Public Transit Accident Lawyer New York, NY
If you were injured in a public transit accident in New York City, you may have a claim for compensation against the transit authority, the vehicle operator, or other responsible parties. Whether your injury occurred on a Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus, a subway train, an Access-A-Ride vehicle, or a Long Island Rail Road or Metro-North commuter train, a thorough investigation and timely action are critical. Governmental entities such as the New York City Transit Authority are subject to special claim-filing deadlines and procedural rules that differ from claims against private parties. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Concentrate their practice on representing injured individuals in personal injury matters, including public transit accident claims, throughout the five boroughs and the greater New York metropolitan area. The firm has practiced since 1997 and brings extensive multi-jurisdiction experience to each case. To request a consultation about your public transit accident claim, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Public Transit Accident Representation Means in New York, NY
New York’s public transit network is among the largest in the world. Millions of riders rely on MTA subways and buses, the Staten Island Railway, the Port Authority Trans-Hudson system, and commuter railroads to travel within and around New York City. When an accident occurs on these systems—a bus collision, a subway derailment, a slip and fall on a station platform, or an assault due to inadequate security—the path to recovery involves navigating both New York tort law and the special rules that apply to claims against public entities.
Personal injury claims arising from public transit accidents in New York are governed by the state’s comparative fault rule under CPLR Article 14-A. A claimant’s recovery is reduced by the percentage of fault attributable to the claimant, and there is no complete bar to recovery as long as the claimant is not 100% at fault. For motor-vehicle-based transit accidents, such as those involving MTA buses, New York Insurance Law § 5102 imposes a “serious injury” threshold: a claimant must demonstrate that the injury meets the statutory definition of a serious injury to recover non-economic damages. There are no statutory caps on compensatory damages in New York personal injury litigation.
Because transit agencies typically operate as governmental entities, a critical and immediate step is serving a timely Notice of Claim. Under New York General Municipal Law, a claimant must serve a Notice of Claim on the appropriate municipal or public authority within 90 days of the date the claim arises. Failure to meet this deadline can result in the claim being dismissed. The personal injury statute of limitations for a claim against any defendant in New York is three years from the date of injury under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5). Claims for wrongful death must be filed within two years of death under E.P.T.L. § 5-4.1. Cases are generally filed in New York State Supreme Court in the county where the accident occurred. For Manhattan, the New York County Supreme Court sits at 60 Centre Street; for Brooklyn, the Kings County Supreme Court is located at 360 Adams Street; and for Queens, the courthouse is at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear in this courts and throughout the New York metropolitan region on behalf of injured clients.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Public Transit Accident Cases
When Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team take on a public transit accident case, the first priority is preserving and developing evidence while ensuring that all jurisdiction-specific procedural deadlines are met. This includes promptly obtaining accident reports from the transit agency, securing maintenance and inspection records for the vehicle or premises involved, collecting witness statements, and, when warranted, engaging accident reconstruction or engineering attorneys to evaluate the cause of the incident.
Because public transit claims often involve multiple potentially responsible parties—a bus operator, a contract maintenance provider, a station management entity, or a governmental authority—identifying all proper defendants early is essential. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel evaluate the interplay between regular tort law, vehicle and traffic statutes, and the specific notice-of-claim requirements that apply to the public entity. The firm also works with medical professionals to document the full scope of the client’s injuries, including long-term or permanent impairments. Throughout the process, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work toward a resolution that fully addresses the client’s damages, whether through a negotiated settlement or, if necessary, through trial in the appropriate New York Supreme Court. Mr. Sris is admitted to practice in New York and has handled personal injury matters across multiple states since 1997.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced law since 1997. A former prosecutor, he is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York—a five-jurisdiction practice that gives the firm a broad perspective on personal injury litigation. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). His Of Counsel team works alongside him, bringing additional litigation experience and practical knowledge of New York civil procedure. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience. Results may vary. The team has documented 4,739+ case results across all practice areas since 1997, with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate firm-wide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a public transit accident in New York City?
Seek medical attention immediately, report the incident to the transit authority, and document as much as you can at the scene. If you are able, obtain the bus or train identification number, the operator’s or conductor’s name, and contact information for any witnesses. Photograph the accident location, your injuries, and any hazardous conditions. Do not give a recorded statement to a claims adjuster before consulting an attorney. Because a Notice of Claim must be served on the appropriate governmental entity within 90 days, prompt legal evaluation is important to protect your right to seek compensation. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a public transit accident in New York?
The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim in New York is three years from the date of the accident under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5). If the accident resulted in a death, a wrongful death action must be commenced within two years of the date of death under E.P.T.L. § 5-4.1. These deadlines apply to the lawsuit itself; the Notice of Claim required for claims against governmental agencies has a much shorter 90-day window. Missing the statute of limitations can permanently bar your claim. To discuss the specific deadlines that apply to your public transit accident, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What is the Notice of Claim requirement for a New York public transit accident?
New York General Municipal Law requires that a written Notice of Claim be served on the appropriate municipal or public-benefit corporation within 90 days after the claim arises. For an accident involving the MTA or the New York City Transit Authority, the notice must include the time, place, and manner in which the claim arose, as well as the nature of the injuries. Failure to serve a proper and timely Notice of Claim can result in the case being dismissed. An attorney can prepare and serve the notice on your behalf and can also seek court permission to file a late notice in limited circumstances. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How does New York’s comparative fault rule affect a public transit accident case?
New York follows a pure comparative fault rule: your recovery is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you, but you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. For example, if you are found 30% responsible for the accident, your total recoverable damages would be reduced by 30%. This rule applies to claims against transit authorities and private parties alike. For motor-vehicle-related transit accidents, you must also clear the “serious injury” threshold under Insurance Law § 5102 to recover non-economic damages. A thorough investigation of the accident can help establish a full record of fault and damages.
Do I need a lawyer for a public transit accident claim against the MTA or another transit agency?
You are not legally required to hire a lawyer, but claims against governmental transit agencies involve procedural rules and short deadlines that are difficult to navigate without legal representation. Governmental entities have experienced claims adjusters and legal teams. An attorney can handle the Notice of Claim, preserve evidence, evaluate the full scope of your damages, and address the interplay between no-fault insurance and third-party liability. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. have handled personal injury claims for more than 28 years. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How much does it cost to hire a public transit accident lawyer in New York?
Most personal injury attorneys, including Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., handle public transit accident cases on a contingency-fee basis. Under a contingency-fee arrangement, you pay no attorney’s fee unless you recover compensation through a settlement or a judgment at trial. The fee is a percentage of the recovery, and the specific percentage may vary depending on the stage at which the case resolves and the complexity of the matter. During a consultation, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel can explain the fee structure that would apply to your case. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.
Related Pages
Personal Injury Lawyer New York County (Manhattan) ·
Personal Injury Lawyer Kings County (Brooklyn) ·
Personal Injury Lawyer Queens County (Queens) ·
Personal Injury Lawyer Richmond County (Staten Island) ·
Personal Injury Lawyer Nassau County (Long Island)
Official Primary Sources
New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CVP) ·
New York General Municipal Law (GMU) ·
New York State Unified Court System
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