NYC Personal Injury Lawyer » Subway Accidents

Queens Subway Accident Lawyer

NOTE: Our law firm does not handle Subway Accident cases. This article is for informational purposes only. Information found in the article does not constitute as formal legal advice and does not create an attorney/client relationship.

Were you or a loved one injured in a subway accident in Queens, NY? You may be entitled to seek damages for medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering. A trusted Queens subway accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to maximize your settlement or verdict. 

We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of accident victims since we opened our doors. Our team is well-equipped to help you get the money you need and deserve.

You only have a limited amount of time to take legal action after a subway accident. Get started by calling our law offices in Queens, New York at (212) 564 2800 to schedule a free consultation, contact us today.

How the Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel, LLC Can Help After a Subway Accident in Queens

Subway accident claims are notoriously complex. While you struggle with painful injuries, you may also have to face off against the MTA or another government agency. That can be overwhelming even on the best of days. 

Hiring an experienced Queens personal injury lawyer can mean the difference between a full financial recovery–or walking away with nothing at all.

The Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel, LLC is an award-winning law firm with over 25 years of experience fighting to recover fair compensation for our clients. Our founding attorney is a National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100 Trial Lawyer and a member of the prestigious Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

You can count on us to handle every aspect of your case, including:

• Handling the investigation into the cause of your crash
• Demanding fair compensation from all responsible parties
• Hiring expert witnesses to back up your claim
• Negotiating with the defense attorneys and insurance companies on your behalf

It’s never too early to speak with a Queens personal injury attorney–and you don’t have to rely on attorney advertising alone. Give us a call today to schedule a convenient time to discuss your legal rights.

How Common Are Subway Accidents in Queens, NY?

On an average weekday, more than 5.4 million New Yorkers ride the subway. Accidents can and do happen on a regular basis.

Serious subway accidents remain common even though ridership is down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first half of 2021 alone, 23 people were killed in fatal subway accidents citywide. That doesn’t include those injured or killed because of violent criminal acts on the subway.

What is My Queens Subway Accident Case Worth?

The value of any personal injury claim depends on the specific facts of the case, including:

• The type of injury you sustained
• Your anticipated recovery time
• The cost of medical treatment and out-of-pocket expenses
• Your lost income 
• Any impact on your anticipated future earnings
• The mental trauma you’ve suffered

You’re already struggling with painful injuries. You don’t have to let the responsible party off the hook for damages. Let our Queens subway accident attorneys fight to recover the full compensation you deserve. We’re ready to get started, so call for a free case evaluation today.

What Types of Damages Are Available to Subway Accident Victims?

Never underestimate the cost of an injury. You could be entitled to more than just your medical bills and lost income. 

New York courts can award economic damages and non-economic damages in personal injury cases. 

Your economic damages are out-of-pocket expenses, including:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost income
• Diminished future earning capacity
• Rehabilitation 
• Medications 
• Property damage

A non-economic damages award recognizes that serious injuries also come with non-financial costs, such as:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Diminished quality of life
• Anxiety 
• Depression
• PTSD
• Disfigurement
• Scarring 
• Loss of consortium

Punitive damages are available in rare cases to punish the at-fault party for intentional or malicious acts. For example, if you were assaulted on the subway, your attacker could be on the hook for punitive damages.

Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Subway Accident in New York?

Any number of scenarios can cause a subway accident. Often, more than one party’s acts contribute to the accident. Under New York pure contributory negligence laws, victims aren’t barred from seeking damages if they share some blame.

That doesn’t mean shared fault is irrelevant. You could walk away with much less than you deserve if the insurance company can pin some of the blame on you. Under New York law, your compensation is reduced in proportion to your share of fault.

In other words, if you’re 30% liable, you can only recover 70% of your settlement or verdict.

We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Subway Accident Injuries

Any injury can take a toll on your life. Whether you were hurt waiting for your train or as a passenger, you deserve to be compensated if someone else’s negligence caused your injury.

Our lawyers in Queens are committed to fighting to recover compensation for all of your injuries–no matter how big or small. 

We regularly represent clients who have sustained:

• Broken bones
• Soft tissue damage
• Crush injuries
• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Head injuries
• Whiplash injuries
• Concussions
• Back injuries
• Organ damage
• Broken bones
• Facial injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Burns 
• Amputation injuries
• Paralysis
• Catastrophic injuries

Some subway accidents can be fatal. If you lost a loved one, call our wrongful death lawyers to explore your legal options today.

What Causes Most Subway Accidents in Queens, New York?

At the Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel, LLC, we handle all types of subway accident cases in Queens, NY. 

Some of the most common causes of subway accidents include:

• Inexperienced subway train operators
• Mechanical failures
• Defective equipment
• Signal errors
• Damaged stairs, escalators, or elevators in the subway station
• Drunk driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs
• Distracted operators
• Worker fatigue
• Dangerous turns
• Lack of adequate protective guardrails
• Faulty brakes
• Negligent security
• Electrocution or electric shock
• Failure to maintain train tracks
• Failure to properly maintain or inspect the vehicle

You may have a valid personal injury claim if you were hurt while on the train or in the subway station. Call our law firm to discuss your case in detail today. Remember, your initial consultation is always completely free of charge–so don’t hesitate to get the legal advice you deserve.

We Handle All Types of Subway Accident Cases in Queens, NY

Regardless of how you were hurt, our lawyers are here to help. Call today if you’ve been injured because of a:

• Slip and fall accident
• Collision between two subway cars
• Fall onto the tracks
• Fall on the subway platform
• Problem with a gate, turnstile, subway door, or other subway equipment
• Violent act, assault, or sexual assault in a subway station or on the train

We handle all types of subway accident cases in New York City. Don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more about an attorney client relationship today.

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

Most subway accidents are preventable. In other words, they only occur because someone was careless or reckless. Negligence is the legal term for a failure to exercise reasonable caution under the circumstances. 

While it might not seem fair, the victim has the burden of proving why they were hurt and who was responsible. 

To successfully recover damages in a personal injury case that’s based on negligence, you must establish:

• The defendant owed you a legal duty of care
• A breach of duty
• The breach of duty caused your injuries
• The level of damages you sustained in the accident

Of course, you’ll also have to identify the defendant–or defendants if multiple parties share responsibility. In a subway accident case, those parties may include:

• The subway operator
• Maintenance companies
• Inspection companies
• Manufacturers of defective equipment 
• Other passengers
• The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (the MTA)
• The Long Island Railroad
• The New York City Transit Authority

The sooner you reach out to our train accident attorneys, the sooner we can start our investigation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Subway Accident in New York?

Most personal injury victims in New York have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit under state law. If a private party was responsible for your subway accident, this three-year statute of limitations would apply.

Subway accident victims often have much less time to sue for damages. That’s because government agencies are often liable for accidents and injuries. You may only have a few months to take legal action and protect your rights.

For example, if the MTA was partly responsible, you must submit a personal injury claim form within 90 days of the accident. After you file a claim, the agency will investigate your accident. If they don’t settle, you’ll only have one year and 90 days from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit.

Contact a Queens Subway Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Were you hurt using the subway in Queens, NYC? Our lawyers at the Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel, LLC represent clients across all five boroughs. Call today to schedule a free case review with an experienced Queens subway accident lawyer.

This page is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to create an attorney client relationship.