Las Vegas Attorney for Public Transit Injuries
Whether you are in town for a vacation, for a conference, or because you live there, Las Vegas has many public transit operations to move people around the city. From monorails to the Loop, there are many ways to get around the convention center and the Las Vegas Strip.
When accidents happen and riders get injured, it is important to understand your options for recovery. Our lawyers can take your case, file against the appropriate parties, and get you the compensation you need.
For a free case review, call the attorneys for public transit injuries in Las Vegas at Mitchell Rogers Injury Law at (702) 702-2622.
Can You Sue for an Injury on Public Transit in Las Vegas?
Lawsuits for public transit injuries depend on a few factors, but they are generally allowed:
Who Owns the Public Transportation?
Some “public” transit is merely open to the public but not actually owned by the government. In this case, the companies that own it are liable to riders for injuries, especially paying ticketholders.
However, some things are truly “public” and are part of the government. In this case, your right to sue them might be limited, along with the total damages you can claim.
Can You Sue the Government?
For the public transit systems owned by the government, lawsuits are handled under the Nevada Tort Claims Act.
The government can only be sued when it allows it, and negligence on public transit usually qualifies. However, damages are usually limited to $200,000 and cannot include punitive damages.
Additional filings for your claim are also required, but our attorneys for public transit injuries in Las Vegas can help with that.
If the “public transit” system is owned by a private entity, this usually does not apply.
Proving Fault
No matter who owns the public transportation system, you have to prove that they were at fault before you can sue them. In some cases, another at-fault party might actually be liable.
For example, if you were injured in a bus accident, you can only sue the bus company if their driver or some defect with the vehicle caused your injuries. If another driver hit your bus, your case might be filed against that driver instead.
Suing for Injuries on the Monorail in Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Monorail runs most of the length of the Vegas Strip from the SAHARA to the MGM Grand. This is a great route for transit along the Strip, but injuries may happen.
The Monorail can cause injuries from its closing doors, uneven gaps between the station platform and the car, or injuries during accidents and uneven rides.
The Monorail is operated by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). This is overseen by a government panel, but it is technically a private company. This means that lawsuits against the LVCVA or the Monorail should not face the additional hurdles and restrictions of suing the government.
Suing for Injuries on Buses in Las Vegas
The Deuce is the public transit bus operated by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). This is a public agency that oversees buses and paratransit throughout Las Vegas.
Since these buses are public, lawsuits against the RTC and The Deuce are usually handled under the Tort Claims Act, with restrictions on damages and procedures.
However, you can typically hold a bus driver or the bus company liable for any crash they cause. This is true whether you paid for a ticket or were injured by a Free Downtown Loop bus.
Suing for Accidents on Shuttles in Las Vegas
Many of the shuttles that hotels, resorts, and casinos use are owned and operated by the specific hotel, resort, or casino. The Las Vegas Convention Center might also operate its own shuttles.
Accidents on these shuttles can be handled like any other bus accident:
- If the bus driver or shuttle owners were at fault, you can sue the hotel that operates the shuttle.
- If someone else is liable, you can sue them.
- Shuttles owned by private companies face no restrictions from the Tort Claims Act.
Suing for Accidents on the Las Vegas Loop
The Las Vegas Loop is run by the Las Vegas Convention Center to transport guests and attendees around the Strip. This underground tunnel with Tesla cars as transportation can help visitors move around, but it has its own risks.
Inside the Loop, there is no interference from outside vehicles, meaning that crashes would be blamed on one of the drivers in the Loop. Currently, the Loop uses fully driver-operated cars, but if it moves to self-driving cars, accidents might be the vehicle manufacturer’s fault instead.
These drivers and vehicles and the Loop itself are all owned, hired, or operated by the Convention Center, so any lawsuits would likely be filed against this private company. However, use of the Loop is typically dependent on having a Convention Center badge, which might limit your liability for accidents at the Convention Center and its properties.
Suing for Limo Accidents in Las Vegas
Nothing says “Vegas” like a ride down the Strip in a limousine with your friends. However, many limos are not very safe, with owners and operators facing liability during crashes.
Generally, these vehicles are owned by private transportation companies, so there would be no restrictions on lawsuits. However, a crash might not be the limo driver’s fault, and a lawsuit would be filed against the at-fault driver who hit you.
However, limousines are notorious for having dangerous construction. Some are literally made from cars that are cut in half and reassembled with extensions. In these cases, the vehicles might not have been properly inspected and might not be safe in a crash.
If the unsafe construction contributed to the crash, the vehicle manufacturer or owner might be liable for some portion of your damages even if the limo driver did not cause the accident.
Call Our Public Transit Accident Lawyers in Las Vegas
If you were hurt in an accident, call the attorneys for public transit injuries in Las Vegas today at Mitchell Rogers Injury Law at (702) 702-2622.