Oakland BART Accident Lawyer

San Francisco Muni Accident Attorney

Bus Accidents • Taxi Accidents • Train Accidents

Buses, taxis, trains - these are called "common carriers" and a special area of law applies to them. Operators of mass transit vehicles are held to a higher standard of care than average drivers because so many people's safety depends upon them.

If the driver of a bus, taxi or train is negligent or derelict in duty and it leads to the injury or death of passengers, a jury may award money in damages to victims. Because the injury will hear instructions regarding the heightened duty and responsibilities of common carriers, they often make larger damage awards because of this "aggravated liability."

If you were injured as a passenger of a bus, taxi, BART train, San Francisco Muni (municipal railway), or other "common carrier," talk with an injury lawyer before you sign any papers or settle any claim with the common carrier. Be sure you understand your rights and that you protect your ability to recover full compensation for your injuries.

Contact personal injury attorney David G. Smith for a free case evaluation and an explanation of your rights in a public transportation accident case.

Successful Results in Public Transportation Accident Cases Since 1978

Call 888-893-3741

What is Aggravated Liability?

Attorney Smith handled a case for a person who was struck by a car along the highway. In this case the client had been riding a bus home from an area casino when the bus broke down. A rescue bus arrived but was heading in the wrong direction. The driver unwisely decided to turn around in the center of the two lane road and during that maneuver a truck coming down the road had to swerve to miss the bus. The truck hit the passengers standing on the side of the road instead.

The bus company has a duty to ensure the safety of its passengers. In this case there were several ways in which the bus driver's actions were unsafe and directly contributed to the serious injuries suffered by Mr. Smith's client. The insurer paid 4.5 million dollars to settle this case prior to trial.

Having Problems with the Cab Company?

You were the passenger in a taxi that got in an accident. Now you are trying to get the cab company to pay your medical bills but you're getting the run around. Cab companies are notorious for being unresponsive - and for changing insurance companies again and again so injured people can't bring a claim against them.

They've got a million excuses:

• They didn't know the name of the driver
• They didn't get the police report
• They don't remember the accident happening

If you are having trouble getting information from a taxi company, we can often cut through the confusion and the red tape. We can get insurance information and accident reports