The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is a transit service funded by the DC, Virginia, and Maryland governments. The WMATA oversees both the rapid transit service known as the “Metro” under the Metrorail brand and a fixed-route bus service under the Metrobus brand. These services are protected from criminal activity by the WMATA’s police agency, the Metro Transit Police. This page provides you with information about accidents involving the WMATA transportation system. However, if you are injured in a rapid transit, Metrobus, or subway accident, it is important that you contact a Virginia, Maryland, or Washington DC personal injury attorney who is experienced in WMATA accidents to assist you in bringing your claim.
Significant Cases Related to WMATA
Metro Train Derailment
Millions of Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia residents use the Metro to commute to school, work, and social functions each day. The Metro usually runs smoothly and is able to deliver all its passengers to their destinations in a safe and timely manner. From time to time, however, WMATA accidents and derailments occur, often resulting in injuries and even sometimes death. The cause of such accidents varies from case to case, but may include the following:
- Improperly switched lines
- Faulty equipment
- Fatigue on the operator’s behalf
- Excessive speeds
The injuries sustained from such accidents are often extensive, due to the large number of passengers, the often inadequate number of seats, and the lack of safety restraining belts.
Metrobus Accidents
WMATA’s Metrobus service also provides city transportation to numerous residents of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC. Due to the amount of traffic in the DC Metro area, bus accidents are more common than Metro derailments and accidents. Bus accidents are often caused by the following:
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Driving at excessive speeds
- Drifting between lanes
- Improperly pulling over to the side of the road
- Switching lanes without first signaling properly
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Not driving cautiously enough in dangerous weather conditions
Other Injuries Involving the WMATA
In addition to derailments and bus accidents, injuries may also be sustained prior to entering the Metro or bus. Other injuries may be sustained from:
- Faulty elevator equipment
- Improperly maintained waiting areas
- Being struck by a bus while walking or riding one’s bicycle
WMATA’s Liability
If you are injured in an accident on a Metrobus or on the Metro rapid transit, the WMATA can be held liable. However, the WMATA is self-regulating and can conduct its own investigations regarding public transit accidents in the DC Metro area. Accordingly, it is very important that you retain an attorney to assist you if you have been injured in a WMATA accident. If you are in need of a Virginia, Maryland, or Washington DC personal injury attorney who is experienced in litigating matters against the WMATA, the attorneys at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P., are available to assist you in pursuing your claim. Contact our attorneys today for an initial consultation.
|
