Mass Transit Accident Attorney in New York City
A mass transit accident attorney in New York City helps people injured on MTA buses, subways, taxis, commuter trains, and private bus lines recover compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. At Michael Gunzburg, P.C., we represent injured passengers and pedestrians throughout all five boroughs of New York City on a contingency fee basis, you pay nothing unless we win.
When you're hurt in a transit accident, you're up against one of the largest and most legally protected transportation systems in the country. The MTA, New York City Transit, and private carriers all have teams of experienced defense lawyers working to limit what they pay you. You need an attorney who has spent decades going up against them, and winning.
Michael Gunzburg, P.C. has 39+ years of trial experience representing victims of mass transit accidents across New York City. We've secured multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements in bus and train accident cases, including a $1.9 million post-verdict settlement for a pedestrian struck by a Liberty Lines Transit bus, a $1.5 million jury verdict for a passenger injured when an MTA bus suddenly accelerated, and an $850,000 settlement for a woman seriously injured when a bus traveling to Atlantic City flipped over.
Call us today at (212) 725-8500 for a free consultation. Time is not on your side, strict deadlines apply to transit accident claims in New York.
What Our Clients Say
Who Needs a Mass Transit Accident Attorney?
Mass transit accident victims are everyday New Yorkers, commuters, workers, tourists, and pedestrians, who were injured through no fault of their own while using the city's public transportation system.
You may need a mass transit accident attorney if you were:
- A passenger thrown to the floor when a bus driver suddenly braked or accelerated
- Injured when a subway door closed on you before you could board or exit
- Struck by an MTA bus or taxi while crossing the street
- Hurt in a collision between an MTA bus and another vehicle
- Injured on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), Metro-North, or a private bus line
- Involved in a taxi or car service accident in New York City
- A pedestrian hit by a bus at a crosswalk or intersection
- Injured due to a wet, slippery, or poorly maintained surface inside a bus or subway car
These cases are different from standard car accident claims. Transit accidents in New York often involve government entities, and government entities have special procedural rules that can permanently destroy your right to compensation if you miss them. Acting quickly is not just advisable; it's legally essential.
Types of Mass Transit Accidents We Handle
MTA Bus Accidents
MTA buses operate throughout all five boroughs and carry millions of passengers every day. When bus drivers operate negligently, speeding, failing to yield, making sudden stops, or pulling away before passengers are seated, serious injuries happen. We handle claims against the MTA Bus Company, New York City Transit Authority, and private bus operators.
Subway Accidents
New York City's subway system runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Injuries occur when subway doors close on passengers, when trains stop suddenly, when platforms are poorly maintained, or when train operators fail to follow safety protocols. Claims against New York City Transit require strict adherence to filing deadlines and procedures.
Taxi and Car Service Accidents
New York City taxis, black cars, and car service vehicles are required to carry commercial insurance and are regulated by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC). When a TLC-regulated driver causes an accident through negligence, you have the right to pursue a claim against the driver, the vehicle owner, and potentially the car service company.
Rideshare Accidents (Uber and Lyft)
Rideshare drivers operating in New York City are subject to different insurance rules depending on whether they were actively transporting a passenger at the time of the accident. When a driver is en route to a pickup or has a passenger onboard, Uber and Lyft carry a $1.25 million commercial liability policy. We know how to identify the coverage that applies to your specific situation and hold the right parties accountable.
Commuter Rail Accidents, LIRR and Metro-North
The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North serve hundreds of thousands of commuters every day. Claims against these commuter rail lines involve the MTA and are subject to the same strict notice requirements as other transit authority claims. Injuries range from slip and fall accidents on train platforms to serious collisions at grade crossings.
Private Bus Accidents
Charter buses, interstate carriers, and private bus companies operate throughout New York City and surrounding areas. We handle bus accident claims against private operators as well as their insurance carriers, including cases where buses have overturned, collided with other vehicles, or caused injuries through unsafe boarding and exiting conditions.
The 90-Day Deadline You Cannot Afford to Miss
Mass transit accident claims in New York come with one of the most unforgiving deadlines in personal injury law. If your accident involved the MTA, New York City Transit, or any other government entity, you typically have just 90 days to file a Notice of Claim.
Missing this deadline almost always results in the dismissal of your case, regardless of how serious your injuries are or how clear the negligence was. Courts rarely grant exceptions.
After the Notice of Claim is filed, you must attend a 50-H examination, a formal hearing where the transit authority's lawyers question you under oath about your accident and injuries. The lawsuit itself must be filed within one year and 90 days from the date of the accident.
This is why you should contact a mass transit accident attorney as soon as possible after your injury. Every day that passes makes it harder to gather evidence, locate witnesses, and preserve surveillance footage, which transit agencies typically overwrite within days.
What to Do After a Mass Transit Accident in NYC
The steps you take immediately after a transit accident directly affect your ability to recover compensation.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Your health comes first. Even if you feel fine at the scene, many serious injuries, including herniated discs, traumatic brain injuries, and soft tissue damage, may not produce immediate symptoms. Getting a medical evaluation right away also creates a record that connects your injuries to the accident.
