Hurt in a RIPTA Bus Accident? How a Rhode Island Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help

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A crash involving a RIPTA bus can leave you hurt, shaken, and unsure about what to do next. As Rhode Island’s main public transit system, RIPTA carries passengers across the state every day. When one of its buses crashes, multiple people can end up injured, and some of those injuries may be serious or even life-threatening.

A bus accident lawyer can investigate what happened, identify who may be responsible, and help you navigate the rules that apply to your claim.

Here is what to know after a RIPTA accident, including the steps to take, who may be responsible, how these claims differ from other auto accident claims, and how long you have to act.

What to Do After a RIPTA Bus Accident in Rhode Island

What you do immediately after a bus crash can affect both your health and your ability to get compensation for your injuries. If possible:

  • Get Medical Care: See a doctor even if you feel OK. Concussions, whiplash, and some internal injuries may not cause symptoms until hours or days later.
  • Report the Accident: Call the police and make sure the crash is documented.
  • Request the Police Report: Get a copy once it becomes available.
  • Take Photos: Photograph the scene, vehicles, visible injuries, and other details that may help show what happened. Record the RIPTA bus route or vehicle number if you can.
  • Get Witness Information: Ask other passengers and witnesses for their names and contact information.

Prompt medical care can protect your health and create a record of your injuries and treatment.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a RIPTA Bus Crash?

Responsibility for a bus accident does not always fall on one person or organization. Depending on the circumstances, potentially responsible parties could include:

  • RIPTA and its driver
  • Another driver who caused or contributed to the crash
  • A business entity responsible for maintaining or repairing the bus
  • A manufacturer of a defective vehicle or vehicle part

More than one party may share responsibility.

Rhode Island follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-20-4, sharing some fault for an accident does not prevent an injured person from recovering damages. Instead, any compensation is reduced by the injured person’s own percentage of fault.

This is why sorting out fault early matters. Evidence can show how the crash happened and identify the parties involved in your claim.

Common Injuries in RIPTA Bus Accidents

A bus’s size and weight can contribute to serious injuries in a collision. Passengers may also be standing, and most transit buses do not have passenger seat belts, leaving riders with little protection when a bus is struck or strikes another vehicle or object.

Typical bus accident injuries include:

Why RIPTA Claims Work Differently Than Other Accident Claims

A RIPTA accident claim is not necessarily handled the same way as a claim involving a crash between two privately owned vehicles.

Because RIPTA is self-insured, RIPTA handles claims involving the transit authority directly rather than through a private auto insurer.

Claims against government entities can also involve special procedural requirements and, depending on the circumstances, limits on damages under Rhode Island law. However, the Rhode Island Supreme Court has held that those limits do not apply to RIPTA’s bus service.

Because RIPTA claims can come with additional rules, talking with an experienced bus accident lawyer as soon as possible can help protect your claim.

Rhode Island and Massachusetts Follow Different Insurance Rules

Rhode Island is an at-fault, or “tort,” state, rather than a no-fault state. This means that if you are injured in an auto accident, you pursue a claim against the party responsible.

Massachusetts follows different rules and uses a no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) system. Bottaro Injury Lawyers serves clients in both Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts, and where your accident happened can affect which insurance rules apply.

Speaking to an injury lawyer can help you understand how insurance may apply in your situation, and at Bottaro Injury Lawyers, your initial consultation is always free.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim Against RIPTA?

Rhode Island generally gives an injured person three years to file a personal injury lawsuit under R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14. However, RIPTA claims may have additional requirements because RIPTA is a public agency. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you determine which rules and deadlines apply to your case.

It also pays to act quickly. Bus camera footage and other surveillance video may not be kept indefinitely, and witnesses’ memories can fade over time. A lawyer can help preserve key evidence and identify any additional requirements for your claim.

Talk to a Rhode Island Bus Accident Lawyer Today

Nobody should fight Goliath alone. If you were hurt in or by a RIPTA bus, you may be entitled to compensation. Let us fight for the money you deserve.

With our No Fee Guarantee®, you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case. Contact us for a free case review. You can call or text us 24/7.

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