The New York City subway has over 660 miles of track in passenger service, which is essential for getting us to work and around the city every day. Millions of New Yorkers and tourists rely on this MTA service, but it can also pose serious safety risks in the form of slip-and-fall accidents.
Here is some information about what causes slip-and-fall accidents at subway stations, who is liable for injuries sustained here, and what the MTA’s role is in maintaining NYC subway stations.
Common Sources of Subway Accidents
Subway stations can be some of the most dangerous places in the city, especially during inclement weather and for people with coordination or balance issues. Subway station stairs pose risks when they are wet, slippery, or very crowded with commuters. Individuals can also get injured at subway stations due to malfunctioning turnstiles, uneven platforms, cracked concrete, and littered walkways.
Who Is Liable for Subway Station Accidents?
Some people mistakenly think that any accident that happens at a subway station is automatically the fault of the MTA since the accident occurred on MTA property. However, some accidents are deemed to be out of the MTA’s control, such as the intentional or criminal action of another person at the subway station. The MTA cannot control the weather or where people decide to toss their trash, but it can control how it warns people about hazardous conditions and cleans up messes inside stations.
Premise liability cases against the city-owned MTA can be challenging to prove, especially when you’re going up against such a powerful entity. This is why you need an experienced local lawyer on your side to help you navigate the legal system to your advantage after a slip-and-fall accident.
Role of the MTA in Maintaining Subway Stations
Although the MTA cannot be held responsible for all slip-and-fall accidents that take place at subway stations, it still has a legal responsibility to keep stations safe and properly maintained. This means that MTA employees must post warning signs about station repairs or weather conditions that could pose hazards, and they must clear snow and debris from stairs in a timely manner.
To pursue a personal injury case against the MTA, you and your attorney must be able prove that the MTA breached its duty to properly maintain a subway station, that the MTA’s breach caused your fall, and that you were injured because of that accident.
When to Contact a NYC Subway Accident Lawyer
The longer you wait after a slip-and-fall accident at a subway station, the harder it will be to prove your case and recover damages to help cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Law Office of Jeffery K. Kestenbaum is here to help you gain compensation for all the financial losses you’ve suffered due to the negligence of the MTA. We will collect all of the evidence necessary to build a case and take on the MTA and the City of New York to ensure that justice is served.
You don’t have to suffer in pain and struggle through the legal process on your own. Contact us day or night at 718-237-5586 or send us a message to discuss your rights and get a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