Step 2: Document Everything at the Scene
Get the bus or train number, route information, and the operator's name or badge number if possible. Take photos of the accident scene, your visible injuries, and any hazardous conditions that contributed to your injury. Collect contact information from any witnesses.
Step 3: Report the Accident
Make sure the accident is officially reported to the transit authority or operator. If a report is not made at the scene, contact the MTA or the relevant operator as soon as possible. Do not assume the driver or operator filed a report on your behalf.
Step 4: Call Michael Gunzburg, P.C. Before Speaking to Insurance Adjusters
Transit authorities and insurance companies often reach out to injured passengers quickly, and not to help you. They're gathering information to use against you. Before you speak with any adjuster or sign any document, call us at (212) 725-8500. We'll protect your rights from the very beginning.
How Our Legal Process Works
Free Consultation and Case Review
We meet with you to review your accident, discuss your injuries, and explain your legal options. You'll receive an honest assessment of your case and a clear explanation of the process and timeline, at no cost and with no obligation.
Immediate Investigation and Evidence Preservation
We act fast to investigate your accident before critical evidence disappears. This includes obtaining surveillance footage from buses, trains, and nearby cameras; interviewing witnesses while memories are still fresh; reviewing vehicle maintenance and inspection records; and examining the operator's training history and driving record.
Filing the Notice of Claim
We handle all required legal filings, including the Notice of Claim, within the strict deadlines that apply to your case. This is one of the most important things we do for transit accident clients, and missing this step cannot be undone.
Building a Strong Case for Maximum Compensation
Every case we take is prepared for trial from day one. This approach strengthens our negotiating position and sends a clear message to transit authorities and their insurance carriers: we are ready to fight in court if they refuse to offer a fair settlement. This trial-ready strategy has produced our largest recoveries.
Settlement Negotiation or Trial
Most transit accident cases settle before trial, but we never accept an offer that doesn't fully reflect what our clients deserve. When the MTA or a private carrier refuses to make a fair offer, we take the case to court. Our $1.5 million jury verdict against the New York City Transit Authority, won after NYCTA claimed the incident was impossible, is a testament to what happens when we prepare thoroughly and fight aggressively on your behalf.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Victims of mass transit accidents in New York City may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages, depending on the severity of their injuries and the impact on their daily life.
Economic damages include:
- All past and future medical expenses, including emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, and medications
- Lost wages for time already missed from work
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries limit your ability to work going forward
- Out-of-pocket costs directly related to the accident and your recovery
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
In cases involving the MTA or NYC Transit, you may also be able to recover damages in a lawsuit even if you received no-fault benefits. Our attorneys will identify every source of compensation available to you and pursue each one.
Why Choose Michael Gunzburg, P.C.?
39+ Years of Trial Experience in Transit Accident Cases
Michael Gunzburg has been representing injured New Yorkers since 1987. He has handled bus, train, and taxi accident cases from their very beginning through trial and appeal, including cases argued before the New York State Court of Appeals, the highest court in New York. That depth of experience matters when your opponent is a government entity with a full legal department.
Proven Results Against the MTA and NYC Transit
We have secured significant recoveries specifically in mass transit accident cases:
- $1.9 million post-verdict settlement for a pedestrian struck by a Liberty Lines Transit bus
- $1.5 million jury verdict for a 44-year-old Board-Certified Pediatrician injured when an NYCTA bus suddenly and violently accelerated, the jury found NYCTA 100% liable
- $1.025 million jury verdict for a bicyclist nearly crushed by an NYC Transit Authority bus, the NYCTA appealed and lost
- $850,000 settlement for a 76-year-old woman seriously injured when a bus to Atlantic City flipped over
Trial-Ready from Day One
Every case at Michael Gunzburg, P.C. is prepared as if it will go before a jury. That strategy consistently produces better results, whether the case settles or goes to verdict.
Personal Attention Throughout Your Case
You work directly with Michael Gunzburg, not a paralegal or a rotating team of associates. Calls are returned within 24 hours. You receive regular updates. And when you have questions, at any stage of the process, you get real answers from the attorney handling your case.
No Fee Unless We Win
We handle all mass transit accident cases on a contingency fee basis. If we don't win, you don't pay, no legal fees, no expenses, nothing. This arrangement means anyone who has been injured can access experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation.
Areas We Serve
Michael Gunzburg, P.C. represents mass transit accident victims throughout New York City and the surrounding region.
Manhattan: Midtown, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Harlem, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Lower East Side, Financial District, and all other Manhattan neighborhoods.
Brooklyn: Williamsburg, Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights, Park Slope, Flatbush, Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Coney Island, and all other Brooklyn neighborhoods.
Queens: Astoria, Long Island City, Jackson Heights, Flushing, Jamaica, Forest Hills, Bayside, Howard Beach, and surrounding areas.
The Bronx: Fordham, Mott Haven, Soundview, Pelham Bay, Riverdale, Hunts Point, and all Bronx neighborhoods.
Staten Island: St. George, Stapleton, Port Richmond, New Dorp, Great Kills, Tottenville, and surrounding areas.
Nassau and Suffolk Counties: We also represent commuters injured on the Long Island Rail Road and other transit vehicles traveling to and from Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue the MTA if I'm injured on a bus or subway in New York City?
Yes, you can sue the MTA, New York City Transit, or another transit authority when their negligence caused your injuries. However, claims against government entities require strict compliance with procedural rules that do not apply to private lawsuits. You must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the accident, attend a 50-H examination, and file your lawsuit within one year and 90 days from the date of the incident. Failing to meet any of these deadlines can permanently bar your claim. An experienced transit accident attorney can make sure every requirement is met on time.
What if I was injured in a taxi or rideshare accident?
Taxi and car service accidents in New York City are governed by different rules than MTA claims. TLC-licensed vehicles carry commercial insurance, and claims are filed against the driver, the vehicle owner, and in some cases the car service company. Rideshare accident claims, involving Uber or Lyft, depend on the driver's status at the time of the accident. When a driver is actively transporting a passenger, Uber and Lyft carry a $1.25 million commercial liability policy. We handle all types of for-hire vehicle accident claims in New York City.
What are the most common injuries in mass transit accidents?
Common injuries in bus, subway, taxi, and train accidents include traumatic brain injuries, herniated and bulging discs, fractures, torn ligaments and tendons, shoulder injuries including rotator cuff tears, knee injuries including torn meniscus, soft tissue injuries, and in the most serious cases, spinal cord injuries and permanent disability. Standing passengers are especially vulnerable when a bus or train makes a sudden stop or acceleration. The severity of your injuries directly affects the compensation you may be entitled to recover, which is why proper and prompt medical documentation is so important.
What if the accident wasn't reported at the scene?
You can still pursue a claim even if the transit accident was not officially reported. However, an unreported accident is harder to prove, and waiting makes it worse, surveillance footage is typically overwritten within days, and witnesses become harder to locate. If your accident was not reported, contact us immediately at (212) 725-8500. We can investigate, gather available evidence, and report the incident properly before evidence is lost.
How long does a mass transit accident case take to resolve?
Most mass transit accident cases in New York take between 18 months and three years to resolve. Cases involving government entities like the MTA tend to take longer because of the required Notice of Claim process and the 50-H examination that must occur before a lawsuit is filed. The timeline also depends on the severity of your injuries, whether you have reached maximum medical improvement, and whether the transit authority is willing to negotiate in good faith. We keep our clients informed at every stage of the process.
How much is my mass transit accident case worth?
The value of a transit accident case depends on several factors: the severity of your injuries, the medical treatment required, whether your injuries affect your ability to work, and the strength of the evidence establishing the transit authority's negligence. Because no two cases are identical, the only way to get a realistic assessment of what your case may be worth is to speak with an attorney. We provide honest evaluations, we don't inflate expectations, and we don't minimize legitimate claims.
Do I have to attend a 50-H hearing?
Yes. When you file a claim against the MTA, New York City Transit, or another government entity in New York, you are required to appear at a 50-H examination before you can file a lawsuit. This is a formal proceeding where the transit authority's lawyers question you under oath about your accident, your injuries, and how your daily life has been affected. We prepare our clients thoroughly for this hearing and accompany them throughout the process.
What if the bus or train accident was partly my fault?
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident, your recovery is simply reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. For example, if your damages total $500,000 and you are found 20% at fault, you would still recover $400,000. Transit authorities and their insurance carriers often try to shift blame onto injured passengers. We counter those arguments aggressively with evidence.
How much does it cost to hire a mass transit accident attorney?
Hiring Michael Gunzburg, P.C. costs nothing upfront. We handle all mass transit accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning our fee is a percentage of what we recover for you. If we don't win your case, you owe us nothing, no legal fees, no expenses, no costs of any kind. The contingency fee arrangement means experienced legal representation is available to you regardless of your current financial situation.
Can I still file a claim if my injuries showed up days after the accident?
Yes. Many serious injuries, including herniated discs, traumatic brain injuries, and soft tissue damage, do not produce obvious symptoms immediately after an accident. The 90-day Notice of Claim clock, however, starts running from the date of the accident, not the date your symptoms appeared. This makes it even more important to speak with a mass transit accident attorney as quickly as possible, even if you believe your injuries are minor. We can protect your rights while you focus on your recovery.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
A mass transit accident can upend your life in an instant. Mounting medical bills, missed work, and pain that won't go away, all while the clock on your legal claim ticks forward. You don't have to face this alone.
At Michael Gunzburg, P.C., we've spent 39+ years fighting for injured New Yorkers against the MTA, NYC Transit, taxi companies, rideshare carriers, and private bus operators. We know how these cases work, we know how to build them, and we know how to win them.
Don't let the 90-day deadline pass.
Call us today at (212) 725-8500 for a free consultation. We'll review your case, explain your rights, and tell you exactly what we can do to help. There's no cost, no obligation, and no fee unless we win.
Get the Big Gunz™ working on your case today.