People generally use public transportation for many reasons, including economy, convenience, and reduced emissions. Companies and governments that operate our public transportation systems have a duty to ensure our safety when we ride buses, trains, planes, and taxis. We have a right to expect properly maintained escalators and elevators that are safe to use.

The law holds operators of public transportation systems to a higher standard of safety than drivers of private vehicles. You must know and understand specific rules and laws to recover losses if you’ve been injured while using public transportation. As a transportation lawyer knows, the courts process mass transit — or “common carrier” —  injury lawsuits under different rules than other negligence actions.

That’s why you need a public transportation lawyer who knows how to protect your interests.

Martinez Manglardi: Your Public Transportation Lawyer

Presumably, providers work hard to ensure that their transportation methods are safe and reliable. Still, many people are seriously injured each year either by or on public transportation.

If you or a member of your family has been injured in a public transportation accident of any kind, please contact a Florida public transportation attorney at Martinez Manglardi in Orlando, Kissimmee, Apopka, Palm Bay and Ocala today.

All of the partners of the firm are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States. We can help victims of public transportation accidents obtain financial compensation for the damages they have suffered. We serve the residents of Florida, including Orange County, Osceola County, Seminole County, Brevard County and all other counties throughout Florida.

Types of Public Transportation

Another name for  a public transportation provider is “common carrier.” Common carriers transport people or goods from one place to another for a specific fee. Examples of common carriers include:

• Planes
• Buses
• Ferries
• Taxis
• Trains
• Trolleys
• Elevators
• Escalators
• Movable walkways
• Airport shuttles

In fact, state and federal law requires common carriers to use the highest degree of care to ensure the safety of their passengers. Therefore, common carriers have a responsibility to operate with safety as a priority, to keep regular schedules, to pick up and discharge passengers at the proper destination and in a safe manner, to provide disabled and elderly seating, and to keep equipment in excellent working condition.

Common Causes of Public Transportation Accidents

Accidents involving public transportation can happen for many reasons. Some of the more common reasons include:

• Dangerous roadways
• Defective equipment
• Driver negligence
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Improper maintenance
• Inadequate safety measures
• Failure to follow federal and state regulations
• Reckless driving
• Weather conditions

More often than not, litigation involving public transportation accidents can be quite complex. Generally, there are often several victims as well as several potentially responsible parties. Furthermore, injuries involving municipalities or school districts can raise special issues. The public transportation lawyers at Martinez Manglardi have represented many clients who have been injured in public transportation crashes as well as clients who have lost a loved one in such a crash – wrongful death. After all, anyone injured in an accident involving a common carrier has the right to recover damages for their losses.

Our Florida public transportation attorneys are ready to evaluate your claim. Above all, Martinez Manglardi is on your side. We will help you make informed decisions about your accident claim. Accordingly, a team of professionals, including nurses, doctors, engineers and public transportation lawyers will handle your case. We offer free consultations in your home, at the hospital or in our offices.

There are no fees or costs unless we win.

Call 407-846-2240 with questions if you’ve had a public transportation accident in Orlando, Orange County, Kissimmee, Osceola County, Apopka, Seminole County, Palm Bay, Brevard County, Ocala or anywhere in Florida.