New Jersey Train Accident Attorney Near You
New Jersey Transit (NJT) is a public transportation system owned by the State of New Jersey that operates bus, light rail, and commuter rail services in New Jersey and New York. Although it safely transports about a million passengers per day, there are times when its transportation services are below proper safety standards. If you need guidance from a qualified New Jersey train accident attorney near you, understanding the legal options early can be urgent and critical. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident that directly or indirectly involved NJT, you might be eligible to maximize recovery of damages.
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Understanding Rail Claims with NJ Transit Scenarios
Injuries involving NJ Transit (NJT) don’t always happen inside the vehicle. While many incidents do occur on board a bus or train, accidents can also take place outside the vehicle, such as in collisions with motor vehicles, or due to slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall incidents at NJT stations, platforms, or near transit infrastructure. These accidents can lead to serious personal injury claims and potential liability on the part of NJ Transit or other entities.
Common situations that lead to NJ Transit accident claims include:
- Failure to slow down or stop at appropriate times.
- Crashes involving NJ Transit buses or trains and other vehicles at intersections or grade crossings.
- Passengers becoming trapped in train or bus doors, resulting in catastrophic injury.
- Sudden stops, derailments, or collisions that throw passengers inside the vehicle, causing trauma or physical harm.
If you’ve been injured in any of these scenarios (or another type of transit-related incident), you may be entitled to full compensation. It’s important to understand your rights and consider consulting a dedicated New Jersey train accident attorney familiar with NJ Transit tort claims, especially since mass transit accidents often involve complex legal procedures, governmental immunity, and strict deadlines.
Requesting an NJSP Accident Report
If your NJ Transit accident involved a motor vehicle and was responded to by the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), obtaining the official accident report is a key part of gathering evidence and building your case. This document provides critical evidence and can help support your rail claim for NJ Transit for damages.
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NJT Bus Accident Injuries Incurred in a Car Accident
Buses are large and heavy compared to most passenger cars, giving them a significant advantage. The impact is well-absorbed by the steel structure of the bus, thus protecting most of the occupants. However, this doesn’t bode well for the occupants of the smaller passenger cars, who often take the brunt of the impact.
How the impact affects those involved is often an issue when trying to determine the scope of the injuries and the damages in a car accident. At the Pearce Law Firm, Personal Injury and Accident Lawyers, P.C., we have decades of experience in handling cases against public transit departments and public bus companies when the negligence of their driver leads to injuries for their clients. Our aggressive representation and proven track record help protect rights and secure evidence for maximum compensation.
Three Dead in NJT Bus and Car Crash in Moorestown, NJ
An NJT bus and a sedan collided on Route 38 early Saturday morning, May 30, 2020, killing three. Police say that an NJT bus was turning left when a sedan crashed into the bus. All three occupants of the sedan, a male and two females, were declared dead at the scene.
The driver of the bus and a passenger were both taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Police say that it’s uncertain what caused the accident and that it is still under investigation.
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Can You Sue NJT for Injuries?
Many victims wonder if it’s even possible to sue the government if they are injured by one of their employees. New Jersey has a law protecting its employees from negligence-based lawsuits. However, the law also allows the victim to sue the government under certain circumstances.
Fortunately for accident victims, one of those circumstances is the negligence of a bus driver when it causes injuries to a victim of a collision. However, the same law creates certain notice requirements and other requirements that need to be met before a rail claim for NJ Transit can be made.
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You Must Act Quickly
New Jersey Transit is a public legal entity. Different procedures are involved in making personal injury claims against it as opposed to car insurance claims. New Jersey law does not allow for a personal injury lawsuit to be filed against NJT unless notice of a claim for personal injury is properly drafted and served within 90 days of the date of the accident. This notice requires the name and address of the plaintiff, date, place and description of how the accident occurred that gives rise to the claim asserted, a general description of the injury, damage or loss incurred, the name of the public entities or employees causing the injury, damage or loss and the amount of damages the plaintiff is claiming. While there are a few exceptions to this rule, a court could bar a lawsuit if you did not file the notice within 90 days. Unless you were a minor at the time of the accident, failure to file a notice within 90 days of the date of the occurrence could operate as a bar against you from proceeding further.
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The Holding Pattern
The law allows a government entity such as NJT a 6-month period of time to review the claim before a lawsuit can be filed. So, a plaintiff may be in a holding period for a while until NJT has the opportunity to investigate your claim over that 6-month period. After that, if there is no settlement, you’ll be permitted to file your personal injury lawsuit against NJT. There’s still plenty of time to fit the filing of your lawsuit into the 2-year statute of limitations.
