Public Transit Accident Lawyer Bronx, NY

Public transit accidents in the Bronx—whether on a city bus, a subway platform, or an Access-A-Ride vehicle—can leave victims with serious injuries and a maze of claims procedures. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents individuals who have been hurt in public-transit-related incidents throughout the Bronx, including neighborhoods like Riverdale, Fordham, Morris Park, Throgs Neck, Soundview, and Mott Haven. New York law requires that a personal injury claim be filed within three years of the accident date, as set forth in N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5), and when a public entity is involved, a Notice of Claim may be required within 90 days. Missing those deadlines can bar recovery entirely. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of the firm, and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience to public transit injury cases. The firm understands the specific procedural demands of claims against the MTA, the New York City Transit Authority, and other municipal carriers. If you have been injured in a bus, subway, or paratransit accident in the Bronx, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to discuss your situation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

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What Public Transit Accident Claims Mean in Bronx, NY

Public transit accident claims in the Bronx are governed by a combination of general negligence principles and special rules that apply when a government-owned or government-operated transit system is involved. The New York Supreme Court, Bronx County, located at 851 Grand Concourse, is the trial court of general jurisdiction where most significant transit-related personal injury actions are filed. Because the MTA and its subsidiaries are public authorities, a timely Notice of Claim must be served before a lawsuit can be commenced. The standard of care applied to a common carrier such as a bus operator is higher than the ordinary negligence standard—a transit operator must exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would use under the same circumstances, and that duty is measured against the heightened responsibility of a carrier transporting passengers.

Bronx’s dense urban environment creates frequent opportunities for bus, subway, and paratransit accidents. Major thoroughfares such as the Grand Concourse, Fordham Road, and the Cross Bronx Expressway carry heavy bus traffic, while the subway lines that pass through the Bronx experience constant pedestrian and passenger activity. When an accident occurs, the injured person must usually show that the transit entity or its employee acted negligently and that the negligence caused the injury. In auto-involved bus crashes, New York Insurance Law § 5102 adds a “serious injury” threshold that a claimant must meet to recover for non-economic loss. The state’s pure comparative fault rule allows recovery even if the injured passenger was partly at fault, but the recoverable damages are reduced by the percentage of fault attributable to the claimant. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys are familiar with litigating these issues before the Bronx County Supreme Court and with the procedural safeguards that protect public transit authorities.

How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Public Transit Accident Cases

The firm approaches public transit accident cases by first securing and preserving critical evidence. The firm works with accident reconstruction professionals and medical professionals to document the mechanics of the collision, the conditions at the scene, and the full extent of the claimant’s injuries. Where the MTA or another transit entity is the defendant, the Notice of Claim must be prepared with precise detail and served within the statutory period. The firm handles the drafting and service of the notice, ensuring compliance with the substantive requirements of the General Municipal Law, so that the right to pursue a lawsuit is protected.

After the claim is initiated, the firm conducts discovery, including depositions of the transit operator, the entity’s safety personnel, and any fact witnesses. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys negotiate with the municipal defendant’s representatives and, when a settlement cannot be reached on terms that fairly compensate the injured person, proceed to trial preparation. The firm presents the medical evidence, the reconstruction analysis, and the testimony of treating physicians to the court. Every step is informed by the firm’s experience with public-transit litigation, but the firm does not guarantee any particular outcome. Results may vary.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who has practiced since 1997. He is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and he testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). His practice concentrates on complex personal injury matters, including those arising from public transit accidents.

The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys work collaboratively on public transit injury cases, drawing on their collective knowledge of New York procedural law and Bronx County court practice. They are supported by accident reconstruction professionals and medical professionals whose findings strengthen the evidentiary record. The firm maintains its New York location by appointment and represents clients throughout the Bronx. Reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do after a public transit accident in the Bronx?

After a public transit accident in the Bronx, seek medical attention, report the incident to the transit authority and, if applicable, your own insurance carrier, and collect witness information. Document the scene with photographs if you are able. Do not give a recorded statement to a claims adjuster until you have spoken with an attorney. For claims involving the MTA or another public entity, a Notice of Claim must be served within 90 days, so prompt action is important. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

What is the statute of limitations for a public transit injury in New York?

Under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5), a personal injury lawsuit generally must be commenced within three years of the date of the accident. When a municipal transit entity is the defendant, however, a Notice of Claim must be served within the statutory period of the occurrence. Failure to file the notice on time can result in dismissal, even if the three-year period has not yet expired. Different notice deadlines may apply to certain authorities, so it is advisable to consult an attorney promptly. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Can I sue the MTA for a bus or subway accident?

Yes, the MTA and its subsidiary agencies can be sued for injuries caused by the negligence of their employees, but specific procedural steps must be followed. The claimant must serve a Notice of Claim in compliance with the General Municipal Law and then file the lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations. The MTA often investigates claims actively, and the deadlines are strictly enforced. An experienced attorney can help ensure that the procedural requirements are met and that the claim is properly documented. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys at (888) 437-7747.

How does New York’s comparative fault rule affect my claim?

New York applies a pure comparative fault standard, which means your recoverable damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. Even if a passenger is found to have been partially responsible—for example, by standing in an unsafe area of a moving bus—compensation is still available for the portion of fault attributed to the transit operator. The court or a jury determines the percentage of fault assigned to each party. An experienced lawyer can present evidence to minimize the share of fault attributed to you, helping to maximize the recovery under the circumstances. Results may vary.

What damages can I recover after a public transit accident?

A person injured in a public transit accident may recover economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering. In cases involving an automobile-type accident, the “serious injury” threshold under New York Insurance Law § 5102 applies to non-economic loss claims. Damages can also include the cost of future medical care, loss of earning capacity, and the effect of the injury on daily life. Each case depends on the specific medical evidence and the severity of the injury. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Do I need a lawyer for a public transit accident claim?

While you are not required to hire a lawyer, public transit accident claims involve strict procedural deadlines and complex liability rules, making legal representation important. The MTA and other transit authorities have legal teams that scrutinize claims, and a misstep in the Notice of Claim or the discovery process can jeopardize your case. An attorney can investigate the accident, gather evidence, negotiate with the municipal carrier, and, if necessary, litigate the matter in Bronx County Supreme Court. To discuss the details of your case, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Primary sources: New York Supreme Court, Bronx County | N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214

Last reviewed: July 2026

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