People use different forms of transportation for different reasons, and one choice that’s been made for decades is the use of public transit buses for local commuting. These vehicles present an opportunity for affordable transportation that eliminates the need for many to drive, but unfortunately Tennessee public transit bus accidents can and do occur on a regular basis. When these situations arise, those who have been harmed need to seek the help of Nashville bus accident attorneys in order to determine how liability could attach to those responsible for the harm that resulted from a collision.
Nashville MTA Liability
When someone is injured in a Tennessee car accident that involves privately owned vehicles, that injured person generally proceeds directly to the filing of a Tennessee personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver if a settlement cannot be reached. However, when it comes to public transportation, there is an additional step that must be made before filing a lawsuit. This step involves the filing of a Notice of Claim with the Nashville MTA governmental entity that is responsible for the management of that Tennessee public bus line. The MTA then must reply either by accepting the proposed settlement amount or denying it, and if it’s denied the injured person can then proceed to civil court.
After the initial step has been taken and assuming that the claim has been denied, the next step for those who have been injured involves naming the proper defendants to the Tennessee personal injury lawsuit. While no two collisions are ever exactly the same, it’s common for the Nashville Mass Transit Authority that runs the bus line to be named as a defendant, and in some cases the individual driver or other drivers could be named as well. If the plaintiff’s case is successful and he or she is awarded damages that compensate for the losses suffered, those will generally be paid with funds held by the governmental entity that oversees this mode of transportation or a Tennessee insurance company.
Overall, holding the proper parties accountable for a Tennessee public transit bus accident can be complicated and can involve many steps. If you or someone you love has been injured in this manner, contact the Nashville bus accident lawyers at Michael D. Ponce & Associates today to schedule a free initial consultation.