Senior Partner
The New York subway system is owned by the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA). However, the NYCTA operates under the authority and direction of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Therefore, the MTA may be liable for certain injuries and fatalities that occur on the subway. In addition, depending on the circumstances, other private parties may be liable for a subway accident injury. In this article, we discuss who can be held liable for a subway accident injury.
Subway Accident Causes
Before discussing liability, it’s important to understand what causes subway accidents in New York City. By understanding the causes of subway accidents in New York, you can increase your odds of navigating New York’s subways safely and avoiding injury. Common causes of subway accidents in New York include:
- Broken escalators, platforms, or stairs
- Computer system failure
- Lack of security
- Speeding
- Faulty infrastructure
- Defective or faulty parts
- Operator fatigue
- Improper maintenance
- Distracted driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Objects on the subway tracks
- Fire
- Lack of safety features
Liable Parties
As noted above, both public and private parties may be liable for subway accidents in New York. The circumstances of your accident will dictate who may be held responsible for your injury. Private parties that may face liability for New York subway injuries include:
- Equipment manufacturers
- Subway repair and maintenance companies
- Subway passengers who negligently or intentionally cause harm
- Construction companies working near or on the tracks that create hazardous conditions
- MTA employees if their reckless or intentional actions result in injury or death
MTA Liability
As noted above, the MTA is responsible for maintaining the safe condition of New York’s subways, subway tracks, and subway stations. The MTA may face liability when a person suffers an injury on the subway as a result of any of the following:
- Subway operator error
- Broken tracks
- Negligent security
- Debris and trash in walking areas
- Gaps in subway entrances
- Broken or malfunctioning signals
- Broken seats
- Malfunctioning subway doors
Damages in a New York Subway Injury Case
If you have suffered an injury on a New York City subway, you are likely facing expensive medical bills, missed work, and the emotional and physical effects of the injury. Fortunately, there are typically several types of compensation available to victims of New York subway accidents, including compensation for the following:
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Medical Expenses
- Pain & Suffering
- Emotional Distress
- Wrongful Death Damages
Contact Our New York Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one have been injured in a New York subway accident, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. At Dell & Dean, PLLC, our experienced attorneys are here to help. When you come to us for assistance with your subway accident injury case, we will review the facts of your case, plan a personal injury case strategy, and aggressively seek financial compensation from all responsible parties. Please contact us as soon as possible to schedule a confidential initial consultation with an experienced Long Island personal injury attorney.
Dell & Dean, PLLC, represents clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Garden City on Long Island, as well as the boroughs of New York: Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Manhattan, and the Bronx.
