public transportation accident can indeed lead to physical pain, emotional distress, and significant financial strain – but don’t despair. You are entitled to fair compensation to help you recover and rebuild your life.
Even if you share some fault for your accident, you may be able to receive compensation. You may have to fight for the compensation you deserve, but you can make the claims process much easier for yourself if you consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your public transit collision.
Our experienced Alberta personal injury lawyers possess the in-depth knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the intricacies of personal injury law. We understand the nuances of dealing with government entities and can build a compelling case to protect your legal rights.
At Grover Law Firm, we are passionately dedicated to advocating for the people of Alberta who are unfairly injured in public transit accidents. If you have suffered minor or severe injuries, come talk to us in a free consultation. We want a chance to provide you with the legal assistance and skilled representation you need to secure fair compensation for your losses.
Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you get back on the path to recovery. Your rights matter, and we are here to fight for them on your behalf.