Brooklyn MTA Injury Lawyer

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is the main company in charge of New York City transit. Through its buses and subways are owned by affiliate companies, the MTA operates perhaps the most extensive transportation network in the country. With thousands of buses, train cars, and other vehicles in operation at any given moment, and thousands of stops and stations under its control, there are many possible ways you could be injured in which the MTA might be responsible.

Most MTA accidents – as you will see throughout this article – are caused by negligence on the part of MTA employees. In such cases, it is easy to feel, anxious, overwhelmed, and hopeless. However, there are ways to hold the liable parties accountable for your losses and obtain compensation.

If you or a loved one was injured in a public transportation accident in NYC or on MTA property, contact the Brooklyn MTA injury lawyers at Sullivan and Galleshaw. Our attorneys offer free legal consultations to injury victims and their families. To schedule your free, confidential consultation, contact our law offices today at (718) 747-9706.

Types of Accidents on MTA Trains, Buses, and Subways

Whenever you use one of the MTA’s services for transportation, the last you’d expect is to be involved in an accident. Unfortunately, many people will suffer from injuries while on an MTA bus, train, or subway. Depending on the circumstances, you can suffer from a wide range of injuries that can affect your everyday life, including your ability to work. This can place you in a challenging financial situation, especially if you are your family’s sole provider.

There are dozens of ways that you could be injured taking public transportation. If any of these injuries occur because of something under the MTA’s control, our lawyers may be able to hold the MTA liable for the injuries you face. That could mean recovering financial compensation for the injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Some common types of MTA accidents include the following:

Slips and Falls

On train platforms, at subway stations, at bus stops, and even on the vehicles themselves, passengers can fall and suffer serious injuries. MTA property should be free of dangers like weak flooring, slippery surfaces, snow, and ice. If train operators and MTA crews fail to keep their property in good condition, you may slip or trip and fall, suffering severe injuries. These dangers can be even worse for older riders or people with disabilities who rely on the MTA to get around.

Many people tend to think that a slip and fall is less dangerous than other types of accidents. This may be true to a certain extent. However, a slip and fall can lead to a severe injury. Things like back injuries, spinal cord injuries, and head injuries are all common examples of severe injuries that can happen as a result of a slip and fall accident. If you suffered one these injuries – or any other type of injury – while on a Brooklyn MTA transportation service, our personal injury lawyers can help you.

Train, Bus, and Subway Crashes

MTA trains, buses, and subways are heavy, big vehicles. When they are involved in an accident or crash, their weight, size, and the forces present as a result of the accident can lead to devastating injuries and even death.

Bus accidents, train accidents, and subway crashes can all cause serious injuries. Hundreds of people may be packed into a single train, and dozens of riders may share a bus at any given time. If there is an accident, these riders are typically standing or sitting in seats that do not use seat belts. When a crash occurs, they may be thrown out of balance, which can increase their chances of hitting the floor, metal posts, doors, and other parts of an MTA transportation service vehicle.

MTA vehicle operators have an obligation to drive responsibly and make sure they can take their riders safely to their destination. Sadly, not every operator complies with this essential requirement, often endangering the passengers inside their vehicle. If you or a loved one was hurt in an MTA accident because of a negligent operator, our personal injury lawyers can hold the liable parties accountable for your losses.

Derailments

When people decide to get on an MTA subway, the last thing on their mind is whether they will suffer an accident such as a derailment. Generally, people expect MTA drivers and staff to keep them safe and provide a smooth ride from point A to point B. However, things can get out of control when a derailment occurs.

If a train or subway car comes off the tracks, riders can suffer serious injuries. These kinds of accidents may not be “crashes” in the traditional sense, since the car might not hit anything. Still, the sudden jolt of a derailment can knock riders to the floor or cause them to hit their heads against the walls or windows of the car.

In such cases, the MTA’s insurance company may try to make a low-ball settlement to escape liability down the road. It is extremely important to consult a personal injury attorney before accepting any offers from the liable parties to learn whether a settlement is the best course of action after being involved in an accident.

Crime

Criminal activity is not limited to a specific setting. A crime can happen at virtually any place and time. MTA transportation services are no exception to this sad reality. The MTA owes all their passengers a duty of care. This duty of care includes keeping them safe at all times and establishing safety measures in the event of a crime in one of their vehicles.

If you or a loved one were victims of crime on an MTA transportation service (bus, train, subway) due to poor lighting or a lack of emergency boxes, security cameras, or direct communication with law enforcement, they may be liable for your crime.

The duty of care owed to every passenger extends not only to the vehicle, but it also extends to platforms and other places associated with public transit. Our Brooklyn personal injury lawyers can help you obtain compensation from the liable parties and pursue justice in your name after a crime in an MTA transportation station or vehicle.

Claiming Compensation for MTA Injuries in Brooklyn

If you were injured on MTA property or while riding on the subway, bus, or train, you may be able to take the MTA to court for your injuries. When you file a lawsuit, you must first prove that the at-fault party caused the injuries before you can claim compensation. Then, you must prove the injuries you faced and the amount of compensation you are entitled to. Courts can order the at-fault party to pay damages if you are able to prove your claim against them.

The MTA owes each rider some level of protection from harm, since they are the owner of the property and vehicles involved. If their driver made an error that caused a crash, this is a clear example of negligence that might make the MTA liable for damages to victims.

If you suffered injuries that required medical care or missed work and caused you severe pain and suffering, you might be entitled to compensation for these damages. You can use evidence such as bills, bank statements, and pay stubs to prove many of these damages, but damages for pain and suffering may require you to testify about how the injuries affected your life.

Many victims may feel overwhelmed after experiencing an accident or being the target of a crime. They may not have a clear idea of what they should do to obtain the compensation they deserve. A skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help you fight against the MTA and get the compensation you are entitled.

As a plaintiff in a personal injury case, you will need to prove certain facts. This means you will need to show the court that all the elements of negligence are present in your case, which justifies the concession of a remedy or damages in your favor.

First, you will need to show, the defendant owed you a duty of care. An example of this is their duty to drive safely and follow established protocols. Second, you will need to show they breached their duty of care. For instance, you will need to show that the operator drove negligently, which caused the accident. Third, you will need to show that their breach of duty lead to your accident and subsequent injuries. This is also called causation or the linking nexus between the accident and your injuries. Finally, you will need to show you suffered damages or losses justifying compensation.

Call Our Brooklyn MTA Injury Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation

Nobody gets into a bus, train, or subway thinking they will get hurt. Unfortunately, many people are injured in MTA accidents every year in Brooklyn. In moments like these, it is difficult to get your life back on track, especially if you are not able to return to work and your medical bills keep piling up. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident involving MTA property or vehicles, call Sullivan and Galleshaw today. Our Brooklyn MTA injury attorneys represent victims and their families and will fight to get you compensation from the MTA for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To set up a free legal consultation regarding your case, call Sullivan and Galleshaw today at (718) 747-9706.