Those who live and work in the five boroughs regularly rely on the train or subway to get where they need to go. While most people expect to ride on public transportation uneventfully, many types of train accidents can occur including slip and falls, trip and falls or even crashes and derailments. If you suffered injuries due to the negligence of the Metro Transit Authority (MTA), Long Island Railroad (LIRR), Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) train, New Jersey Transit, Metro-North or another public transportation agency while on a train, in the subway, or at a station, you may be entitled to compensation.
Train or Subway Car Slip & Falls or Trip and Falls
Slip and falls or trip and falls can cause severe pain, injuries, and permanent disability. They may occur at train and subway stations, on the platform, or inside the train. These types of incidents can occur as a result of poorly maintained property that can lead to dangerous conditions. Slip or trip and falls can also be caused by:
- Debris
- Broken or cracked floors
- Slippery floors
- Liquid or precipitation accumulation
- Leaks
- Misleveled or broken steps
- A wide gap between the platform and train
For liability to attach to a public transportation agency or authority in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident, the entity responsible for maintaining the property must have been negligent — this means that the MTA, LIRR, PATH, NJ Transit, Metro-North, or another agency or authority must have either 1) known about or created the hazardous condition; 2) failed to remedy or warn about it; and 3) you suffered injuries as a result.
If you can show that the responsible public transportation authority was negligent, you may be entitled to compensation in a personal injury action. You may be able to recover unreimbursed medical expenses, time lost from work, out-of-pocket costs related to medical treatment, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. In some cases, a court might award punitive damages.
Train Derailments & Crashes
Train and subway derailments and crashes can occur due to mechanical or signal malfunctions, excessive speed, maintenance failure, track defects, engineer distraction, and other human errors or equipment problems. Since trains and subway trains travel at very high speeds, crash or derailment accident injuries can be severe or even fatal.
Whether a train derails or crashes into another train, vehicle, or structure, these kinds of accidents can injure or kill numerous passengers. Common injuries that may arise due to a train crash include broken bones, concussions, fractures, internal bleeding, soft tissue injuries, and traumatic brain injury.
If you were injured in a train or subway crash, derailment, or collision, you may be entitled to recover your damages. If you lost a loved one, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death action. In such cases, the estate of the deceased person may be awarded compensation for economic damages such as medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost earnings. They may also be able to pursue a claim for the pain and suffering the deceased experienced prior to the time they died.
Contact a New York Train and Subway Accident Attorney
If you sustained injuries in a train or subway accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Commencing a lawsuit against a public transportation authority can be complicated and highly nuanced. Subway and train accident claims involve municipal entities and there are shorter statutes of limitation that must be met to pursue a personal injury action. It’s critical to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to avoid having your claim barred by failing to commence it in time. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. is experienced in handling claims against municipal entities and the NYC public transportation authorities and can help you obtain the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries.
The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has convenient office locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, as well as mobile locations serving Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Rockland County, Nassau County, and Suffolk County. Contact us today for a free consultation.