San Francisco BART Accident Lawyer
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system transports thousands of Northern California passengers via surface and underground services every day. Overall, BART is a safe way for passengers to travel, and most arrive at their destinations without incident. There are times, however, when equipment failure or operator negligence leads to serious accidents and life-changing injuries. In these situations, injury victims have grounds to seek compensation for their medical care and other losses with the help of a public transportation accident attorney.
These are complex cases that require the attention of a qualified San Francisco BART accident lawyer who knows the law and has the ability to secure the best available outcome on the victim’s behalf. At Mary Alexander & Associates, P.C., we offer our clients more than 30 years of experience in the practice of California law. We know your rights, and we know how to protect them. You can rely on us to pursue every available option in an effort to successfully resolve your case.
Types Of BART Accidents
Our law firm handles claims against BART arising from any cause, including:
- Fires in trains
- Train failure
- Operator error or negligence
- Train collisions
- Accidents at train stations
- Escalator and stair accidents
- Walkway accidents
- Fatal BART accidents
A San Francisco attorney who has experience in BART accidents could help pursue compensation for cases involving catastrophic injuries, such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and severe burns. We have also handled cases involving multiple injuries as well as wrongful death claims. In every case, our San Francisco personal injury attorneys prepare thoroughly and consult with well-regarded specialists to build strong cases for our injured clients. We have repeatedly demonstrated our ability to both interpret and utilize complex technical and medical data in pursuit of full compensation for our clients.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim After a BART Incident
Unfortunately, some BART accidents are fatal. This leaves family members struggling with a number of important issues. For example, a single parent may be left alone to raise their children without the financial support of a primary wage earner. They may also be left alone to deal with funeral expenses and unpaid medical bills that accumulated while their loved one was on their deathbed.
Fortunately, family members can file personal injury claims on behalf of their deceased loved ones. Even though your family member is gone, you are still entitled to fight for justice and fair compensation. This is known as a “wrongful death” claim. By suing negligent parties, you can recover compensation for missed future wages, providing you with more than enough funds to take care of your family for the foreseeable future. You can also recover compensation for unpaid medical expenses, funeral expenses, and much more.
The Statute of Limitations
If you have suffered a BART injury, you definitely need to keep an eye on the statute of limitations. This is essentially a time limit placed on injured plaintiffs. If you allow the statute of limitations to expire, you may lose your ability to sue. This means that it will be impossible to recover compensation. Because BART is a government organization, the statute of limitations may actually be much shorter than with a normal personal injury claim. This is why it is always a good idea to get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney in San Francisco as soon as possible after your injury has occured.
It is worth mentioning that there are often exceptions when it comes to the statute of limitations. For example, the clock only really starts ticking after you become aware of your injuries. This is an important distinction because it may allow you to sue long after the injury has occured. A coma victim does not become aware that they have been injured until after they regain consciousness, which may be decades after the injury. A head injury victim may also suffer from amnesia, only realizing that they have suffered an injury many years later.
What is the Most Common Type of BART Accident?
Some of the most common BART accidents are slips and falls. These accidents often occur as people are walking in train stations or on walkways that are within BART property. There are a number of factors that can lead to a slip and fall. Perhaps the most common is a wet surface. This can be caused by excessive rain buildup, a spill, or perhaps even leaking industrial fluid. In any case, it is the responsibility of BART staff to address these concerns right away and clean up any wet surfaces as soon as possible.
How quickly do staff members need to react when they notice a wet surface? Generally speaking, there is no reason why a spill should be left to sit for more than five minutes. This is about the time it takes to walk to a closet, retrieve the necessary cleaning equipment, and deal with the spill. Alternatively, a staff member may place a “wet surface” warning sign near the spill in order to warn members of the public of the danger. While this can help them escape liability if someone becomes injured, the signs must be clearly legible and placed in an obvious spot.
Another common BART injury is assault. Train stations are becoming less safe for members of the public who are simply trying to get to work. Violent criminals target these individuals and may try to rob them, stealing their cell phones, their wallets, and other valuables. Assault victims can be left with serious injuries and lasting psychological trauma. Rest assured that you can potentially hold BART accountable for allowing these attacks to happen. You can do this by filing what is known as a “negligent security” lawsuit.
What Evidence Do I Need for a BART Injury Lawsuit?
Evidence is always important when filing an injury claim. The good news is that almost everything that occurs on BART property is recorded by surveillance cameras. This means that you can use this footage as evidence when proving negligence, and this footage can help you recover a fair, adequate level of compensation. For example, you might have suffered a slip and fall injury at a BART station. The surveillance footage may clearly show that a staff member noticed the spill and failed to clean it up. This footage can also be useful when or if BART tries to deny that your injuries actually occured on BART property.
Using State-Of-The-Art Technology To Tell Your Story
Another reason for our San Francisco BART accident lawyers’ success in personal injury matters is our use of the latest courtroom technology that allows us to tell our clients’ stories to non-specialists in compelling ways. This technology allows our lawyers to explain complex matters to juries and other lay people by showing them what happened and how the BART violated its required standard of care.
Contact a San Francisco BART Accident Attorney for Help Filing a Claim
If you need assistance after an accident and wish to talk to a San Francisco BART accident lawyer, please contact us online or call today. We offer a free initial consultation where you can get honest answers to your questions and learn more about your legal options.
