MTA Says Improper Maintenance Caused Subway Q Train Derailment

 The derailment of the Q train, which disrupted service for about eight hours on July 21, was caused by improper maintenance of a subway car, officials said. According to an AMNY news report, Wynton Habersham, head of the New York City Transit’s subways department, said although the New York City subway accident is still under investigation, it appears that a “failure to follow proper maintenance procedures” caused an “abnormal condition on a truck” of the derailed car, specifically on its wheel and axle.

Subway Problems in NYC
Habesham said the MTA is inspecting all of the trucks and axles of that train car model, known as the R160. On July 21, the Coney Island-bound Q train, which was carrying 135 passengers, derailed at the Brighton Beach station in Brooklyn. No injuries were reported as a result of the derailment and all passengers were safely evacuated from the train. Union representatives say the MTA cut back on equipment inspections and maintenance years ago, and riders are now feeling the effects of that.
The July 21 incident was the most recent in a string of service disruptions plaguing New York City’s subway system. Earlier this month, a track fire near the 145th Street station in Harlem caused service disruptions. An A train derailment back in June, left at least 39 people injured. In that case the derailment was caused by human error after a piece of scrap rail was improperly stored on the track. These types of incidents are drawing more attention to the city’s aging subway system and crumbling infrastructure.
Subway Accidents and Injuries
Poor maintenance in the subway may lead to serious injuries or even fatalities. Commuters may get injured as they get caught in doors, or suffer serious injuries when they slip and fall from stairs or escalators. Some of the most serious or fatal injuries occur when commuters are hit by trains. In New York City, we’ve also seen cases where individuals are victims of crimes in the subway. Malfunctioning equipment and operator error are some of the main causes of train crashes and derailments in the subway system.
Subway accidents have the potential to result in serious injuries including, but not limited to, traumatic brain injuries (head injury), spinal cord trauma (neck and back injuries), broken bones, amputations, internal organ damage, etc.
Liability Issues
When a subway accident occurs as the result of poor maintenance, the MTA, which is the parent company of the New York Transit Authority (which controls the New York City Subway), and/or the New York City Transit Authority can be held liable for the injuries, damages and losses caused. It is the responsibility of these agencies to ensure their operators and staff members are properly trained and transport passengers safely to their destinations. They are also responsible for making sure that facilities and subway cars are maintained and working properly. When a subway accident involves faulty doors, derailments, slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents, falling onto the tracks, sudden car stops, or a number of other circumstances associated with car maintenance or staff training, the MTA and/or the New York City Transit Authority may be held liable for the victims’ injuries, damages and losses.
Seeking Compensation
Depending on the nature and circumstances of the incident, injured victims can file a lawsuit against the at-fault parties for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
Victims who have been injured in a subway accident would find it in their best interest to get prompt medical attention. Take photographs of the scene including your injuries, other passengers’ injuries, the position of the cars, the dangerous condition that caused your injury, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a train accident or if you have lost a loved one in a train crash, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. For over 49 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. In one of our train accident cases, our client was awarded a $3,222,000 verdict.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: http://www.amny.com/transit/q-train-derailment-caused-by-improper-maintenance-resulting-in-abnormal-condition-on-car-mta-says-1.13820227