Staten Island Subway and Train Accident Lawyer
Victims of Subway and Train Accidents in New York May Be Entitled to Compensation: Call Our Staten Island Subway and Train Accident Lawyer for Help
For many Staten Island residents, the subway and train systems are an essential part of daily life, providing crucial transportation links to other parts of New York City. The largest component of this is the Staten Island Railway, which is operated by the Staten Island Rapid Transit Operating Authority (SIRTOA). According to statistics on the Staten Island Railway, there is a total ridership of approximately 2 million people on the Staten Island Railway, while other updates indicate ridership over 3.1 million riders. Although generally safe, accidents on Staten Island’s rail networks do occur and can have serious consequences for those involved. Unfortunately, some of these types of accidents on the Staten Island Railway can result in serious personal injuries that are debilitating, disabling, and life-changing. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident on the Staten Island Railway, you should call our Staten Island subway and train accident lawyer.
Here at the O’Connor Personal Injury Law Firm, our personal injury lawyer and legal team can help victims and their families recover compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and other damages caused by a subway or train accidents in New York and on Staten Island. We have experienced handling catastrophic injury cases, including those which are disabling and fatal. To learn more about how our Staten Island subway and train accident lawyer can help you and your family, contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation.
Common Causes of Staten Island Train and Subway Accidents
Although the Staten Island Railway has a generally good safety record, accidents can and do occur. Unfortunately, due to the immense forces at play due to the sheer size, weight, and power that subways and trains generate, many of the accidents that do occur often result in catastrophic and life-changing personal injuries. This can include a collision or derailment, but also due to sharp braking, too fast around a turn, abrupt stops, unexpected jolts, and fast accelerations. In addition, maintenance of subways, trains, and their tracks can also cause serious problems and result in accidents.
Some common causes of subway and train accidents on Staten Island include the following:
- Sudden stops or starts – abrupt train movements can cause passengers to lose balance and fall, especially due to hard braking or jolts from accelerating
- Track defects or malfunctions – poorly maintained tracks or switches can lead to derailments or other accidents
- Signal failures – malfunctioning signals can result in collisions between trains or other dangerous situations
- Operator error – subway and train operators may make mistakes due to fatigue, distraction, or insufficient training – all which could be caused by the negligence of a driver or operator
- Mechanical failures – issues with train components such as brakes or doors can lead to accidents or injuries
- Platform gaps – large gaps between trains and platforms can cause passengers to slip or fall while boarding or exiting, or could even cause them to fall through and become injured in a fall
- Overcrowding – excessive passenger loads can lead to falls, crush injuries, or difficulty evacuating in emergencies, as well as causing stopping or acceleration issues
- Slippery conditions – wet or icy platforms and stairs can cause slip and fall accidents, but so can spills or leaks inside which could also present a slip and fall or a trip and fall hazard
- Inadequate security – lack of proper security measures can result in criminal activities or altercations that lead to injuries, which an operator could be liable for failing to protect riders
- Electrical malfunctions – issues with the third rail or other electrical systems can pose fire or electrocution hazards
- Defective safety equipment – this includes handrails and hand holds that could cause serious problems, and
- Other types of dangerous defects or improper operation of a subway or train that our Staten Island subway and train accidents lawyer could handle for you.
Common Injuries in Staten Island Train and Subway Accidents
Accidents on subways and trains in Staten Island can result in a wide range of injuries, varying in severity from minor to life-changing. Sadly, some injuries can be life-threatening and result in the wrongful death of an innocent person. Although some of these injuries may be obvious and occur right away, other times injuries may take days, weeks, or even months to show symptoms – yet still be life-changing, such as a spinal fusion. Thus, any types of injuries that are discovered after a subway or train accident should be reviewed by our Staten Island subway and train accidents lawyer at the O’Connor Law Firm.
