CapMetro – short for the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority – is the main transportation provider for the Austin metropolitan area. It provides a variety of transportation methods and connections throughout Austin and downtown. Unfortunately, not all of these vehicles reach their destinations without incident. If you get hurt in a CapMetro accident, an Austin personal injury lawyer can help you seek justice.
Types of CapMetro Accidents
CapMetro offers multiple public transport services to the people of Austin. Accidents in the area that involve this transportation authority may include:
- MetroBus accidents
- MetroRail train accidents
- Railroad crossing collisions
- Paratransit accidents
- MetroRideShare accidents
- MetroAccess van accidents
- Shuttle accidents
- Bicycle and pedestrian collisions
CapMetro traffic accidents can involve other vehicles and individuals outside of the bus, but they may also describe onboard accidents, such as a trip and fall accident on a public bus.
Common Injuries From Public Transportation Accidents
Victims involved in CapMetro accidents in Austin may sustain serious injuries due to a lack of safety equipment protecting occupants from harm on a bus or train, such as seat belts and airbags. They may suffer severe injuries from collisions with other passengers or objects inside of the vehicle.
Common injuries include:
- Amputations
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Bruising and contusions
- Burn injuries
- Concussions
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal organ damage
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Wrongful death
It is crucial for anyone who is involved in a CapMetro accident in Austin to seek immediate medical treatment. Prompt injury diagnosis and care are vital for the victim’s health as well as to establish and strengthen an injury claim.
Steps to Take After a CapMetro Accident in Austin
After an accident on a CapMetro vehicle, remain calm and check yourself for injuries. If you are seriously hurt, call 911 to request paramedics. The operator of the vehicle is responsible for reporting the incident to the police. When officers arrive, make sure your statement gets put on the record.
While you are still at the scene of the accident, exchange information with everyone else involved. Write down the name of the driver and any other passengers on the bus, train, or shuttle. Take photographs of the crash scene and your injuries. After seeking medical care, contact CapMetro to report the accident and file an insurance claim.
Maximize Your Recovery With Help From an Austin CapMetro Accident Lawyer
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is a government entity. Unfortunately, this can make for a challenging accident claim. Claims against the government in Austin must be brought within just 45 days under a unique statute of limitations. In addition, CapMetro will have a team of attorneys in place to refute liability for the crash.
Hiring an attorney is the best way to ensure that your rights and interests are protected throughout your claim. An attorney knows how to go up against this public transit authority and its insurer to pursue maximum financial compensation for your losses. You can count on your attorney to handle the complicated legal process for you while you focus on healing.
If you were recently injured in an Austin CapMetro accident, help is available at FVF Law Firm. Contact us today to request a free consultation, where we will review your case and offer personalized legal advice at no cost. Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined personal injury law experience.