Manhattan Train Accident Lawyer

Practice Areas

Trains and subways are essential to Manhattan’s infrastructure, transporting millions of passengers daily across and beyond the Five Boroughs. They provide a more affordable and practical alternative to driving and help reduce environmental emissions.

This may be why fewer than half of Manhattan households own a car.

However, trains and subways are not without risk. Subway trains alone account for dozens of fatalities and many more injuries each year.

You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one has been injured in a subway or train accident in Manhattan City. The Manhattan personal injury attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm are here to help you pursue it.

Identifying the responsible party in such complex and challenging cases requires a team of dedicated professionals. Our Manhattan Train Accident Lawyers are committed to protecting the rights of those injured in train accidents.

We tirelessly work to ensure you receive the appropriate compensation.

Why Choose Our Manhattan Train Accident Attorneys?

When you’ve been involved in a train accident in Manhattan, working with experienced train accident lawyers is important.

Here’s how our Manhattan Train Accident Attorneys can assist with your case:

Identifying the Liable Parties

Determining who is responsible for your injuries is the first step in any personal injury case. In a train accident, liability can fall on various parties, such as the train operator, manufacturer, government transit agencies, or other negligent entities.

Our team conducts a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties and ensure they are held accountable for the harm you’ve suffered.

Maximizing Your Compensation

You deserve compensation for the pain and suffering caused by a train accident. Additionally, you may face significant medical expenses and lost income due to time off work.

Our skilled, trained accident attorneys will review your case, calculate the full extent of your compensable losses, and fight to secure the maximum compensation you are entitled to.

Filing Your Claim

The timeframe to take legal action after a train accident can be limited, especially if a government agency is liable for your injuries. You might have only a few months to file a claim.

Our experienced lawyers will ensure your claim or lawsuit is filed quickly and accurately, protecting your right to compensation.

Negotiating a Settlement

Negotiating with insurance companies requires skill and experience to maximize your compensation. Our legal team has extensive experience in personal injury law and understands how to build a solid case to secure a fair settlement on your behalf.

Taking Your Case to Trial

While many personal injury claims are settled out of court, some cases may proceed to trial. If this happens, you need a seasoned litigator on your side.

Our train accident attorneys have extensive knowledge of the Manhattan legal system and will thoroughly prepare you for what to expect in court, advocating fiercely for your rights.

Choose the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm for experienced, dedicated legal representation after a train accident. Let us help you handle the complications of your case and secure the compensation you deserve.

Why Hire Our Manhattan Train Accident Law Firm?

Train accidents in Manhattan can have devastating impacts, altering lives instantly. Victims deserve proper compensation for their losses, whether the effects are temporary or permanent.

However, dealing with government transit officials or insurance firms alone can be daunting, leading many victims to accept less than they deserve. The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm’s professional Manhattan personal injury attorneys are here to help you throughout the legal procedure.

By choosing our firm, we will thoroughly assess the damages you may be entitled to and conduct an in-depth investigation to determine the causes of your accident. Our team will compile strong evidence to support your injury claim and engage medical, financial, and accident reconstruction experts to support your case.

Negotiating a fair settlement can be challenging, especially if your train accident received significant media attention, pressuring you to settle quickly. However, consulting with our expert Manhattan personal injury lawyers can significantly enhance your chances of obtaining full compensation without settling for less than you deserve.

How Do Train Accidents and Injuries Happen?

While train accidents aren’t as frequent as other types of city accidents, injuries can still occur due to negligence by individuals or authorities.

Common causes include:

Operator Negligence: Inattentiveness or errors by train operators.
Broken Escalators, Stairs, or Platforms: Malfunctioning infrastructure leading to falls and injuries.
Turnstile Injuries: Malfunctioning or improperly maintained turnstiles.
Closing Train Doors: Doors closing unexpectedly on passengers.
Sudden Starts or Stops: Abrupt movements causing passengers to lose balance.
Collisions Between Trains and Obstructions: Objects or debris on tracks leading to accidents.
Security Negligence: Lack of adequate security measures.
Electrical Issues: Exposed wires or electrical malfunctions.
Defective Train Parts: Faulty components causing accidents.
Insufficient Maintenance: Poor upkeep of trains and facilities.
Slippery Stairs or Platform Floors: Wet or greasy surfaces cause slips and falls.
Poor Lighting: Inadequate lighting increases the risk of accidents.
Lack of Warning Signs: Absence of signs alerting passengers to hazards.

