Where Can I Find the Best MTA Transportation Lawyer in NYC?

If you suffered injuries in a public transit accident, you could be entitled to compensation such as medical expenses, loss of wages, and more. However, suing New York City’s public transit can be more complex than filing other personal injury lawsuits. Victims usually have more formalities to fulfill and a much shorter timeframe for filing a suit.  

Having the best NYC MTA transportation lawyer in your corner can be crucial for getting what you deserve when taking on the government. Our attorneys can ensure that all your paperwork is filed correctly and on time and fight vigorously for maximum recovery. Contact us now to schedule a free case evaluation to determine whether you have a case against the MTA.  

Finding a NYC MTA Transportation Attorney

If you have a case against a government entity, such as the MTA, you need a personal injury lawyer who has experience handling cases similar to yours. A track record of handling lawsuits against the government can also be advantageous. Finding an attorney who ticks all the boxes may seem like an overwhelming and daunting task. However, with a few simple steps, you should be able to find excellent legal representation in no time.

Make a List of Potential Attorneys and Law Firms

First of all, you could ask family members, friends, and coworkers if they have worked with a good law firm or attorney before. Next, you can search online for personal injury attorneys near you. A simple Google search can reveal many potential law firms and attorneys in your area. Make a list with a few names and find out whether the attorneys offer free consultations so you can meet in person.  

Schedule Consultations With Potential NYC MTA Transportation Lawyers

Meeting your potential attorney allows you to assess their experience and, most importantly, get to know them personally. In the first consultation, make sure to quiz the attorney or legal team about their:

• Experience with suing government entities
• Track record of concluding injury cases successfully
• Experience with negotiating out-of-court settlements
• Trial wins

You may also wish to find out more about:

• Who in the firm will be handling your particular case
• How often and by which means you will communicate with your attorney
• Whether the law firm works on a contingency basis (no-win-no-fee)

While an attorney’s experience and track record can be crucially important for the outcome of your case, their personality can be an important factor too. If your prospective attorney seems motivated, experienced, and personable, you may have found your perfect match. On the other hand, if you feel that your questions are evaded, or your concerns are not taken seriously, you may want to keep looking. 

Morgan & Morgan Has Your Back

If you are looking for the best MTA transportation attorneys, Morgan & Morgan is here for you. With over 1,000 attorneys fighting for the rights of the injured all over the country, we are ready to file your MTA claim and see it through to the end. Get in touch now to find out for free if we could help you receive the compensation you deserve after getting hurt on NYC’s public transit system. 

MTA Facts and Figures

Functioning public transportation is crucially important for New York’s infrastructure, with residents and visitors heavily depending on it. Millions of people use the transport system every day. The MTA, short for “Metropolitan Transport Authority,” is the biggest public transit authority in the country with an annual ridership of 640 million individuals and no fewer than:

• 6400 subway cars
• 472 subway stations
• 5784 buses
• 234 local bus routes

With such a huge fleet of vehicles and subway cars servicing Greater New York, it comes as no surprise that accidents happen regularly. However, the MTA is responsible for getting its passengers from A to B as safely as possible. Drivers and conductors of trains, subways, and buses must be adequately trained and vetted. When accidents happen due to negligence of MTA management or employees, passengers can be left seriously injured or even disabled for life. 

If you or a loved one got harmed in an MTA accident, you could qualify for compensation for your injuries, expenses, and emotional distress. Our attorneys can walk you through your legal options and move forward with a lawsuit. 

Common MTA Subway and Bus Accidents

According to figures from the New York Post, the city’s subway system can be a dangerous place. In 2020, almost 200 collisions were recorded between individuals and MTA trains, according to The City. 

Subway and Train Accidents

The potential for accidents on public transit is endless. Some of the most common incidents on the subway system and trains include:

• Train derailment
• Driver error 
• Sudden braking and stopping
• Slippery subway platforms
• Failure to maintain trains and rails
• Walkway obstructions 
• Mechanical failure
• Signal errors
• Malfunctioning doors

Bus Accidents

Buses have to contend with the heavy New York traffic, which can result in a number of potential hazards and accidents, such as: 

• Colliding with other motor vehicles
• Sleet, snow, or ice on the roads
• Potholes at bus stops
• Striking pedestrians or cyclists
• Sudden braking

Assaults and Attacks

Crime and violent attacks are an issue on New York’s public transit. The MTA is generally responsible for maintenance and basic safety of their stations and vehicles, which can include providing adequate lighting and the installation of security cameras. If you have been assaulted or attacked on a subway or bus station, you could seek legal recourse.  

Our NYC MTA transportation accident lawyers can help if you have suffered an injury due to an accident or an assault on public transportation. Our legal teams can examine the facts of your case and advise you on the best way forward. 

Injuries in NYC Public Transit Accidents 

While catastrophic accidents with fatalities and many injured individuals tend to grab the headlines, many minor accidents happen on public transit daily. Passengers rushing about can get hurt when getting on and off trains, waiting at the platform, or walking in and out of hectic subway stations. Injuries such as sprains, strains, bruises and scrapes frequently occur without being reported. However, some individuals are severely or even permanently injured in accidents on public transit. Significant injuries can include: 

Head Injuries 

A head injury, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), can be common in falls and collision accidents. While some TBIs can be mild, a more serious injury can change a victim’s life. Consequences of a serious TBI can include permanent cognitive problems such as memory loss or changes in personality. Victims could suffer from impaired motor skills and other health issues. Individuals with a severe head injury can also face astronomical and ongoing medical expenses.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The neck, back, and spinal cord can suffer considerable trauma in a serious accident, potentially resulting in nerve damage, loss of function, paralysis, or even death. 

Fractured Bones

Broken bones can occur when passengers are violently thrown forward in a collision accident or suffer crush injuries from malfunctioning doors, for example. Slips and falls on the platform or bus stations can also result in fractures. While a clean break may require little more than a cast to heal fully, a complicated fracture may require ongoing medical attention. Victims may have to undergo surgeries and could face lifelong problems with function and mobility. In the most severe crush injuries, amputations could be required.

Other common injuries in public transit accidents include:

• Cuts
• Burns and smoke inhalation
• Electrical shocks
• Skin abrasions

Getting hurt in an MTA transportation accident can be painful and traumatizing. However, victims could also incur high and ongoing expenses due to a severe or permanent injury. If this has happened to you or a loved one, a NYC MTA transportation accident lawyer at Morgan & Morgan could help you sue MTA transportation for damages. 

You Could Sue MTA Transportation

Victims or their families could sue MTA transportation if they can prove the negligence of the public authority. The MTA could be negligent, for example, if an accident happened due to:

• Operator error or lack of training
• Equipment failure or defects
• Dangerous conditions such as wet or damaged floors 
• Failure to maintain buses, trains, and tracks
• Failure to implement security measures

There can be other instances in which you could have a case against the MTA. Moreover, other entities could also be liable for your damages, such as a contractor working at stations or servicing equipment. Our attorneys can assess your case and advise you about your legal rights and options for holding the MTA or another party to account for your damages. 

Filing a Notice of Claim Is Essential

Suing a government agency, such as the MTA, is more complex and challenging than filing an “ordinary” personal injury lawsuit against an individual or business. The government enjoys immunity from some lawsuits, potentially making it difficult for injured victims to get justice. 

However, individuals hoping for legal recourse can waive immunity by filing a notice of claim within 90 days of their accident. Filing a notice of claim stating the facts of your accident is critical, as you may be unable to sue the MTA otherwise. An attorney can help you draw up and file the notice of claim correctly and on time.