New York Train Accident Lawyer

Following a train accident, the clock starts ticking. In New York State, injury victims of accidents involving the MTA, Long Island Railroad, and Metro-North face a strict 90-day deadline to file a Notice of Claim.

Missing this critical window could mean you lose your right to pursue fair compensation forever.

For over three decades, our New York train accident lawyers at Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm have stood with train accident victims and injured passengers, holding powerful entities like the MTA, Long Island Railroad, and Metro-North accountable for their negligence.

We understand the unique rules, regulations, and statutes that govern these personal injury claims, and we have a proven track record of securing over $900 million for our clients.

Don't wait. Protect your future now with a free, no-obligation consultation.

Call 212-268-3222 today or contact us online for a free consultation.

Understanding Your Legal Rights After a Train Accident in New York

Determining if you have a valid claim can be complicated, especially with New York law and its complex transit regulations.

Our experienced New York train accident lawyers can help you understand your options through a comprehensive assessment of your personal injury claims.

Subway accidents and train incidents we handle include cases on New York City subway systems, Long Island Railroad, Metro-North, and other commuter trains.

Whether the accident occurred on subway platforms, involved NYC train derailment, or happened when a train derailed due to mechanical failure, we have the experience to pursue maximum compensation for injury victims.

Common accident types range from slip and fall incidents at subway stations to serious train derailments, door-related injuries, platform gap accidents, and electrical injuries.

Whether your accident occurred recently or you're approaching critical deadlines, we can evaluate your case and protect your rights.

It's essential that train passengers seek medical attention immediately after any train incident—both for your health and to properly document your injuries for any future personal injury lawsuits.

Critical Deadlines You Cannot Afford to Miss

The overwhelming scale of New York's transit system—with over 1 billion subway trips in 2024 and over 540,000 daily Long Island Railroad and Metro-North riders—means that evidence can disappear quickly.

Our firm moves swiftly to preserve critical evidence before it's gone, ensuring your personal injury lawsuits aren't derailed by a missed deadline.

The 90-Day Notice of Claim

This is the most important deadline under New York law. If you were injured in an accident that occurred due to the MTA's negligence, you have only 90 days from the date of the train incident to file this official notice.

We will prepare and file this document accurately and on time to protect your rights, per the General Municipal Law §50-e (Notice of Claim Statute).

Unlike most personal injury lawsuits which allow years to file, missing this deadline may mean you lose your right to pursue fair compensation forever.

The Lawsuit Filing Deadline

After filing the Notice of Claim, you generally have one year and 90 days from when the accident occurred to file formal personal injury lawsuits.

This is significantly shorter than the three-year statute of limitations for typical personal injury claims in New York State.

Insurance Company Requirements

‍If a motor vehicle was involved in your train incident, insurance companies may require a 30-day deadline to file a no-fault insurance claim. Additionally, your own insurance company needs to be notified promptly to protect your coverage.

Taking on the MTA, LIRR, or Metro-North requires understanding their specific legal procedures and defense strategies.

Our MTA accident lawyers have spent over 33 years mastering these complexities. We know what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Maximum Compensation for Your Catastrophic Injuries

After suffering debilitating injuries in a train incident, our goal is to recover maximum compensation for you.

We understand the overwhelming financial pressures that injury victims face, and that's exactly why we fight so hard to pursue maximum compensation that addresses both your immediate needs and your long-term recovery.

Your personal injury case compensation may include:

Medical Expenses: Coverage for all past and future medical bills, including emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, and assistive devices—because we know that catastrophic injuries often require ongoing care.

Lost Wages & Earning Capacity: Full reimbursement for income you've lost and will lose in the future due to your debilitating injuries, ensuring your family's financial security isn't compromised.

Pain and Suffering: Financial recovery for the physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life you've endured—elements that insurance companies often try to minimize.

Disability Accommodations: Compensation for necessary home or vehicle modifications that help you maintain independence despite your injuries.

How We Prove Transit Authority Negligence

While the MTA often reports "historically low numbers of customer injuries," our firm has seen a consistent pattern of negligence that leads to devastating accidents.

Our thorough investigations focus on:

• ‍Maintenance Failures: Examining maintenance records for track defects, faulty signals, or poorly maintained train cars.‍
• Operator Error: Investigating whether the train operator was fatigued, distracted, or failed to follow safety protocols.‍
• Inadequate Safety Measures: Reviewing platform safety, lighting, security, and crowd control procedures.‍
• Defective Equipment: Working with experts to determine if a mechanical failure caused the accident.

Train Accidents and Injuries We Handle

Our NYC train accident attorneys have extensive experience handling a wide range of railway-related accidents across Nassau County, Suffolk County, Rockland County, Westchester County and Greater New York.

We've seen the serious injuries that often result, and are proud to represent New Yorkers whose lives have been impacted.

Common Types of Train Accidents:

• Subway, Metro-North, and LIRR Derailments: Accidents where a train goes off its tracks due to speed, track defects, or mechanical failures
• Train Collisions: Cases involving a train colliding with another train, vehicle, or pedestrian
• Train Door Injuries: Passengers caught in closing doors or injured by malfunctioning door mechanisms
• Platform and Station Accidents: Injuries on platforms due to poor maintenance, inadequate lighting, slip and fall hazards, or inadequate security
• Platform Gap Accidents: Passengers falling into the gap between train and platform
• Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) cases for injured railroad workers

Train-Specific Injuries We See:

Due to the immense forces involved in train derailments and subway accidents, injury victims often sustain catastrophic injuries requiring immediate and long-term medical care. We've seen how these debilitating injuries can completely transform a family's life in an instant:

• Crushing Injuries & Amputations: Often occurring when a train passenger is caught between train cars or platforms during a NYC train derailment
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): From sudden impacts or being thrown during train derailments—injuries that can affect every aspect of your daily life
• Spinal Cord Injuries & Paralysis: Resulting from the violent forces when a train derailed or during subway accidents
• Broken Bones and Severe Fractures: Especially to legs and arms from platform falls at subway stations, often requiring multiple surgeries
• Neck Injuries: Common in sudden-stop incidents and train derailments, sometimes leading to permanent mobility issues
• Electrical Burns: From contact with the third rail or electrical systems in subway accidents
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The psychological trauma of experiencing a major train incident can be just as debilitating as physical injuries

Your commute became a catastrophe. When the MTA claims it's not their problem, our personal injury attorneys have made transit authorities pay millions to injured passengers they tried to ignore.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Train Accident Injury

Determining liability in subway accidents and train incidents requires in-depth investigation and understanding of New York law. At Raphaelson & Levine, we identify all potential at-fault parties—because often, multiple entities share responsibility for what happened to you.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA): As the governing body for New York City subway operations, the MTA is often the primary defendant in personal injury claims. This includes the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA), Long Island Railroad, and Metro-North Railroad. When a train derailed or subway accidents occur, the MTA's vast network of responsibility means they're frequently liable.

Railroad Operators or Crew: Individual railroad company employees operating commuter trains may be held liable for their negligence—particularly in cases where operator error contributed to the train incident.

Railroad Company Contractors: Private companies hired by the railroad company for maintenance or safety services can be held accountable when their negligence leads to injury victims suffering catastrophic injuries.

Equipment Manufacturers: When defective parts cause a train derailed situation or contribute to subway accidents, we pursue the manufacturers who put unsafe products into service. The Federal Railroad Administration maintains strict safety standards—and when manufacturers violate these, injury victims deserve fair compensation.

Representing Railroad Employees Under FELA

We understand that railroad workers face unique dangers every day.

In one significant case involving Port Authority accidents, we obtained a $5.33 million train crash settlement for the family of a Port Authority employee who was killed in an accident involving the AirTrain to JFK. (View our recent MTA Lawsuit Settltments)

Our experience includes representation of many Long Island Railroad employees and other railroad company workers who have brought personal injury lawsuits directly against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

This federal law provides one of the few exceptions that give employees an opportunity to pursue fair compensation from their employers when catastrophic injuries occur.

We will work tirelessly to recover maximum compensation for you.

Common Causes of Train Accidents in New York

Train accidents in New York are rarely a simple "accident." In our experience, many train accidents result from negligence.

Common causes we investigate include:

• Operator Negligence: Human error, operator fatigue, or failure to follow train safety protocols
• Poor Track or Station Maintenance: Failure to properly maintain train tracks, railroad crossing signals, switches, and train station platforms
• Mechanical Failures or Defective Equipment: Malfunction in a train's brakes, coupling, or other critical components
• Speeding or Excessive Speed: Train operators who fail to adhere to speed limits
• Inadequate Security or Crowding: Poor crowd control or lack of security leading to severe injuries on platforms or aboard trains

Why Raphaelson & Levine Wins More Train Accident Cases

Choosing an experienced train accident attorney is the most important decision you'll make after a serious injury.

Our firm offers a unique combination of experience, resources, and results that sets us apart:

• ‍30+ Years of NYC Transit Experience: We have handled many personal injury claims against the MTA, across Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Long Island, and Greater New York City. This gives us an unmatched understanding of the legal procedures and defense strategies in a train accident lawsuit.‍
• Proven Results: Our 95% success rate and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for train accident victims speak for themselves.‍
• Contingency Fee Basis: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you.

Your Train Accident Questions Answered

What if I was partially at fault for my train accident injury?

New York follows a "pure comparative negligence" rule. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault—your total compensation will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault.

How do I know if I have a train accident case?

The best way to determine if you have a valid claim is to speak with an experienced New York City train accident lawyer. We offer a free, no-obligation case review to discuss the details of your incident and provide you with an honest assessment of your legal options.

Your Next Steps Are Simple & Risk-Free

You don't have to face the MTA's legal team alone. Our process is designed to be simple and stress-free, so you can focus on your recovery:

1. Free Consultation: We'll discuss your accident, explain your rights, and assess the strength of your case.
2. Immediate Investigation: We'll launch a swift investigation to secure critical evidence before deadlines expire.
3. Notice of Claim Filing: We will ensure your Notice of Claim is filed accurately and on time.
4. Strategic Representation: We will handle all communication with the MTA and their lawyers while building a powerful case on your behalf.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

If you have been seriously injured or have lost a loved one in a train accident caused by negligence, you have the right to financial compensation.

Our train accident attorneys at Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm will listen to your story and discuss your next steps toward recovery.

Call 212-268-3222 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today.