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New Jersey Train Accident Lawyer Near You: Don’t Go It Alone
At The Pearce Law Firm, Personal Injury and Accident Lawyers, P.C., we have trial experience suing public entities like NJT in New Jersey and PennDOT in Pennsylvania. We know the laws and the requirements for each state and how to work with the system to get victims the fair compensation they deserve. Our compassionate team provides personalized attention and transparent communication throughout the discovery process. We also have SEPTA injury lawyers.
You need to contact a trusted New Jersey train accident lawyer near you before anything, and you need to do it in a hurry. There are deadlines that, if not met, can mean that the right to compensation may be forfeited. Don’t try to navigate the minefield on your own; rather, leave it to professionals who have the knowledge and experience.
Understanding Your Compensation: What Damages Can You Recover?
When you file a claim against NJ Transit, you may be entitled to recover various types of damages depending on the severity of your injuries and the impact on your life. Our successful attorneys work to calculate damages and document injuries thoroughly to ensure full compensation recovery.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are quantifiable financial losses resulting from your accident, including:
- Medical bill coverage for emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing care
- Lost wage recovery for time missed from work during recovery
- Lifetime care costs for permanent disabilities or catastrophic injury cases
- Property damage to your vehicle or personal belongings
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses such as:
- Pain and suffering damages for physical discomfort and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life and diminished quality of life
- Emotional trauma and psychological impact from the accident
Wrongful Death Claims
In tragic cases where a loved one dies in an NJ Transit accident, such as the fatal Moorestown crash described above, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim to recover wrongful death compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
Our Approach: How We Handle Your NJ Transit Claim
Negotiation and Litigation
We negotiate a settlement with NJ Transit and their claims adjuster to achieve settlement maximization. If the insurance company or government entity denies your claim or offers inadequate compensation, we’re prepared to challenge denial and take your case to trial. Our courtroom experience and insurance negotiation expertise help us overcome insurance company pushback and achieve claim denial reversal.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
In some cases, mediation or arbitration may provide a faster path to compensation. We can guide you through these alternative dispute resolution processes and help you make informed decisions about whether to settle or proceed to trial.
No Upfront Cost: Our Contingency Fee Structure
We understand that financial hardship impact from a transit accident can be overwhelming. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis with no upfront cost to you. Our no fee unless win policy means you pay nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for your injuries. This makes our services affordable for all accident victims, regardless of their financial situation.
Common Questions About NJ Transit Claims
How Much Is My Case Worth?
The value of your NJ Transit claim depends on multiple factors, including the severity of your injuries, the extent of medical treatment needs, your lost wages, and the impact on your quality of life. During your free consultation, we’ll review your case details and provide an honest assessment of potential compensation.
What If NJ Transit Denies My Claim?
If NJ Transit or their insurance carrier denies your claim, we can appeal decision and pursue litigation. Our attorneys have experience overcoming governmental immunity defenses and proving transit authority liability in court.
What If I Was Partially at Fault?
New Jersey follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you may still recover damages as long as you were less than 51% responsible. We conduct thorough comparative negligence analysis to determine how shared fault may affect your case.
Should I Talk to the Insurance Company?
We strongly advise against speaking with insurance adjusters or NJ Transit representatives before consulting with an attorney. Insurance companies often use recorded statements against claimants to minimize payouts. Let our experienced attorneys handle all communications to protect rights and avoid damaging your claim.
Do I Need to Go to Court?
Many NJ Transit claims are resolved through settlement negotiations without going to trial. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court and present your claim before a jury.
Why Choose The Pearce Law Firm?
Our firm stands out for several reasons:
- Experienced attorneys specializing in car accident cases
- Compassionate, knowledgeable legal representation
- Thorough investigation of accident details, handling evidence and police reports
- Proven ability to negotiate with insurance companies
- Dedicated to recovering compensation for injuries and damages
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Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Near You today
Don’t ignore the 90-day claim notice rule. You can arrange for a free consultation and case evaluation with us, and if we enter into an agreement to represent you in connection with the injuries that you suffered, we’ll professionally and promptly file your claim notice for you. If litigation is required, we’ll timely file and effectively litigate your personal injury lawsuit to its completion. Our certified attorneys will handle all aspects of your claim from initial investigation through final resolution. Contact us right away after being injured in any New Jersey Transit accident.
