How may I Recover Compensation Following a New York Mass Transit Accident?

The MTA is responsible for getting a huge portion of New York鈥檚 population from one place to another. Whether you鈥檙e going to work, school, or just to get a bite to eat with your friends, if you鈥檙e in the city, there鈥檚 a good chance you will rely on the MTA. Unfortunately, buses and trains are not always safe. If you have been involved in a mass transit accident, there is a good chance the injuries you鈥檝e sustained are severe. If you find yourself in this situation, here are some of the questions you may have:

What most commonly causes train accidents?

Train accidents are terrifying, and if you have the misfortune of being on board at the time of impact, you are most likely seriously hurt. Here are some of the most common causes of train accidents:

  • Railroad employees failing to comply with orders
  • Railroad employees falling asleep
  • Railroad employees operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Driver excessively speeding
  • Failing to secure or release hand brakes
  • Using brakes improperly
  • Crew members receiving improper instructions
  • Improper alignment of railroad switches
  • Derailments

Train employers or manufacturers may also be held accountable for certain accidents by negligently tending to:

  • Worn out rails
  • Broken welds
  • Rusted or damaged tracks
  • Broken or dysfunctional switches
  • Cracks around bolt holes

What are the most common causes of bus accidents in New York?

Bus accidents are even more common than train accidents, and when a bus accident occurs, it will very often involve more than one other motorist. Thanks to their size, buses are harder to operate than a standard-sized car, so bus drivers must be even more careful. Here are some of the most common causes of bus accidents:

  • Bus drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Texting while driving
  • Driving while drowsy or fatigued
  • Eating or navigating directions while driving
  • Bus fires, augmented by lack of fire extinguisher, seatbelts, broken escape hatches or windows, and other negligent lack of necessary safety equipment
  • Sudden stops and starts
  • Discharging of passengers on unsafe or poorly maintained roadways
  • Large blind spots

How can I recover compensation?

In order to recover the compensation you need, the first thing you have to do is prove another party鈥檚 negligence by satisfying the burden of proof. This is a bit more challenging in a case where you are filing a lawsuit against the MTA. If you wish to do so, you must file your Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident. From there, you must file your claim within 1 year and 90 days of the accident. If you fail to comply, you may not recover compensation.

Contact our New York firm

At Mark L. Bodner, P.C., we are committed to guiding clients through each step of the medical malpractice claims process. Our firm understands how traumatic it can be when you become a victim of medical malpractice. We are prepared to fight on your behalf to help you recover a maximum compensation award. Contact our firm today.