Our NYC subway accident lawyers represent victims of public transportation accidents through the New York City area. The NYC subway system is operated by the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA), under the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). New York City Transit is the largest public transportation agency in the United States of America and among the largest in the world. Millions of people ride the subway each day and billions ride the subway annually. The NYCTA operates thousands of subway cars and hundreds of miles of track, along with hundreds of stations.
A person taking the subway has the right to expect that the NYCTA acts in a reasonable manner in providing a safe subway system for those persons lawfully using the system; this includes subway trains, stations and platforms. When a person is injured through the negligence and carelessness of the NYCTA in the performance of their legal duty, the injured person has the right to bring a claim against the NYCTA to recover compensation for any damages incurred as a result of the incident. Our subway accident lawyers help hold the NYCTA responsible for its negligence.
How Do Subway Accidents Occur?
There are numerous ways in which a person can be injured on a New York City subway train, platform or station. The most common ways in which an accident can occur include:
- Subway Operator Negligence
- Sudden Stops
- Closing Doors
- Subway Crashes Or Derailings
- Falls Onto Tracks
- Lack Of Safety Barriers Or Railings
- Subway Platform Defects
- Crowding/Poor Crowd Management
- Negligent Security
- Turnstile Injuries
- Electrocutions
- Broken Stairs Or Platforms
- Broken Escalators Or Elevators
- Broken Or Defective Equipment
- Slippery Floors
- Poor Lighting
- Hidden Debris
- Obstructed Warning Signs
- Negligent Maintenance
Subway accidents can result in catastrophic injuries, including brain trauma, spinal cord damage, paralysis, amputation, broken bones or complex fractures. In some cases, subway accidents can lead to death. When a passenger is injured or killed in an accident on a subway train or at a subway station, the NYCTA and any other responsible parties may be held legally accountable.
What Is A Notice Of Claim Requirement?
When an individual is injured in an accident involving a New York City subway, they may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the NYCTA. Lawsuits against the NYCTA, however, differ from those filed against normal citizens and insurance companies, as the NYCTA is considered a municipal subdivision of a municipality. Any type of government entity, such as a village, town, city or state is considered a “municipality.” Any agency, such as the NYCTA, that works for the municipality is considered a “municipal subdivision.” While injured individuals typically have up to 3 years to file a negligence lawsuit, the time constraints differ for claims against the NYCTA. When filing a claim against the NYCTA, injured individuals typically have to file a notice of claim within 90 days and bring a lawsuit within 1 year and 90 days.
Do Not Hesitate To Retain A Skilled NYC Subway Accident Lawyer
Due to time constraints, individuals looking to file a lawsuit against the NYCTA should retain an NYC subway accident attorney as soon as possible. In New York, the deadline to file a notice of claim after an accident is 90 days, while the statute of limitations is a year and 90 days. The subway accident lawyers at Queller, Fisher, Washor, Fuchs & Kool And The Law Office Of William A. Gallina, LLP have successfully represented countless individuals in lawsuits against the New York City Transit Authority. We handle all of our clients' claims in a timely manner to meet the necessary deadlines. Our attorneys will handle every aspect of the legal process, including filing the notice of claim, filing the lawsuit, interviewing witnesses, negotiating settlements where appropriate and pursuing maximum compensation in court.*