Muni AccidentS IN san francisco

San Francisco Injury Lawyers > Muni Accidents

Every day, tens of thousands of San Francisco residents, visitors, and tourists ride a vehicle owned and operated by the San Francisco Municipal Railway (the “Muni”). Muni vehicles include buses, electric trolleys, cable cars, light rail vehicles (LRVs), and streetcars that are a vital part of getting around the City. Unfortunately, every day some nine people are injured in a Muni accident. Some of these are passengers on a Muni vehicle, and others are non-passenger third parties, such as other vehicles, motorcycles, bicyclists, or pedestrians.

The Muni has a legal obligation (“duty”) to ensure that its vehicles are in good working condition and that its drivers, operators, and other employees are properly qualified and trained so that the Muni vehicle is properly operated to ensure that accidents and resulting injuries and deaths do not occur.

In regard to its passengers, the Muni is considered a “common carrier.” As a common carrier, the Muni owes its passengers the duty to use the highest degree of safety (“due care”), and can be held liable for injuries resulting from even the slightest carelessness (“negligence”) of its drivers and operators. A passenger is defined by California law not only as a person who has paid the fare and is inside the Muni vehicle, but people who are in the process of getting on or off the Muni vehicle.

Common causes of Muni accidents are sudden stops and accelerations, following behind other vehicles too closely, not yielding the right-of-way to other vehicles or pedestrians, turning corners too sharply or at too great of speed, wire derailment, driver inattention, carelessness, or impairment, equipment failure, and improper maintenance of the Muni vehicle to ensure that it is safe for the streets and carrying passengers.

If you have been injured by a Muni vehicle—whether as a passenger or a third party—you should contact an experienced personal injury law firm as soon as possible. Because the Muni is owned by the City and County of San Francisco (CCSF), a claim for damages must be made with the appropriate government agency within six months of the accident, or you will lose your legal rights to seek compensation from CCSF for your injuries or your loved one’s death. An experienced personal injury law firm knows how and where to make the claim and will do so on your behalf to protect your rights.

It is also important to contact the law firm as soon as possible so that the law firm can begin its investigation into the cause of the accident, before evidence is lost or damage to the Muni vehicle or your vehicle is repaired. The law firm will also want to find and speak with witnesses to the accident as soon as possible while the events are still fresh in their minds. The law firm can also help to see to it that you get proper medical care for your physical and emotional injuries suffered as a result of the accident, and get you full compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, emotional anguish, property damage, and all of your other injuries and damages.

San Francisco Injury Lawyers > Muni Accidents

call now for a free consultation

888.222.8286

our areas of focus :

New!

INFORMATION CENTERS

TYPES OF INJURIES

Muni AccidentS IN san francisco