Train derailments or brake failures are less common but equally dangerous causes. Our experienced, trained accident attorneys can thoroughly investigate your case to determine the exact cause of your accident and seek appropriate compensation for your injuries.

Claims to Pursue for a Train Accident Injury

If you were injured in a train accident, whether on the train, on the platform, at a railroad crossing, or inside the train station, you have the right to file a claim against the responsible party and seek compensation for your losses. Here are some key areas where you can demand compensation:

Medical Expenses: You can request payment for past and future medical expenses related to treating your injuries and any associated complications. For instance, a broken leg typically takes about six weeks to heal, followed by additional physical therapy. If complications such as infections arise, there will be extra medical bills for treating these issues.
Lost Wages: Serious injuries often result in missed work. The duration can vary from a few days to much longer periods. In severe cases, such as amputation or significant brain injury, the victim might be unable to return to work permanently. Therefore, you can seek compensation for lost income, including missed paychecks, used vacation and sick days, missed bonuses, promotions, and lost benefits.
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for pain and suffering aims to address the excruciating pain, permanent disfigurement, scarring, and emotional trauma that accompany severe injuries like brain trauma, amputations, and spinal cord injuries.
Determining Liability: Your claim may be against an individual, a government entity, or a private company that operates the train line. Each type of defendant has different rules and procedural timelines. It’s crucial to contact an experienced attorney promptly to ensure you don’t miss any critical deadlines.

Enlisting the assistance of an experienced attorney can help you better understand the complicated legal framework and increase your chances of receiving the compensation you are entitled to.

How Manhattan Train Accidents Happen?

A tragic incident recently occurred in lower Manhattan where a two-year-old boy died after being hit by a train at Fulton Station, one of MTA’s busiest stations, during the evening rush hour. Authorities reported that the child became separated from his mother in the crowded station and ended up in the path of a No. 2 train.

He was transported to New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead.

This accident highlights a growing number of incidents that have seriously injured or killed people on or around subway and commuter trains in Manhattan in recent years. In the most recent year for which data is available, nearly 900 injuries and fatalities occurred as a result of individuals getting too close to trains or falling onto train tracks in New York City.

These train-related injuries and fatalities can happen in various ways, often involving negligence:

Train Strikes: Many incidents involve a train striking or running over a victim. A study of New York City subway data over several years indicates that intentional acts of self-harm were the most common cause of train-related death and injury. However, one-third and one-half of these incidents were due to unintentional acts, such as falling from the platform. A small portion of train-related injuries and fatalities involved crimes, such as individuals being pushed onto the tracks.

No matter how a Manhattan train accident occurs, the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm team has the skill and resources to fight for victims to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.

Injuries Associated With Manhattan Train Incidents

When a victim is hit or run over by a train or injured on train tracks, the resulting injuries are often catastrophic and can be fatal. Some of the most common injuries associated with Manhattan train incidents include:

Blunt Trauma: This term describes injuries caused by the body being struck by a blunt object or surface, such as a train. Blunt trauma is the primary cause of death in most train accidents involving direct impact with a train. Common outcomes of blunt trauma include:
Lacerations to major blood vessels or the aorta
Lacerated or crushed organs
Crushed or severed spinal cord
Skull fractures

Each of these injuries is severe enough to cause death. When multiple conditions are present, the death is generally classified as due to blunt trauma.

