Millions of people live in New York City. There are also individuals who live outside the city who commute in on a daily basis. Many of these people use mass transit systems on a daily basis to get to where they need to be. New York offers buses, trains, and subways for people to travel throughout the city and outside of it. Unfortunately, mass transit accidents can happen. If a transit administration does not take care of their vehicles and provide safe conditions for their travelers, it is possible for accidents to happen and severely injure passengers. If standards are not met, operators and drivers may be held liable for any injuries that are sustained as a result. It is crucial to contact an experienced attorney if you have been injured in a mass transit accident.
Causes of Injuries
New York鈥檚 Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is responsible for ensuring safe travels for all of their transit riders. In order to do so, they are required to conduct routine inspections of the vehicles and their waiting areas. This is so that operators can find any possible defective parts or mechanical issues before they could cause an accident. If these inspections are not done, the issues could be left unresolved and possibly injure people. Mass transit drivers are also required to pay attention and be fully competent while they are handling a vehicle. If they fail to do so, they could cause an accident due to negligence. There are many dangerous factors in mass transit accidents. This may include:
- Derailments
- Faulty equipment
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Drowsy driving
- Driver/technician negligence
- Poorly maintained waiting areas
- Slip and falls
- Product malfunction
Negligence
Municipalities provide commuters with mass transit opportunities so that they may travel safely. Because of this, they may be responsible for any accidents that may happen due to negligence. If the MTA or a driver does not provide a certain standard of care, such as doing inspections or driving safely, they can be held liable for their failure to do so. Injured individuals who wish to hold another party responsible for their injuries must satisfy the burden of proof. The burden of proof requires them to prove the injuries sustained were a direct result of the party鈥檚 negligence.
If the individual is successful in doing so, they may be able to recover damages for their injury. These damages may be financial and nonfinancial. Examples may include damages for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Statute of Limitations
If an individual is successful in proving another party is responsible for their injury, they may be able to recover compensation. This compensation can be financial and nonfinancial. It may cover medical expenses, lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
It is important to know that in New York, an injured person is given a limited window of time to file a claim against another party to receive these damages. In a typical personal injury case, a person is given 3 years to file a lawsuit against another responsible party. However, if the claim is being filed against a municipality, the injured person only has 1 year to file.
Contact our Firm
If you have been injured in a mass transit accident and wish to speak with an attorney, contact the Law Offices of Mark L. Bodner, P.C. today.
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.