Some of the most common injuries that could be caused by a subway or train accident include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries – also known as TBIs or even just brain injuries, any injury to the brain is significant and can result in significant disability. Some common TBIs include penetrating injuries, diffuse axonal injuries, coup-contrecoup injuries, brain bleeds, and concussions (which are sometimes called mild traumatic brain injuries, or mTBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries – also known as SCIs, damage to the spinal cord could result in paralysis or nerve damage
- Fractures and broken bones – falls on platforms or within train cars can lead to fractures, particularly in the arms, legs, or hips, which could be caused by hard stops or starts, taking a turn too fast, and other errors
- Soft tissue injuries – injuries to the neck and back are common and result in damage to structures that may require surgical intervention, including spinal fusions
- Cuts and lacerations – broken glass or metal during accidents can cause cuts, which may require stitches or lead to scarring
- Fire and burn injuries – electrical malfunctions or fires can result in serious burns to passengers, as well as can explosions from cargo being hauled on the same train or on an adjacent track
- Crush injuries – crush injuries are also medical emergencies due to the damage to blood vessels and compartment syndrome, all which may be catastrophic
- Psychological trauma – even if physical injuries are minor, the experience of a subway or train accident can lead to anxiety, PTSD, or other mental health issues – especially if a victim is in close proximity to a loved one such as a child, parent, spouse, sibling, or another individual who is seriously hurt or wrongfully killed
- Whiplash – sudden stops or collisions can cause neck and back injuries, including whiplash which is thought to not be serious, but could actually require a spinal fusion to abate the pain caused by nerve injuries emanating out of the spine
- Amputation or loss of a limb – victims who lose a digit, limb, or another part of their body due to a subway accident may be entitled to significant compensation due to this irreparable injury
- Dislocations or separations – victims who suffer a dislocation or separation in a train or subway accident could suffer significant injury or be catastrophically hurt – sometimes being in a life-threatening position when a blood vessel is pinched or damaged, threatening not only the limb but a person’s life, and
- Any other type of personal injury caused by a Staten Island subway or train accident that our experienced personal injury lawyer can handle for you and your family.
How a Staten Island Subway and Train Accident Lawyer Can Help You
If you have been involved in a Staten Island train or subway accident, a personal injury lawyer can provide invaluable assistance in several ways that you may not realize. Even if you are not a New Yorker and visiting for work, vacation, or recreation, you will likely need a New York lawyer. In fact, even if you are a New Yorker but you are not from Staten Island, you may still benefit greatly from having a Staten Island subway and train accidents lawyer to handle your case. This is because, unlike a lawyer from out of the area, a local lawyer from Staten Island has more experience with the subway and train system, the courts, first responders, and other local resources that can give you a significant edge in resolving your case in your favor.
Some of the advantages of hiring a Staten Island subway and train accidents lawyer to represent you or your family include the following:
- Investigation and evidence gathering – an experienced Staten Island personal injury lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident, gathering crucial evidence to support your claim
- Determining liability – subway and train accident cases are very complicated, and your attorney will identify all potentially responsible parties, which may include the MTA, SIRTOA, equipment manufacturers, or other entities
- Assessing damages – a skilled lawyer like the one at the O’Connor Law Firm will help quantify all your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future costs related to your injuries
- Navigating complex legal procedures – claims against public entities like the MTA and SIROTA may involve specific legal procedures and deadlines; your lawyer will ensure all necessary steps are taken within required timeframes
- Negotiating with insurance companies – your attorney will handle all communications with insurance companies, protecting your rights and working to secure a fair settlement
- Representing you in court – if a fair settlement cannot be reached, your subway and train accidents lawyer is be prepared to take your case to trial and advocate for your interests in court – including at trial or on appeal
- Accessing expert witnesses – personal injury lawyers have networks of expert witnesses who can provide testimony to support your case, such as medical professionals or accident reconstruction specialists, as well as more niche experts like those required in subway and train accidents (such as regulatory experts, engineers, or prior operators of subways and trains)
- Maximizing compensation – an experienced attorney will work to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible for your injuries and damages caused by a negligent defendant under New York law
Injured in a Staten Island Railway Accident? Call Our Staten Island Subway and Train Accident Lawyer for Help
Staten Island train and subway accidents, while relatively rare, can have serious consequences for those involved. Indeed, these types of accidents can result in life-changing and fatal accidents for victims and families. Unfortunately, these are also more complicated types of cases and defense lawyers vigorously fight to minimize liability and the potential payout for their clients.
That’s why victims need to hire an experienced Staten Island subway and train accidents lawyer like ours at the O’Connor Personal Injury Law Firm. We can help navigate the complex legal process, protect your rights, and work to secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages is fair and just under New York law. By taking prompt action and obtaining proper legal representation like our bodily injury law firm, you can focus on your recovery while ensuring your interests are protected in the aftermath of a Staten Island train or subway accident.
To learn more about how we can help you and your family, contact us today by dialing (866)-927-3809 or by sending us an email through our “Contact Us” box available here. We are happy to discuss your rights and legal options with you, while proudly not charging anything upfront to evaluate and handle your case – we only get paid after you get paid in a settlement, verdict, or another type of award.