Accidents in the subway are common. Occasionally trains collide or derail, resulting in victims suffering serious physical injuries. Such accidents make the front page of newspapers and headline the evening news. However, there are other types of accidents that are not widely publicized that leave victims with severe injuries. More common than a collision or derailment is the trip and fall accident where a victim falls on the subway staircase or platform. A fall down a concrete staircase or a concrete platform can result in the victim suffering a serious head injury, broken bones, neck injury, back injury or spinal cord injury. If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a subway accident, it is important that you immediately contact an experienced Suffolk County subway accident lawyer to learn more about how you can obtain just compensation for your injuries.
Common causes of subway accidentsNew York is a huge city and commuters rely on its subway system every day to move around. While most people feel that subway travel is safe, no form of transportation can boast a perfect safety record. Conductor error, equipment malfunction, and negligence can all lead to serious accidents that injure both passengers and workers. The New York Transit Authority may even be liable if he accident was caused by conductor error and it was determined that the conductor should not have been hired in the first place. This is known as negligent hiring.
In addition, accidents that take place on the subway platform or elsewhere in the subway station make up for a significant number of serious injuries. Trip and fall accident cases account for a high percentage of all subway accident cases. It is not uncommon for someone to slip on a stairway or trip on crack in a platform. Even debris caused by routine maintenance can cause someone to slip and fall. A wet or icy staircase are the types of hazards that could easily lead to a fall. Common causes of subway slip and fall accidents include:
As a subway accident attorney in Suffolk County will explain, depending on the facts of your case, if you are hurt in a subway accident due to another person's negligence you may be entitled a number of types of compensation.
It is important to note that when suing a government entity such as the New York City Transit Authority there are special rules that you must follow, and the time frame for filing a claim is limited. If you do not file your claim within 90 days of the accident, you claim will be denied regardless of its merit.
For example, a young man was walking on a subway platform when he slipped on a wet area on the platform and fell onto the tracks. The trainman saw the man on the tracks and slammed on the brakes. However, he was not able to stop into to avoid hitting the man. Paramedics were on the scene quickly and were able to get him to the hospital. While the man survived this horrific accident, the doctors were not able to safe his legs. Both of them were amputated. The filed a claim against the New York City Transit Authority. He intends to demand compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesSubway accident cases are extremely complicated and may involve governmental entities as well as private companies and private citizens. Furthermore there may be complex procedural rules and timelines that must be followed. To make sure that your case is properly handled it is critical that you are represented by attorneys with experience handling subway accident cases in Suffolk County where the government is involved. Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.