Bridgeport, CT Public Transportation Accident Attorneys

Lawyers for Accidents Involving Trains, Buses, Ferries, and Other Forms of Public Transit in Bridgeport, Connecticut

People in Connecticut will often need to share the road with large public transportation vehicles like buses. They may also encounter trains or use ferries. While drivers will usually be able to avoid problems related to large vehicles, there are some situations where accidents may occur. Collisions with buses or trains or safety issues on ferries could cause drivers to suffer serious harm. Public transportation passengers may also be injured due to accidents or safety concerns. In these situations, determining how to move forward is not always easy.

At Tremont Sheldon P.C., our attorneys can assist with all types of public transportation accidents, including train collisions or derailments, public bus or school bus accidents, and injuries on ferries. We can provide guidance on the legal options available in these cases, and we can take steps to hold government agencies or other parties responsible for injuries that occurred due to negligence.

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 it is able to deliver its passengers to their destinations in a safe and timely manner. However, Metro-North train accidents and derailments can occur, and these incidents can result in injuries and, in some cases, wrongful death. The causes of train accidents can vary from case to case, but they may include:

• Improperly switched lines
• Debris or power lines on train tracks
• Faulty equipment or improperly maintained tracks
• Fatigued operators or operators who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Excessive speeds
• Distracted operation of trains due to texting or the use of cell phones or other electronic devices

The injuries that can occur in train accidents can be extensive due to the large number of passengers and the damage that can occur when a train collides with a vehicle or comes off the tracks. In many cases, an inadequate number of seats can put passengers at risk of serious harm in accidents.

Connecticut Statewide Bus System Accidents and School Transportation Accidents

In Connecticut, millions of passenger trips take place on public buses each year. With so many people riding buses and an ever-increasing amount of traffic, bus accidents are more common than train accidents or derailments.

Service providers in Connecticut include the Connecticut Statewide Bus System, which provides public bus transportation throughout the state of Connecticut, and the Greater Bridgeport Transit System, which 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 or major bus companies such as First Student Bus Company.

Bus accidents may be caused by issues such as:

• Falling asleep at the wheel
• Driving at excessive speeds
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence
• Unsafe operation of a bus, such as switching lanes abruptly or not making proper or complete stops
• Not driving cautiously during dangerous weather conditions, such as floods or winter storms

Ferry Accidents

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 a ferry
• Collisions with other boats or objects
• Hitting a dock at a rapid rate of speed or not docking properly
• Failure to secure vehicles properly
• Operating a ferry while under the influence
• Failure to use caution during severe weather conditions

Other Injuries Involving Public Transportation

In addition to train derailments, bus accidents, and ferry accidents, people may suffer injuries prior to boarding a Metro-North train, a Bridgeport public bus, or a Bridgeport to Port Jefferson ferry. These accidents may be caused by issues such as:

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

Contact Our Bridgeport Bus, Train, and Ferry Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident involving a bus, train, or ferry that was public or privately owned, the lawyers at Tremont Sheldon P.C. can help you determine how to proceed as you take steps to address the injuries you have suffered. We can provide guidance on the legal options available to you, and we will work to hold public transit companies or other parties responsible for their failure to protect your safety. Contact our Bridgeport, CT public transportation injury attorneys at 203-335-5145 to schedule a free consultation.