NYC Train Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been hurt in an NYC train accident, our personal injury lawyers at Meirowitz & Wasserberg can provide legal services and file a compensation claim on your behalf.
Content Written by: Samuel Meirowitz
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished NYC personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished NYC personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Quick Links
- Our Personal Injury Firm Handles New York City Train Accidents
- What are the common causes of train accidents in New York City?
- How can an attorney help me?
- New York City Train Accidents Cause Serious Injuries
- What kinds of compensation can I pursue after a train accident in New York?
- How do I know who is responsible for my NYC train accident?
- Have you been hurt in a train accident in New York City?
Train derailments or accidents can be frightening and leave you with mounting medical bills and possible emotional trauma after the accident. You have rights, and we can protect you. We represent clients across the greater NYC area, so call us whether you’re in Long Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Westchester, or Staten Island.
Our Personal Injury Firm Handles New York City Train Accidents
Taking a train is one of the most effective ways to travel in the Big Apple. When people think of train travel in NYC, they may not realize just how many options the metropolitan area offers.
From an easy commute on the Long Island Rail Road to a longer ride on Amtrak, trains can get you just about anywhere. Our legal team can handle all train crash cases, including those involving:
- Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) public transportation accidents
- Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) train accidents
- Amtrak accidents
- New Jersey Transit accidents
- Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) accidents
- Metro-North accidents
We also handle freight train accidents if you were involved in a car crash with a freight train or any type of commercial rail incident.
Call Meirowitz & Wasserberg today to speak with one of our qualified attorneys.
What are the common causes of train accidents in New York City?
Sadly, dozens of people are killed every year in NYC train collisions or derailments, and even more suffer serious injuries. Train accidents can have severe, life-changing consequences. With outcomes this dangerous, it’s important to know what causes train accidents.
Train accidents have many common causes, ranging from simple mistakes to careless behavior or negligence. Your legal team can determine the cause of your accident and who is responsible for your injuries.
Some factors that can contribute to a train derailment or accident are:
- Outdated or malfunctioning safety mechanisms
- Unreliable or worn-out tracks
- Elevated tracks, which can be riskier than those on the ground
- Train operators who are distracted or reckless
- Train operators who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Failure on the part of the transit authority to inspect and maintain trains and equipment
- Negligent hiring practices resulting in under-qualified operators
- Signal failure
- Mechanical failure of the train
- Trespassers on the rails or other prohibited areas
Finding the cause of a train accident is an important part of holding those responsible accountable for their negligence or oversight.
How can an attorney help me?
After a train derailment or accident, you’re likely scared and hurt. You’re probably not thinking about a lawyer right away. However, you may have high medical bills or need life-saving surgery or ongoing medical treatment to get back into shape. You may also have a damaged or destroyed vehicle.
When you incur damage that isn’t your fault, you shouldn’t be financially responsible for it. An experienced NYC train accident lawyer can help you get compensation for your injuries and other damages.
However, getting cash to pay your bills and compensate for your emotional trauma isn’t as simple as just saying please. You and your lawyer must build a case against the responsible party, whether it’s the train operator, the transit authority, or both.
Determining which party is responsible is the first step. The second is to ensure that your case is filed within the statute of limitations—the legal length of time you have to file a lawsuit after a train accident.
In New York, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit is three years from the date of the accident. However, the state has a limit of just 90 days to file a claim against a municipality, so it’s essential to act fast.
New York City Train Accidents Cause Serious Injuries
Any train accident can have catastrophic effects. You may be permanently disfigured or disabled. Your loved one may have been killed in the accident.
We can help you seek damages for any injuries sustained in a New York City train accident, including:
- Burns, lacerations, and contusions
- Soft tissue, ligament, and tendon damage
- Broken bones or fractures
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Back, neck, and spine injuries, or whiplash
- Lost limb or permanent scarring
- Partial or total paralysis
- Wrongful death of someone you love
Recovering from a train accident injury can take weeks or even months. Although no amount of money can heal your injuries or replace a lost loved one, your settlement can reduce your stress and make recovering easier.
What kinds of compensation can I pursue after a train accident in New York?
New York public transit authorities, train companies, manufacturers, and train operators have a duty of care to ensure their passengers travel safely to their destinations.
As common carriers, they have specific obligations to ensure that each train, track, and connection is in good working order, and that the operators are fully trained and completely present when operating the trains.
If you’ve been hurt due to negligence on the part of the train company, such as poor hiring practices or failure to properly maintain their equipment, then you may receive damages from the company. Or, the train operator may be held liable for your accident.
Damages from a personal injury case include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Monetary damages can consist of medical bills and hospital costs, while non-economic damages may include pain and suffering or compensation for a diminished quality of life.
Punitive damages are assessed against the train company or other entity, if liable, to deter them from engaging in negligent practices in the future.
How do I know who is responsible for my NYC train accident?
As per New York State law, any party who is negligent and causes an accident shoulders some of the responsibility for the incident. This includes the train operator, the company operating the rail line, the municipality responsible for maintaining proper warning signals, or even the train engine manufacturer if they made a defective or malfunctioning part or engine.
Even negligent third parties may be held responsible for the accident, such as the driver of a trespassing car or a pedestrian who may have caused the train to crash.
We gather evidence independently and will hold all responsible parties accountable. The legal team at Meirowitz & Wasserberg will fight for your rights from the initial filing to a court of law.
Have you been hurt in a train accident in New York City?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a train derailment or collision, you may be eligible to collect damages. Our personal injury law firm has a reputation for excellence in New York. As Super Lawyers Rising Stars, we assure you that your case is in good hands.
Our legal team has dozens of combined years of experience protecting plaintiffs in personal injury cases and fighting for your rights.
We offer a free consultation, so contact us today to schedule your time with a personal injury attorney.
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- New York Personal Injury
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