A Detroit streetcar crash on Nov. 30, 2023, involving an 88,000-pound QLINE streetcar and an Uber vehicle has left a passenger with severe injuries and mounting medical bills, prompting a legal battle over governmental immunity. The incident, which occurred on Woodward Avenue, has drawn attention because of the victim's month-long hospital stay, cervical spine fusion surgery, and inability to work, along with approximately $500,000 in medical expenses.
Lawrence Kajy, founder of Kajy Law Firm, PLLC, is representing the injured Detroit man in a lawsuit against the Regional Transit Authority (RTA), which oversees the QLINE. The case raises a critical question: when public transportation causes serious injury, what responsibility should the entity bear? "We filed this suit because he has $500,000 in medical bills and someone needs to pay for being at fault for this case," Kajy said.
Lead attorney Thomas Kerr has reviewed internal reports, including video of the crash, and described the incident as preventable. The RTA has claimed governmental immunity, a legal doctrine that can shield public agencies from liability. The court has not yet ruled on this issue, and the RTA has declined to comment due to pending litigation.
Kajy Law Firm argues that the case has broader implications for Detroit residents who rely on rideshare services, public transit, and shared corridors like Woodward Avenue. "This case is about accountability," the firm stated. "When a person is seriously injured, unable to return to work, and left with overwhelming medical bills, the focus should be on facts, responsibility, and making sure the injured person is not left behind."
The outcome could set a precedent for how governmental immunity is applied in transit-related accidents, affecting future claims involving public transportation. The firm continues to advocate for its client as the legal process unfolds.
