June 17th Downtown Baltimore Bus Crash Injures 17, 2 Sustaining Possible Life-Threatening Injuries

On a Saturday morning around 10:15 a.m., a collision unfolded involving an MTA CityLink Blue bus and two other cars, resulting in seventeen people sustaining injuries in the accident. According to reports from Baltimore Police, the incident began with the MTA bus colliding with a Lexus at the intersection of North Paca and West Mulberry Street before striking a Nissan and then finally crashing into a building in the 500 block of West Franklin Street. The crash’s severity prompted the Baltimore City Fire Department to classify the scene as a level 1 mass casualty incident. Two individuals are reported to have possibly sustained life-threatening injuries, according to Baltimore Police.

Depending on who is at fault, those injured in the crash may need to sue the drivers of the cars involved, and possibly the MTA bus. Bringing a claim against the drivers of the cars seems simple enough, but can you easily sue the MTA and their employees for your injuries? The answer is a resounding yes.

Bringing a Personal Injury Claim Against The MTA

The truth is, MTA workers are commonly negligent, resulting in the filing of thousands of claims against the administration each year. Becoming the victim of an MTA driver’s carelessness raises important questions about the legal implications for victims seeking compensation from the MTA.

The Maryland Tort Claims Act (MTCA) is a crucial legal framework when filing a lawsuit against the State. However, there are special rules when it comes to suing specifically the MTA, commonly called the MTA Tort Claims Act (MTATCA). The MTATCA establishes the conditions under which individuals can sue the state and its employees for personal injury. Under the MTATCA, victims are required to follow strict rules when filing their claim. Commonly, the steps can follow:

1. Mail, deliver, or fax, a letter to the MTA stating why you believe an MTA worker did something wrong and why the MTA should be responsible for your injury. This communication needs to be sent to the MTA within one year of the date that your injury occurred. Missing this deadline may give the MTA’s attorneys a legal defense, resulting in your case being dismissed.
2. When you file the claim, the MTA should investigate your claim, just like an insurance company would.
3. When the MTA denies your claim, you must still file the lawsuit and serve the relevant documents according to the Maryland Rules.
4. Unlike the State or a local government such as Baltimore City, if you win your lawsuit against the MTA, there is not a limit on the amount that the MTA may be required to pay to you under the MTATCA. This is a big difference when it comes to winning a lawsuit against a non-MTA state employee or an employee of Baltimore City, where the most you can recover is $400,000. However, there may be other limitations on the number of damages you can receive, for example, a limitation on non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Set Up a Free Consultation with a Maryland Bus Accident Attorney

The attorneys of Furman | Honick have handled hundreds of cases suing the MTA. For more information on your rights after a crash with an MTA vehicle, please call Furman | Honick Law. You can reach our offices in Owings Mills or Baltimore, MD by calling (410) 844-6000 or visiting us online. We can set up a free case review to advise you on your legal remedies.

Sources: https://foxbaltimore.com/newsletter-daily/mass-transit-bus-crash-in-downtown-baltimore