What to Do if You Get Injured on Public Transportation in Los Angeles

Los Angeles residents have several options available when it comes to traveling via public transportation, including the LA Metro, Metro Rail, Metro Link, and LADOT Commuter Express. If you get injured while using public transportation, either in an accident or a criminal assault, you need to take certain steps to protect your rights.

Address Any Injuries

Your first priority should always be to protect your safety and health. Check yourself for injuries after the incident, keeping in mind that you could have hidden or delayed symptoms. Even serious injuries such as brain trauma and spinal cord injuries can take time to become noticeable.

Get medical care immediately. This is critical not only for your health but also to prove your injuries and their connection to the public transportation accident. Keep careful records of your diagnoses, x-rays, tests and treatments.

Get a Police Report

Call 911 yourself if the bus driver, train conductor or other public transportation employee does not notify law enforcement about the incident. Request a copy of the police report. Be sure to give your statement and version of events in your own words to the authorities when they arrive at the scene.

Notify the Public Transportation Service 

You must report the accident or crime to the agency in charge of the bus or train right away. If you get hurt on the LA Metro, notify the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. An accident while on the LADOT Commuter Express or DASH will be reported to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. Give the authority the driver of the train or bus’s name, badge number, and vehicle information, if possible.

Gather Evidence

You may be entitled to financial compensation as the victim of a public transportation accident in Los Angeles. However, it will be up to you or your personal injury attorney to prove that the accused party (defendant) is to blame for your injuries. This requires evidence.

You can start building your injury claim from the beginning by gathering the following:

• Photos of the scene
• Video footage of the incident
• Onboard camera footage
• The vehicle’s black box information
• Statements from witnesses and fellow passengers
• An incident report
• Records from the public transportation service provider
• Your medical bills and treatment records
• Lost wage statements and other proof of losses

An attorney specialized in bus accidents or train accidents in Los Angeles will be able to investigate your case to preserve, gather and subpoena the correct evidence and documentation to support your claim.

Contact a Public Transportation Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles

Soon after you report the accident, you will be contacted by an insurance claims adjuster. Do not accept a quick settlement from the insurer. Initial settlement offers given to public transportation accident victims are often low. Instead of accepting or giving a recorded statement, consult with an attorney.

A lawyer will give you an accurate evaluation of how much your case is worth based on the severity of your injuries. Then, your lawyer can take over settlement negotiations for you to fight for fair compensation. A lawyer can also go up against a government entity in court in Los Angeles County, if necessary.

Initiate Your Claim Without Delay

Any type of civil lawsuit or legal action taken against a government entity in California must be initiated within no more than six months of the date of the accident. This is the statute of limitations on cases against the government under the Tort Claims Act. 

If you wait to file an injury claim in Los Angeles after a public transportation accident, you could miss your deadline and lose the right to recover financial compensation. For this reason, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible.