New York Train Accident Lawyer

The most common causes of train and subway accidents in New York include: 

• Defective tracks 
• Objects on the tracks 
• Incorrect switch alignment 
• Poor track maintenance 
• Malfunctioning railroad crossing guards 
• Malfunctioning warning lights and alarms 
• Defective or broken platforms 
• Defective train parts, such as steps or handrails 
• Defective or broken escalators 
• Train operator error 
• Excessive speed 
• Insufficient or inadequate training 

• Train derailment 
• A pedestrian being struck by a train in various situations, such as walking near the train tracks, falling from the platform on the tracks at a subway station, or attempting to cross the tracks while the train is approaching 
• A vehicle being struck at a train crossing 
• Slips, trips and falls at a subway station or on a train 
• Train collision 
• Electrocution on the tracks 

The main causes of rail derailment fall into two main groups: 

• Technological malfunction, such as machinery failure, brake malfunction or dangerous tracks 
• Human error, including inattentive behavior or mistakes made by engineers or conductors 

The most common injuries after a train accident include:

• Fractures
• Back and neck injuries
• Soft tissue damage
• Internal organ damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Amputations

After a train accident in New York, you can seek compensation for different types of damages, including: 

• Economic damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, therapy and rehabilitation care costs, property damage or funeral and burial costs 
• Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, loss of consortium, mental anguish, diminished earning capacity or loss of enjoyment of life 

Our knowledgeable train accident lawyers at Spar & Bernstein will help you reach a fair settlement for the injuries and damages you sustained. 

As common carriers, railroad companies provide transportation services for a fee. As per New York’s Common Carriers law, railroad companies are required to secure the highest standard of care for their passengers, from boarding to exiting the train.  

If the passengers are injured, carriers are liable for the injury, even if their fault in the accident was minimal, or the accident was caused by third parties or weather conditions. 

The carriers you can sue after a train accident in New York typically include: 

• The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) 
• The New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) 
• Amtrak 

Our train accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Spar & Bernstein will help you identify the party or parties responsible for the accident and determine the best path forward to help ensure you are compensated for your injuries.  

To prove that your train accident was the result of negligence, you must show that the train company or operator did not take care of you as a passenger, by failing to maintain the train, tracks or stations.

This can be a time-consuming and complicated process that requires extensive evidence, such as:

• Surveillance footage
• Photos and videos by other passengers
• Witness statements
• NYCTA/MTA employee testimony

Contact our experienced train accident lawyers at Spar & Bernstein for a free initial consultation on your case. We’ll review the details, gather the evidence you need and fight on your behalf for fair compensation.

After a train accident, our tenacious attorneys will:

• Partner with top experts to identify the cause of your train accident
• Work with medical teams to identify your damages and the cost of your treatment and recovery
• Handle all paperwork
• Negotiate a fair settlement amount
• If needed, take your case to court

Train accident injuries can be severe and even fatal due to the speed, size and weight of the railroad cars. Even the most modern motor vehicles do not stand a chance against an approaching train. Experts compare the impact of a 30-car train hitting a car to an aluminum soda can hit by a car. 

From January to August 2021, there were 47 subway fatalities in New York, as a result of train collisions, train track falls and electrocutions caused by touching an electrified rail. 

To avoid subway or commuter accidents: 

• Never run on a train platform 
• Stay away from the platform edge 
• Do not lean forward to check for an approaching train 
• Proceed to the edge of the platform only after the train is fully stopped 
• If you drop something on the tracks, do not attempt to retrieve it by stepping down. Inform the train station staff instead. 
• Ensure your clothes, long hair or bags do not get caught between the doors when boarding or exiting the train 
• Do not try to stop a train door that is closing — unlike elevator doors, it will not reverse its course 
• Do not lean against the doors while the train is moving 
• Hold a stand strap or a pole while the train is moving and you are standing 
• If accompanied by children, make sure you hold their hands at all times 

To avoid train accidents: 

• Use designated crossing areas to cross the train tracks 
• Stop 10 yards away from the tracks if there is a red light, to prevent being trapped or boxed in 
• When crossing the tracks, check for approaching trains in both directions 
• Remember that all tracks may be in use — even those that seem to be non-functioning or used in one direction only 
• If you observe failure of safety features on the train or on the tracks, report them immediately 
• Do not go around railroad safety arms 
• Leave enough space between your vehicle and the train — the width of a train is larger than the width of the train tracks 
• Check for additional trains coming after or opposite the train you initially saw 
• If you are driving behind a bus or a truck and are approaching a railway crossing, be prepared to come to a full stop, even if you see a green light 
• If your car gets stuck while crossing the tracks, leave the vehicle immediately. Stay at a safe distance from the tracks and call 911 as well as the emergency number posted at the crossing.