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Brooklyn Public Transportation

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Brooklyn Public Transportation

Brooklyn Public Transportation (MTA Bus & Subway) Accident Attorney

For millions of Brooklyn residents, the MTA is the backbone of daily life. We rely on its vast network of buses and subway lines to get to work, school, and everywhere in between. As a “common carrier”, the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) and its operators are held to the highest standard of care; they have a legal duty to ensure their passengers’ safety.
When they fail in this duty through negligence, and passengers or pedestrians are injured, the victims have the right to seek compensation. However, suing a powerful municipal entity like the MTA is a vastly different legal undertaking than a typical personal injury claim. It is a process filled with procedural traps, strict deadlines, and unique legal hurdles. The Law Office of Stuart R. Lang has extensive experience and a proven record of success in holding the MTA accountable and securing justice for injured New Yorkers.

Notice of Claim: The First Critical Step

The single most critical element in any claim against the MTA or any other municipal agency in New York is the Notice of Claim. Unlike a lawsuit against a private citizen or company where you generally have three years to file, a claim against a public authority requires you to file a formal Notice of Claim within 90 days of the date of the accident. This is an absolute, unforgiving deadline. If you fail to file this document on time, you will almost certainly lose your right to ever bring a lawsuit, no matter how severe your injuries are. This notice formally informs the agency of your intent to sue and provides details about the time, place, and manner of the accident.

50-h Hearing & Statute of Limitations

Following the Notice of Claim, you will likely be required to attend a 50-h Hearing. This is a pre-lawsuit proceeding where you must give sworn testimony under oath, answering questions from the MTA’s attorneys about the accident and your injuries. This testimony can and will be used against you later in the case.

It is absolutely essential to have an experienced attorney like Stuart R. Lang prepare you for this hearing and represent you during it to protect your rights. Finally, the statute of limitations for filing the actual lawsuit is also shortened to one year and 90 days from the date of the incident. Navigating this legal minefield requires an attorney who specializes in municipal liability.

We Represent Clients Injured in a Wide Array of Public Transportation Accidents Throughout Brooklyn:

MTA Bus Accidents:

  • Onboard Passenger Injuries: Sudden, violent stops, starts, or turns can throw passengers to the floor, causing serious injuries like fractures and head trauma.
  • Collisions: MTA buses are frequently involved in collisions with cars, trucks, and other objects, injuring passengers.
  • Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents: Negligent bus drivers pulling away from the curb, making wide turns, or failing to yield at crosswalks can cause catastrophic injuries to pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Door Malfunctions: Passengers can be injured by bus doors closing on them as they enter or exit.

MTA Subway and Train Station Accidents:

  • Platform Accidents: The most common type of subway accident. These include slip and falls on wet or dirty platforms, trip and falls over broken or uneven surfaces, and injuries caused by dangerous overcrowding.
  • “Mind the Gap” Accidents: Falling between the train car and the platform can lead to horrific, life-threatening injuries.
  • On-Train Injuries: Sudden lurches or jolts of the train can cause passengers to fall and suffer serious harm.
  • Station Hazards: Broken stairs, faulty handrails, poor lighting, and malfunctioning elevators or escalators can all be grounds for a negligence claim against the MTA for failing to maintain a safe station.

Proving negligence in these cases requires a prompt and thorough investigation. The Law Office of Stuart R. Lang will work quickly to secure evidence, which may include onboard camera footage from the bus or train, surveillance video from the station, operator logs, and maintenance records for the vehicle or station infrastructure. We will interview witnesses and, if necessary, retain engineering experts to analyze the cause of the accident.

If you have been injured on an MTA bus, in a subway station, or on a train in Brooklyn, do not delay. The clock is ticking on your right to file a claim. Contact the Law Office of Stuart R. Lang immediately for a free consultation. We will explain your rights, ensure all deadlines are met, and fight to recover the full compensation you need for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.