New York City Train Accident Lawyer

New York City Train Accident Lawyer Have you been injured in a train accident in NYC? Subway accidents involving derailments, collisions, slip and falls, and pedestrians struck by trains are more common than many realize. You may be entitled to compensation for the harm you have suffered, but you have a very limited amount of time to file a claim.

The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers has over 25 years of experience representing train accident injury victims in New York City, NY. Call our law office at (212) 564-2800 for a free consultation with a New York City train accident lawyer ready to help you.

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How the Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel, LLC Can Help You After a Train Accident in New York City

After a train accident, you may be left with an uncertain financial future and a long recovery ahead of you. Even worse, you have just a few months to file a claim against the NYCTA/MTA, a well-funded government agency with attorneys who will fight to limit your claim. You deserve an NYC personal injury attorney on your side.

The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel, LLC is prepared to level the playing field and fight on your behalf for full compensation. Attorney Jay S. Knispel is a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and has the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell “AV Preeminent” rating. Our legal team has recovered millions for clients just like you.

Here is what our law firm in New York City, New York, will do to help you:

Handle all communications, paperwork, and filings on your behalf
Build a strong evidence-based case after investigating your accident
Work with top experts to establish the cause of your accident and your damages
Protect you from unfair insurance company tactics
Negotiate a fair settlement offer
Take your case to court if necessary

Do not trust the MTA to make a fair offer for the injuries you have sustained. Contact our law office today for a free consultation with an experienced lawyer who will fight on your behalf.

How Common Are Train Accidents in New York City, NY?

Train derailments, collisions, and other accidents are not as common as car accidents. However, they happen more often than many realize. Nationwide, there are almost 2,000 train accidents every year, which cause hundreds of injuries.

The New York City Subway, operated by the New York City Transit Authority, is the world’s largest rapid transit system. It’s also one of the busiest in the world, with an average of 5.6 million daily rides on weekdays. Despite being a fairly safe mode of transit, subways have the highest rate of fatality among all forms of mass transit.

Between 1990 and 2003, there were 668 NYC subway-related deaths. Over 50% were suicides, and 47% were accidental.

In New York state, there were 94 train accidents in 2018 and 50 train accidents in 2020. There were 62 people killed on subway tracks in New York City in 2019, despite daily ridership dropping over 75% due to the pandemic.

Most train accidents and injuries in New York City involve the subway or the NYCTA. However, there are other train operators in NYC, including Amtrak. In 2017, Amtrak faced yet another high-profile train derailment when a train heading for New York left the track on a curve. Every year, more than 150 people are killed in accidents involving Amtrak trains.

Most people killed in train incidents aren’t train passengers. They are pedestrians on tracks, people who fall or jump onto tracks, and vehicle occupants struck by a train at a railroad crossing.

What is My New York Train Accident Case Worth?

It’s impossible to estimate the value of a personal injury case with a calculator or formula. The value of your case is highly dependent on the unique factors involved in your accident.

A NYC train accident lawyer will consider the severity of your injuries and how they will impact your future. The more severe and long-lasting your injuries or impairment, the more your case will be worth.

The best way to determine how much your case is worth is through a free consultation; contact the Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel, LLC today to discuss your case.

What Damages Can I Recover After a Train Accident?

You are entitled to compensation for the economic and non-economic damages you have suffered in your accident.

This may include:

Property damage
Current and future medical bills related to your accident
Lost wages for time you took off work
Diminished earning capacity
Personal losses like your pain, suffering, emotional distress, reduced quality of life, and mental anguish

If a government agency like the NYCTA was to blame, you have a very limited amount of time to pursue damages after a train accident. Contact a NYC train accident lawyer today to begin building your case.

We Will Fight for Full Compensation for All Your Train Accident Injuries

Some train accident injury victims are lucky to suffer no more than minor abrasions and bruises. However, many train accidents often result in catastrophic or fatal injuries to multiple passengers and pedestrians.

The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel, LLC represents victims who have suffered injuries such as:

Brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Amputations
Fractures
Burn injuries
Back injuries
Soft tissue injuries
Nerve damage
Internal organ damage
Chest injuries
Joint injuries
Wrongful death

Do not let the MTA or an insurance company minimize the severity of your injuries. Contact our law office today so we can fight for the fair compensation you need.

What Causes Most Train Accidents in New York City, New York?

Train accidents happen in many ways:

Train derailment. This happens when a train leaves the rail tracks.
Colliding trains. These are among the most serious accidents, but they are very rare.
Pedestrians hit by trains. Most train accident fatalities involve people who are struck by a train on the tracks. They may be walking along the train track, attempting to cross while a train approaches, or standing on the tracks at a subway station.
Traffic accidents involving trains. Many accidents happen when a motor vehicle is struck at a train crossing. This can happen when a vehicle stops on the tracks. In some cases, railroad crossing gates simply fail to lower or warn motorists that a train is approaching.
Slips and falls. Subway accidents can also involve slips and falls on a train or at a subway station.

After a train accident in New York City, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will generally conduct an investigation. Some subway accidents are only reviewed by the NYCTA.

Major causes of train accidents include:

Train operator error
Malfunctioning railroad crossing guards and warning light
Mechanical failure or defective train parts
Defective tracks or objects on the track
Excessive speed which is often a factor in derailments

Train accidents can occur for many reasons. Motorists and pedestrians may be at fault due to distraction, inadequate lookout, and error in judgment.

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Train Accident in New York?

After a NYC subway, you may have a case against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) or New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA). Under New York law, these common carriers owe a heightened duty to protect passengers from harm. They can be held liable when their negligence allows a passenger to be injured.

To pursue compensation after your train accident, you must show that the NYCTA failed to provide a safe environment and did not use proper care to prevent your accident. Train companies and operators like the MTA/NYCTA can be held liable for failing to maintain their stations, trains, or tracks in safe condition. They may also be held liable for the negligence of a train operator.

The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel, LLC will carefully investigate the circumstances of your accident to build your negligence case. We may use testimony from NYCTA/MTA employees, witness statements, photos and videos taken by other passengers, and surveillance footage to prove your case. We will also review the findings of the MTA and/or NTSB investigation and work with experts to strengthen your case.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Train Accident in New York?

The state of New York has a strict statute of limitations in train accident cases. If your claim is against a government entity like the NYCTA or MTA, you have just 90 days to file a Notice of Claim. If you miss this deadline, you will not be able to recover compensation from the MTA.

After the Notice of Claim is filed, the agency has 30 days to request a pre-lawsuit hearing and begin negotiations. You have one year plus 90 days from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit to pursue further legal action.

The standard statute of limitations for personal injury cases in New York is three years. This deadline applies to injury claims against non-government entities responsible for your accident.

Contact a New York City Train Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

The MTA is well-funded and motivated to defend itself against claims. After a train accident, you deserve an experienced New York City train accident lawyer ready to go up against the government to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call the Law Office of Jay S. Knispel, LLC today for a free consultation to discuss your case. You pay nothing out-of-pocket for the legal representation you deserve.

Our personal injury law firm in NY, NY also provides:

Visit Our Law Office In New York City, NY

450 7th Ave #1605, New York, NY 10123
(212) 564-2800
(516) 715-5944