Were You Injured in a Public Transportation Accident?

Tremont Sheldon P.C. handles all types of public transportation accidents, including train, bus and school transportation accidents. Over 37 million passenger trips occurred on the New Haven line of the Metro-North Railroad and over 38 million passenger trips occurred on the Connecticut Statewide Bus System, according to a 2012 Connecticut Department of Transportation report. While most of these trips occurred without incident, some accidents did happen and lives were impacted.

Commuter Rail and Passenger Train Accidents

Millions of Connecticut residents use the Metro-North New Haven and Shore Line East rail lines to commute to school, work and other destinations each day. The Metro-North train typically runs smoothly and is able to deliver its passengers to their destinations in a safe and timely manner. From time to time, however, Metro-North train accidents and derailments do occur, often resulting in injuries and, in some cases, death. The causes of such public transportation accidents vary from case to case, but may include the following:

• Improperly switched lines
• Debris or power lines on the tracks
• Faulty equipment or improperly maintained tracks
• Fatigued operators or operators driving under the influence
• Excessive speeds
• Distracted operation, including texting or the use of a cell phone or other electronic device

The injuries sustained from such accidents are often extensive due to the large number of passengers and the often inadequate number of seats.

Connecticut Statewide Bus System Accidents and School Transportation Accidents

Thirty-eight million passenger trips take place on public buses each year. This amount of ridership, coupled with an ever-increasing amount of traffic, makes bus accidents even more common than train accidents or derailments. Service providers in Connecticut include the Connecticut Statewide Bus System that provides public bus transportation throughout the state of Connecticut, and the Greater Bridgeport Transit system that provides public bus transportation to the following towns: Bridgeport, Trumbull, Fairfield, Stratford, Shelton, Derby, Monroe, Westport, Norwalk and Milford. Most school districts in Connecticut contract their bus routes out to either independent drivers and/or major bus companies such as First Student Bus Company. Bus accidents are often caused by the following:

• Falling asleep at the wheel
• Driving at excessive speeds
• Distracted operation, including texting or the use of a cell phone or other electronic device
• Driving under the influence
• Improper road safety such as switching lanes abruptly or not making proper or complete stops
• Not driving cautiously enough during dangerous weather conditions such as flood, ice or snow events

Ferry Accidents

Ferry accidents, though uncommon in Connecticut, do happen. In fact, Connecticut has several passenger ferries that bring passengers to their jobs and leisure destinations each day. The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company transports commuters and other passengers across Long Island Sound to Bridgeport, Connecticut and Port Jefferson, New York. Ferry-related accidents can include:

• Cars falling off
• Collisions with other boats or objects
• Hitting the dock at a rapid rate of speed or not docking properly
• Not securing vehicles properly
• Driving under the influence
• Not using caution during severe weather conditions

Other Injuries Involving Public Transportation

In addition to train derailments, bus accidents and ferry accidents, injuries may also be sustained prior to boarding a Metro-North train, a Bridgeport public bus, or a Bridgeport to Port Jefferson ferry. These accidents are often caused by the following:

• Faulty elevator equipment
• Improperly maintained train platforms, bus shelters or other waiting areas
• Trains or buses hitting pedestrians
• Slick ramps

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a transportation accident, including bus, train, ferry, public or privately owned, please contact the experienced transportation accident attorneys of Tremont Sheldon P.C. for your free consultation. Tremont Sheldon P.C. has over 50 years of experience helping those injured on trains, public buses, ferries and cars and serves all towns in Connecticut.