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Watch Out For These 5 Dangers When Riding A Trolley In California

On Behalf of | Aug 31, 2018 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

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A whopping more than 40 million passengers ride trolleys in San Diego each year because it is a fun, convenient, and eco-friendly way to get around. One of the best things about riding a trolley in California is that it can help you avoid traffic and reach your destination faster than you would by car or bus.

It can be quite difficult to imagine a more harmless mode of transport than trolleys, and yet trolley accidents do happen. Even though trolleys travel at low speeds, stories of people in San Diego and all across California sustaining injuries in trolley accidents are not unheard of.

More often than not, if you have been injured while riding a trolley in San Diego, you will be entitled to recover damages by suing the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), which regulates local transportation in San Diego County.

5 dangers to watch out for when riding a trolley

Just because trolleys are traveling at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour on rails it does not mean that trolleys are free of dangers and hazards. We invited our San Diego train/trolley accident attorney from the Hiden, Rott & Oertle , LLP, to outline the most common dangers you must watch out for when riding a trolley in California.

Distracted trolley driver

A large percentage of trolley accidents happen due to a trolley operator’s fault. Carelessness and negligence on the part of the trolley driver are the most common causes of trolley accidents.

Because trolleys are traveling at a relatively low speed, many trolley operators cannot resist the temptation to check their phone, send texts, or talk on the phone while operating this seemingly harmless mode of transportation. Failure to stay alert and focus on the road are very common causes of accidents involving trolleys.

Distracted driving and carelessness are the top thing you must watch out for when riding a trolley. Make sure that the trolley operator keeps his or her eyes on the road at all times.

Trolley operator’s fault

But being distracted is not the only mistake trolley operators make that cause trolley accidents in San Diego and elsewhere in California. Our experienced trolley/train accident attorney in San Diego explains that it is not uncommon for trolley operators to violate traffic rules by speeding through the busy streets or running yellow and red lights instead of slowing down and yielding the right of way to pedestrians and other vehicles.

Defective trolleys and faulty equipment

Proper and adequate maintenance of trolleys and their equipment is required by law to prevent trolley accidents. However, those responsible for maintenance and inspection of trolleys often do a terrible job or cut corners, which can result in severe accidents and injuries. You have probably heard about trolley accidents caused by electrical connection malfunction or faulty brakes, haven’t you?

Defective tracks

Regardless of how properly maintained a trolley is, defective tracks can cause derailment. Faulty tracks can force a trolley to jump off its tracks and cause devastating accidents on its path.

Other vehicles

There are also trolley accidents in which neither the trolley driver nor anyone involved in the maintenance and inspection of trolleys, their equipment, and tracks are at fault. Sometimes, other vehicles can crash into trolleys or cause a collision by failing to yield to the trolley.

Each trolley accident is unique, which is why establishing liability to recover compensation can be a complicated experience. Let our San Diego trolley/train accident attorney from the Hiden, Rott & Oertle , LLP, give you a free consultation and help you recover damages in your case. Call at at our office or fill out this contact form today.

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