Salt Lake City Public Transportation Injury Attorney

Many people in Salt Lake City and throughout Utah rely on public transportation every day. Do you know what to do after an accident on public transportation? Our attorneys at Handy & Handy, P.C., do. We have more than 35 years of experience helping victims injured in accidents understand their rights and options after an accident.

Call us at (801) 264-6677 to schedule a free consultation after an accident. Our lawyers will get to work right away to get all documentation to file a claim with the insurance company and to help you get the best medical care possible. We will advocate for you throughout this process so you can focus on getting better.

Learn more about seeking general damages after an accident by visiting our general damages information page.

Who is Liable to Compensate Me For My Utah Bus Accident Injuries?

In most bus accident cases, the obvious thing to do is sue the company that operates the bus. Most of the time, this will be a public transit authority like the Utah Transit Authority, but it can be a private company as well.

If your accident does involve public transportation, you must file a Notice of Claim with the Utah Transit Authority within one year from the date of the accident. In some cases, however, other drivers may be at fault as well. Fortunately, it is possible to pursue a claim against multiple defendants if necessary.

The key question in a bus accident case is whether the bus driver or other defendants caused the accident by negligent conduct. If so, then the negligent party(s) will likely be held liable for any damages caused by the accident.

Most bus accident cases settle instead of going to court. But, the amount of compensation you can get in a settlement will usually depend on how strong your case would be had it gone to trial. It is therefore important to have an experienced personal injury attorney negotiate the highest settlement possible, while being prepared to take the case to trial if necessary.

Filing A Claim Against The Utah Transit Authority

We represent victims injured in accidents throughout Utah involving:

• UTA buses
• The TRAX light rail system
• The front-runner commuter rail line

The Utah Transit Authority is responsible for the safe operation of its bus, light rail and commuter rail lines. It can be held liable in a personal injury claim after an accident. These claims are handled differently from claims with other motorists after car crashes. The UTA carries more robust insurance coverage due to the multiple transportation modes used daily and the number of people who may be impacted in an accident.

What to Do After a Bus Accident in Utah

A bus accident case is a unique type of personal injury case. This is because most bus companies in Utah are run by government entities.

Government entities have strict deadlines and special rules that protect them and make it more difficult to file a personal injury claim against them. If you were seriously injured in a bus accident in Utah, take the following steps to preserve evidence and secure your ability to file a successful bus accident claim:

Collect Names

Get the names, phone numbers, and addresses of other people on the bus, or who witnessed the accident and can testify to what happened.

Take Pictures

Take pictures while you are still at the scene of the accident. Whether you were involved in a motor vehicle accident with a bus, a slip-and-fall at a bus station, a slip-and-fall on the bus, or something of that sort, take as many pictures as you can, and remember to photograph evidence of any injuries you have sustained.

Seek Medical Treatment

Seek medical treatment right away. Even if you feel fine, get checked out anyway. You may have hidden injuries that need to be discovered and treated. Moreover, seeking medical treatment immediately after an accident helps to establish a link between your injuries and the accident for a future bus accident claim.

Do Not Give Any Statement

If you are contacted by an investigator from the bus company, do not give any statement to them, or sign anything until after you have consulted with a qualified Utah bus accident lawyer.

Likewise, if the bus company offers you an early settlement, you should not accept it until after you have consulted with your attorney. If the bus company is putting money on the table, that is a strong sign that they realize some liability on their part, and that you should contact an attorney right away to help you negotiate a maximum settlement.

Get an Experienced Utah Bus Accident Attorney Involved Immediately

Bus accident injury claims in Utah are subject to strict deadlines. Also, witnesses could disappear, evidence could be lost, and many other issues could come up.

A lawyer experienced in these kinds of cases will know how to protect your legal rights and ensure that you recover compensation for your present and future medical bills and any lost wages, as well as compensation for your pain and suffering.

Get Help After An Accident. Contact Us.

Our goal is to make sure you receive the care and attention you deserve. We will explore all options to maximize the damages in your claim and to help you move forward with your life.

Life will drastically change after being injured in a crash. We are here to calm your fears, answer your questions and advocate for your best interests. Do not wait to contact us after an accident on public transportation. Schedule a free consultation with our firm by sending us an email or calling (801) 264-6677. We get paid only if we win your case.