For many New Yorkers, the subway is their main form of transportation. But, with all the hustle and bustle of the city, it is easy to overlook the potential dangers the subway poses. Unfortunately, people are injured while boarding, exiting, and riding the subway fairly often. If you have been injured in a subway accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation. Read on to learn more about subway accidents in New York and what to do if an injury occurs.
How do Subway Accidents Happen?
Unfortunately, there are a number of ways for a subway accident to occur. But, the majority of accidents are a result of:
- Trip and falls in the stations or on the platform
- Derailments
- Doors closing too soon
- Sudden stops
- Turnstyle injuries
- Operator negligence
- People being dragged under the trail
- Electrical injuries due to malfunctions
- Obstructed walkways
- Collisions
- Robberies and other criminal activity due to poor subway security
- Broken escalators
- Broken stairs or platforms
Proving Negligence
If you have been injured due to another party’s negligence, you will have to provide proof of this negligence. In order to do this, you should:
- Take pictures and videos at the scene of the accident
- If anyone saw your accident occur, ask for their contact information
- Be sure to seek medical attention right away- this will provide you with proof of the origin and extent of your injuries
How Long do I Have to File a Claim?
In New York, the statute of limitations for a personal injury accident is generally three years. But, this may be more complicated when it comes to a subway accident. This is because you will likely need to file a Notice of Claim. This notifies the government that a lawsuit is being brought against them. In the state of New York, injured parties are allowed 90 days from the date of the injury to file a Notice of Claim. Missing this deadline will likely mean you will be barred from taking legal action. This is a short timeframe and it is easy to let deadlines slip by when you are recovering from a serious injury. Contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible to avoid missing any important deadlines.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a subway accident, contact our firm today. We will fight for you to recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact our Firm
The Law Offices of George Poulos is an experienced Workers’ Compensation, personal injury, and Social Security Disability law firm with offices in Queens and the Bronx. We understand the implications of a serious accident, which is why we take pride in tenaciously representing our clients. If you require strong legal representation, contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation.