In New York City, subways and trains carry millions of people to and from their destinations every day. As you could imagine, thousands of workers are involved in maintaining the extensive New York City subway and train systems, and for the most part, they do their best to keep passengers safe.
Unfortunately, sometimes accidents happen, and passengers or bystanders are injured. When an accident occurs because of human error or negligence on the part of the organization responsible for maintaining safety, the injured party may be eligible for compensation for their injuries.
What are Some of the most Common Subway Accidents?
When we think of subway accidents, most people think of high-speed train crashes. Although train crashes happen from time to time, they are very rare. Some of the more common injuries suffered on subways are the result of the following:
- Falls. Falls are the most common way to be injured on the subway. They can be caused by abrupt stops due to operator error, poor lighting, slippery floors, debris left out by workers, and malfunctioning escalators.
- Turnstile malfunctions. When turnstiles aren’t properly maintained, they can be dangerous.
- Doors. Poorly functioning doors that close too quickly can sometimes injure passengers trying to board or dismount.
- Bad wiring. Loose or exposed wires can cause electrocutions.
- Bad signaling at crossings. When tracks are not marked and lit properly, pedestrians can be hit by trains while crossing, or get stuck on a track.
- Fires. Fires are less common but when they happen in subways people can suffer from burns and smoke inhalation.
- Assault. When assault occurs in an area that is poorly lit or dangerous, it could be the fault of the New York City Transit Authority.
Determining who is at fault after an accident is not always easy. It’s helpful to have pictures of the accident scene and statements and contact information from witnesses. You should also contact an experienced subway accident attorney as quickly as possible after an accident occurs. You will only have 90 days to file your claim with the New York City Transit Authority.
Contact an Experienced Bronx Train Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one was injured in a New York train accident and it wasn’t your fault, you should speak with a qualified lawyer in the Bronx. At the Law Offices of Even W. Kohn, we have years of experience helping clients receive fair compensation for their injuries. Contact The Law Offices of Evan W. Kohn at 718-409-5500 today to schedule your free consultation with our transit accident lawyer, and get answers to your questions. Se habla español.