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What Do I Do When I’m Injured Using New York’s Public Transit?
You don’t need to hear it from us, but New York City is one of the busiest places in the world. Millions of people rely on public transportation to get where they need to go every day. With so many people packed into MTA buses and trains, injuries are essentially inevitable. If you find yourself injured while using public transit in New York, it’s important to know your rights and the steps to take to protect yourself.
What to Do If You’re Hurt on the Subway in New York
The train is one of the most popular modes of transportation in New York. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) operates the subway system, which serves over five million riders on an average weekday–making it the busiest rapid transit system in the Western Hemisphere. With so many people using the subway, accidents and injuries happen frequently.
The first thing you need to do if you are injured while riding the train is to seek medical attention. Your health comes first. It’s crucial to document the scene of the accident, if possible. Take pictures, note the conditions, and get contact information for any witnesses. The sooner you get medical care and document your injuries, the better your chances are of successfully pursuing a personal injury claim.
Dealing with the MTA can be a major challenge. They have strict statutes of limitations, so you need to act fast. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney is essential because the MTA has its own legal team and insurance company. A skilled New York injury attorney will help gather evidence, determine liability, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
What to Do If You’re Injured on an MTA Bus in New York
Accidents on MTA buses are also common due to the large number of passengers and the size of the buses. Whether you were injured in a collision involving a bus or hurt while riding as a passenger, determining who is at fault can be difficult. The bus driver may not be solely responsible—there could be other factors such as mechanical failure or improper maintenance by the MTA.
Just the same as a train accident or any other NY personal injury accident, your first priority is your health. Seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t feel seriously injured. Some injuries, like a traumatic brain injury (TBI), might not show symptoms until days or weeks later. Keep all medical appointments and maintain a record of your treatment.
Avoid admitting fault or guilt when discussing the accident, as many factors may have contributed to the incident. If the bus was publicly owned by the MTA, you only have 90 days to file a claim. This tight deadline makes it critical to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
When You’re Hurt in New York, ASK4SAM
When you’re injured using public transportation in New York, contact Silberstein, Awad & Miklos online or call 1-877-ASK4SAM. We’ve won over $1 billion for our clients and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Whether you were hurt on the subway or in a bus accident, our experienced attorneys are ready to help.