Common Carrier Accidents

San Francisco Bay Area Lawyer

Common carrier accidents: buses, BART, trains, taxis

A "common carrier" is defined as a commercial enterprise that holds itself out to the public as offering transportation of passengers or freight. If you've suffered a serious injury in a bus accident, or a crash involving a taxi, limousine, train, tram, the BART — even a chair lift — the law is designed to help you recover compensation for your loss. San Mateo attorney Reuben J. Donig has extensive experience in claims involving public transportation. If you would like Mr. Donig to review your case, please contact our office to arrange a free consultation.

A bus or taxi driver is obligated to avoid an accident

It may be easier to establish liability in a bus or taxi accident than in other motor vehicle accidents. Taxi drivers, bus drivers, and operators of other common carriers are, as professional drivers, held to a higher standard of care. Because of this, you don't have to prove that the accident was their fault, only that they could have avoided it if they were living up to that obligation.

Fleet insurance and other sources of compensation for injuries

Establishing responsibility on the part of the driver is the first step in recovering compensation. Equally important is finding resources to pay that obligation. All systems of public transportation, including San Francisco's famed trolley car system, commuter rail lines, and public buses, are required to carry fleet insurance to cover injury claims resulting from accidents. This insurance, along with your own health insurance, and possibly your auto insurance, work in combination to compensate you for your loss.

What is the value of your injury claim?

If you were seriously injured, or you lost a loved one in a bus accident or other public transportation disaster, it is important to have legal advice before accepting any insurance settlement offer for your personal injury or wrongful death claim. An experienced lawyer, with the help of appropriate experts, can establish the true value of a claim for a brain, neck, or back injury, or fractured bones. If you would like to speak with attorney Reuben J. Donig, please call 650.638.2336 or e-mail our San Mateo office to arrange a free consultation.

No attorney fees unless we get results

All cases at our firm are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we charge no attorney fees unless our client recovers compensation as a result of our efforts.

Reuben J. Donig
San Mateo, California, Car Accident Lawyer