While elevated single-rail trains may not be an especially common sight in the Silver State, various private enterprises and a few public ones operate monorails in metro areas like Las Vegas and Reno. Generally speaking, monorails are safe to ride and often entirely automated without any chance for human error to interrupt a trip—but neither computer systems nor people are perfect all the time, as you may have unfortunately just learned the hard way.
If you were injured because of a malfunction or because of human negligence while on or near a monorail, you should strongly consider reaching out to one of our auto attorneys at Shook & Stone. A dedicated Reno monorail accident lawyer from our team can provide the legal support you need to get full and fair financial restitution for the harm you have suffered.
Common Causes of Monorail Injuries
Compared to most other forms of public transportation, monorails are not especially powerful in terms of engine capacity and are rarely in situations where a derailment or collision is even physically possible. However, it is not uncommon for injuries to stem from other kinds of incidents involving these trains, such as:
- Fires onboard
- Electrocution from faulty or broken wiring
- Slips or trips and falls, both onboard trains and on boarding platforms
- Inadequate security to prevent criminal behavior by other passengers
- Pinching or crushing injuries from being caught between closing doors, or from falling between the train and the boarding platform
In Nevada, most monorails are privately operated as opposed to being part of public transit operations, but there are some notable exceptions—for example, the Las Vegas Monorail next to the Las Vegas Strip, which was privately owned until 2020 and was then sold to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Guidance from a knowledgeable Reno monorail injury attorney can be vital to determining exactly who was responsible for safely operating a particular monorail and what unique rules or restrictions may apply to a civil claim filed against them.
Recovering Fairly Within Filing Deadlines
A successful lawsuit or settlement demand over a monorail-related injury can seek restitution for both economic and non-economic consequences of that injury. On the economic side of things, this can mean seeking compensation for short-term and long-term medical bills and lost working capacity. Non-economic damages typically center around things like physical pain and psychological suffering.
No matter how badly you have been hurt or who specifically is to blame for your injury, though, Nevada Revised Statutes § 11.190(4) generally gives you a maximum of two years to file suit after initially sustaining harm. This can be a deceptively short amount of time to collect evidence and build a comprehensive claim, so contacting a monorail accident lawyer in Reno sooner rather than later can be vital to protecting your rights.
Contact a Reno Monorail Accident Attorney for Help
Just like most other forms of train transportation, monorails are typically safe for everyone who rides one—and just like all other forms of transportation, “typically safe” is certainly not the same as “always safe.” Even worse, the fact that monorails are such rare sights in Nevada and throughout the United States can make the process of filing suit over an injury on one uniquely complicated, especially if you try to go through that process alone.
Representation from a knowledgeable Reno monorail accident lawyer can make a huge difference in how effectively you can demand the compensation you need. Call Shook & Stone today to set up a consultation.
