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Unfortunately, many people in New Jersey have become injured as a result of a mass transit accident. Some of the common accidents that can occur on mass transit include:
- Slipping and falling on train platform
- Being a passenger on a bus involved in a motor vehicle accident
- Getting injured due to a bus or train stopping short
- Tripping while getting on or off a bus
- Being in car struck by a bus or train
If you have been involved in a mass transit accident, the first things you should do, if medically able, is file a report with the bus driver, conductor or other employee of transit line. After filing the report, and then seek medical attention.
After you had sought medical attention for your immediate needs, you should contact a competent attorney because there are many special rules that apply with regard to mass transit accidents and you need an experienced attorney to properly evaluate the claim and follow the correct procedure. The procedure that needs to be followed depends on whether the accident occurred on private company transit line, on a public carrier or a PATH train.
In New Jersey much of the mass transit is handled by NJ Transit, which is governmental agency. Because NJ Transit is a governmental agency many rules apply to NJ Transit that would not apply to a private carrier such as Greyhound.
Under N.J.S.A. 59:2-1, if you are seeking damages against a governmental agency, you must serve a tort claims notice upon the government entity within 90 days of the date of the alleged incident. This notice must be served correctly to the proper governmental agency or authority. Once the tort claims notice is served, there is a statutory waiting period of six months before a person is permitted to file a lawsuit for damages. The six month period allows is to allow the governmental agency or authority to properly evaluate the claim. An injured person must also file his or her lawsuit within two years of the accident or the claim is forever barred.
Bi-agencies such as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the PATH trains, have their own separate rules and regulations such as shorter statutes of limitations of only one year.
Because of the strict notice requirements, it is important that you contact an personal injury attorney as soon as you are medically able. At Aiello, Harris, Abate we have handled thousands of cases resulting from mass transit accidents. Our firm has offices throughout New Jersey. If you have been involved in a mass transit accident, please contact one of our attorneys today for a free consultation.
Our personal injury lawyers in New Jersey keep flexible office hours, with weekend appointments available, and we can meet you in your home or hospital room if you cannot travel to our office. Call us today, or contact us online, we’re standing by to assist you at (908) 561-5577.
