Our Las Vegas, Nevada personal injury attorneys understand that it is possible to get hurt just about anywhere in our city. Even when commuting for work using mass transit, or traveling for entertainment using public transportation.
According to the Nevada Department of Transportation, RTC Transit buses transport approximately 66 million riders each month, which does not include the massive number of riders who use Nevada Taxicab Authority vehicles or rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft.
Clark County has seemingly endless transit options, and our residents should not only feel safe when using each but remain safe from pick-up to drop off. When negligence, unsafe conditions, or collisions cause injuries, our law firm provides solutions for holding the person or party responsible for our client’s financial recovery.
How Do Mass Transit Personal Injuries Occur?
Personal injuries can occur when an individual is riding in or is involved in a collision with a mass transit vehicle.
Those vehicles can include:
- Buses, including:
- o Public
- o Educational
- o Private carriers
- Taxis, including:
- o Limousines
- o Shuttles
- Airplanes and helicopters when a ticket is purchased for use
- Trains and trams of any type that carry passengers
Injuries can occur when an improperly trained or unlicensed driver is operating the vehicle, or when negligence occurs during its operation. This can include speeding, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and failure to obey traffic laws, among others.
Mass Transit and the Standard of Care Rule
Regulations and licensing for common carriers require a “standard of care” rule to apply to the operation of mass transit vehicles.
The standard of care can include, but is not limited to:
- Ensuring that properly trained professionals are operating the vehicles at all times
- Keeping passengers reasonably safe through proper vehicle maintenance procedures
- Accessing safety equipment at all times
- Keeping all entrance and exit clutter free for continued safety
- Providing security measures when and where it is necessary
While these are some of the standards, it is important to understand that there are many common carrier laws that apply to mass transit in the State of Nevada, and each varies based on the type of mass transit that is being used when the personal injury occurs.
Public and Private Carriers Place Different Limits on Damages
It is also important to understand that some of the laws that pertain to public, government-run transit are stricter than those for private carriers. In addition, so could be the limits an injury victim can pursue after they have been hurt riding in, or with, a public or private carrier.
There is a two-year statute of limitations law in Nevada for personal injuries that occur using both types of carriers.
If you have been injured on a bus, in a taxi, or while riding in an Uber or Lyft vehicle, contact our Las Vegas, Nevada personal injury lawyers at Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen today at (702) 505-8115 to learn about the legal limits of financial pursuit, and how we can guide you through the process of seeking the best outcome available for your unique case.