Light Rail & Streetcar Accidents: Your Legal Rights

Common light rail accidents include:

• Vehicle Collisions: Cars, trucks, and buses struck by light rail
• Pedestrian Accidents: People struck while crossing tracks
• Cyclist Accidents: Bike tires caught in tracks causing falls
• Passenger Injuries: Falls, door injuries, and sudden stops
• Platform Accidents: Falls, gaps, and overcrowding
• Derailments: Light rail leaving tracks

Light rail operating in mixed traffic creates special dangers:

• Quiet electric operation may not alert pedestrians
• Tracks embedded in streets trap bicycle tires
• Complex intersection patterns confuse drivers
• Limited maneuverability means trains can't avoid obstacles
• Inadequate crossing signals at some intersections

Transit authorities must account for these hazards in system design and operation.

Potentially liable parties include:

• Transit Authorities: For negligent operation, maintenance, or design
• Vehicle Manufacturers: For defective light rail cars
• Cities/Counties: For dangerous street design or signals
• Maintenance Contractors: For negligent track or vehicle maintenance
• Other Drivers: If their negligence contributed to the accident

Cyclists are particularly vulnerable around light rail:

• Track gaps can catch narrow bicycle tires
• Falls often cause serious injuries
• Claims may be viable if tracks lack proper filling or warnings
• Cities may be liable for dangerous track crossings

If you were injured when your bicycle wheel was caught in light rail tracks, you may have claims against the city or transit authority for failing to maintain safe street conditions.

Light rail systems are typically operated by government entities, requiring:

• Notice of Claim: File within strict deadlines (often 60-180 days)
• Specific Requirements: Include all required information
• Damage Caps: May limit recovery in some jurisdictions

Missing notice deadlines can bar your claim entirely. Consult an attorney immediately after any light rail accident.