Below-the-Knee Amputation: This type of injury occurs when a train cuts or crushes a victim’s leg, leading to an amputation either during the accident or as a result of emergency medical treatment. The challenges associated with below-the-knee amputation include:
Pain and immediate injury effects
Rehabilitation for upper body strength and muscle tone maintenance in the remaining limbs
Healing and preparation of the residual limb for a prosthetic
Common complications, such as wound infections, require additional surgeries and medical interventions
Psychological impact, often necessitating counseling to help the amputee adjust to significant lifestyle changes
Electrocutions and Burns: The third rail of the subway train carries 625 volts of electricity, enough to be lethal. An example of this is a 30-year-old skateboarder who died after being electrocuted while walking along subway tracks in Manhattan. The electric current also injured his friend, who tried to help. Electric shocks can cause:
Severe burns
Loss of consciousness
Muscle spasms
Difficulty breathing
Irregular heartbeat
Seizures

What Is the Statute of Limitations for the Manhattan Train Accident Case?

If you’ve been injured in a Manhattan train accident, it’s important to understand the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit. Generally, New York law grants accident victims three years to sue a negligent party.

However, this changes when dealing with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

The New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA), managed by the MTA, operates the city’s subway system. Legal action against the NYCTA means you are suing the City of New York, a government entity.

This requires adhering to specific procedures and deadlines.

In cases of train-related injuries due to negligence, you must serve a Notice of Claim to the city within 90 days of the accident. After filing, the City of New York has 30 days to request a hearing, where you will likely testify under oath.

Only then can you proceed with a lawsuit. For wrongful death cases, eligible family members have up to two years from the date of their loved one’s death to file a lawsuit.

Taking quick action after an accident is always advisable, but understanding these specific requirements is essential for pursuing compensation effectively.

Who Might Be Responsible for Your Manhattan Train Accident Injuries?

When determining responsibility for your injuries in a Manhattan train accident, it’s important to identify who should have taken steps to prevent the incident. Most train accidents are avoidable, and various parties might be held accountable.

While the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) operates the majority of trains in Manhattan, private carriers like Amtrak may also be involved. In addition to potentially suing the City of New York, you might consider the following parties as defendants in a train accident injury lawsuit:

Railroad Company

Railroad companies operating in New York have a legal duty to ensure the safe transportation of passengers and the protection of motorists, pedestrians, and others. If a railroad company fails in its hiring, safety, or training practices, it can be held fully or partially liable for damages from a train accident caused by negligence.

Train Conductor or Engineer

Train conductors oversee the train, while engineers operate it. Investigations often focus on the engineer after an accident because they monitor speed, air pressure, and other operational instruments. Engineers also control the throttle and air brakes.

If an engineer is impaired by alcohol, drugs, fatigue, or any other factor, it can lead to catastrophic consequences. Conductors, who primarily interact with passengers and crew, might also operate track switches and perform inspections.

Neglect in these duties can cause mechanical failures and accidents.

Train Manufacturer

If a train accident results from a defect in the train’s design or construction, the manufacturer can be held financially responsible for the injuries. Mechanical failures due to design flaws can lead to dangerous and sometimes fatal accidents.

Rail Construction or Maintenance Company

Companies responsible for building and maintaining subway and other train tracks in Manhattan must ensure their safety. They are required to conduct regular inspections and promptly address any issues.

Poor maintenance can cause derailments and other hazardous incidents.

Motorists or Pedestrians

The deadliest train accidents often occur at railroad crossings. In Manhattan, subways and commuter trains typically operate underground or on elevated tracks, reducing the risk to motorists and pedestrians. However, individuals on foot who jump in front of a train, play chicken, or engage in other risky behaviors can cause accidents and might be held accountable for resulting injuries.

If you have been injured in a train accident, it’s important to consult with a legal professional to determine the appropriate parties to hold accountable for your injuries.

Our Manhattan Train Accident Attorneys Partner With You to Secure Your Compensation!

You may be entitled to substantial compensation if you or a loved one have suffered injuries or experienced loss due to a Manhattan train accident.

The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm invites you to a no-commitment consultation to discuss your case today. At our Manhattan personal injury law firm, attorneys are compensated only when you are, meaning there’s no risk in reaching out to discuss your pedestrian accident claim.