Slips, trips and falls on New York City subways or buses are not uncommon and can result in serious injuries for victims. Important relief for their damages may be available, but the process of making a premises liability claim can be complex. Those who have been injured on a city subway or bus can benefit from having trained guidance to help them navigate the legal issues involved.
Premises liability
In general, premises liability is an area of the law based on the idea that property owners have a duty to protect visitors from hazardous conditions. If the owner is negligent in this duty, and a visitor is injured as a result, the injured may hold the owner liable for their resulting damages. Victims may suffer a variety of damages including medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. A personal injury claim for damages may help them recover compensation.
In New York, the subway system and buses are operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. There are certain special rules and requirements around bringing a claim against a government authority for damages. For example, victims who are injured in a subway accident or a bus accident only have 90 days to bring a claim against the government agency that may be liable for their damages.
Subway and bus accidents can occur for a variety of reasons and can also result in catastrophic injuries for victims because of the high speeds these forms of transportation often travel at. Subway accidents, for example, can result from driver errors, improper or inadequate maintenance, negligent security, insufficient lighting, equipment malfunctions and other reasons as well.
A slip and fall accident can occur in an instant on the victim’s way to work. For that reason, victims should know how to pursue a claim for damages and be especially acquainted with the complexities of bringing a claim when the party responsible is the government.