Although Los Angeles is known for its car culture, millions of residents and visitors rely on public transportation to navigate the city. Metro stations, bus stops, and light rail platforms are often congested with pedestrians. Certain areas pose greater risks than others. For example, the intersection of Alameda Street and Cesar Chavez Boulevard, near Union Station, is among the most hazardous for pedestrians due to the convergence of heavy vehicle traffic in a confined area.
A Los Angeles pedestrian accident attorney at Salamati Law can investigate your claim and determine who may be liable for your damages. We offer zealous, results-oriented legal representation if you’ve been harmed due to the negligence of another party at a transit hub. We’ll protect your rights and fight for you to receive the maximum compensation. Schedule a free consultation today about your pedestrian bus accident, pedestrian train accident, or other incidents near public transit hubs.
Why Pedestrian Accidents Happen So Frequently Near Transit Hubs
Busy transportation centers, such as train stations, bus depots, and metro platforms, are designed to efficiently move large numbers of people and vehicles in tight spaces. Unfortunately, that also makes them hotspots for pedestrian accidents.
Here are some common reasons why these are often dangerous locations for those on foot:
- Crowded Walkways: Sidewalks, platforms, and crosswalks near transit hubs are often crowded with people, increasing the risk of someone being bumped, tripped, or pushed into traffic.
- Trains and Tracks Without Enough Warning: Light rail trains and commuter trains may pass through at street level with limited warning signs or signals, putting pedestrians at risk, especially if they’re unfamiliar with the area.
- Bad Signal Timing: Traffic lights and crosswalk signals may not provide people with enough time to safely cross busy intersections before vehicles begin to move again.
- Distracted Drivers and Operators: Bus drivers, train operators, taxi drivers, and rideshare drivers may be focused on navigating tight spaces or picking up passengers — and not see a pedestrian in time.
- Too Many Vehicles in One Space: Transit hubs often have buses, trains, cars, bikes, and scooters all moving through the same area, increasing the chance of a collision with a pedestrian.
- Poor Design or Maintenance: Missing signs, broken crosswalk signals, inadequate lighting, or worn-out paint markings can make it hard for pedestrians to know where it’s safe to walk, or for drivers to see them.
- Platform Gaps and Unsafe Boarding Areas: Some light rail and train platforms have wide gaps, uneven surfaces, or lack guardrails, increasing the risk of falls and other injuries while boarding or exiting.
Statute of Limitations
In California, the statute of limitations for filing a pedestrian accident claim is generally two years from the accident date. However, if the accident involved a city bus or occurred on public property, the deadline for filing a Notice of Claim is only six months.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
When an accident occurs in metro stations, bus terminals, and light rail crossings, several parties may share liability:
- Public Transit Agencies: Agencies such as the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), as well as local systems like Santa Monica Big Blue Bus or Long Beach Transit, may be held liable if a pedestrian is struck by a bus, train, or shuttle they operate, especially when safety protocols were ignored.
- Transit Operators and Drivers: Bus drivers, light rail operators, or train engineers may be individually liable if they acted negligently, for example, by failing to yield, speeding, or disregarding pedestrian right-of-way indicators such as walk signals or marked crosswalks.
- Private Transportation Contractors: Public agencies sometimes contract operations to private companies such as MV Transportation, Keolis, or First Transit. These contractors may be liable if negligence in hiring, training, supervision, or vehicle maintenance contributed to the accident.
- Government Agencies (City or County): Local governments may be responsible for unsafe infrastructure near transit hubs, including defective traffic signals, poor lighting, inadequate signage, or dangerous intersection design. As noted above, claims against public entities are subject to the California Government Claims Act, which requires a formal notice within six months of the incident.
- Rideshare or Taxi Companies: In crowded transit hubs like Union Station, rideshare and taxi drivers may be at fault if they stop illegally, drive distracted, or fail to yield to pedestrians in marked zones.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident at a Metro Hub
As noted, transit hubs are high-traffic, often chaotic areas where pedestrian accidents are common. If you’re struck by a vehicle near a metro station, bus stop, or similar location, taking the following steps can help protect your health and preserve your legal claim:
- Call 911 or Ensure Someone Does: Immediate medical attention is critical, and a police report creates an official record. These areas are usually crowded, so bystanders may call for help if you’re unable to.
- Get Medical Care Right Away: Even if you feel stable, some serious injuries, such as internal bleeding or concussions, may not show symptoms immediately. Medical documentation also links your injuries to the accident.
- Preserve Evidence at the Scene: If physically able, take photos of the surrounding area, traffic signals, crosswalks, the vehicle involved, and any relevant hazards. If you can’t, ask a witness or bystander to help.
- Identify Witnesses Quickly: Crowded areas mean multiple potential eyewitnesses. Collect their contact information and, if possible, ask them to briefly describe what they saw.
Finally, consult with an attorney as soon as possible. This is crucial in transit hubs, where surveillance footage may be overwritten quickly, and public entities may be involved. Prompt investigation strengthens your claim and preserves key evidence.
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you were seriously injured in a pedestrian accident near a public transit hub, you need the services of an experienced Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer at Salamati Law. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. Because we work on a contingency basis, you pay no fee unless you receive compensation.
