Many people who do not own a vehicle rely on public transportation as their primary way of commuting. Even some people that do own a car choose to use public transportation on a regular basis, a trend which seems to be gaining popularity. Taking a train or bus to school or work has many advantages. For one thing, it makes dealing with rush hour traffic much less stressful, and allows the rider to sit back and relax, read, or catch up on work. Other advantages to taking public transportation include saving money from vehicle maintenance and gas costs, reducing traffic congestion, and helping reduce vehicle emissions that may cause harm to the environment.
When a person boards a public transportation vehicle, they trust that the organization responsible for overseeing the vehicle's maintenance and operation is appropriately providing for their safety and well being. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In fact, there are many instances where negligent behavior involving public transportation can create dangerous situations for riders, as well as for other commuters who share the road with buses and trains.
Negligent or reckless bus drivers or train operators are one potential cause of accidents involving public transportation vehicles. Anyone who regularly rides a city bus has likely experienced the driver perform maneuvers that made the passengers a little nervous. There is no excuse for employees responsible a huge vehicle and the safety of a full load of passengers driving in a recklessly aggressive way. Sometimes this negligence is the result of drivers that are tired or overworked. While this may point to a problem higher up the command chain, it in no way makes putting passengers in harm's way acceptable.
Negligent drivers are not the only source of danger related to public vehicles, though. Maintenance employees also play a huge role in protecting the public. If a bus or train suffers a serious mechanical malfunction, it can easily result in a serious accident. A tire blowout might cause a full bus to lose control and roll, severely injuring passengers and other motorists alike. When trains are involved, track maintenance is obviously extremely important. Even a seemingly small defect in the track can cause a catastrophic derailment that could potentially kill many of the train's passengers. It is a scary thought, but a real possibility.
If an individual is involved in an accident involving public transportation and negligence had a hand in causing the wreck, the victim may be entitled to compensation. A legal professional with experience in liability lawsuits will be able to help determine the person's best course of action.
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