Human error is being considered as a possible factor in the Jan. 4 Manhattan subway accident that left dozens of people injured. According to a WABC news report, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials said an unruly passenger began activating emergency brakes onboard a No. 1 train causing it to go into emergency mode, stopping the train. They said the control center then directed the crew to drop the passengers off and cut the brakes in the first five cars.
Ongoing Train Accident Investigation
NTSB is now looking into how the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) was moving the disabled train north to a Bronx rail yard. Based on the news report, another northbound No. 1 train collided with the disabled train as the in-service train switched from the express to the local tracks. The No. 1 train collided with the stalled train and was pushed to the side, partially derailing.
The NTSB has not yet determined what caused the derailment, and has said they will look at all factors in the entire system. Investigators are questioning why there were no cameras inside or outside the disabled train and no data recorder on board. All three of those safety features, investigators say, would have quickly given them the answers as to what caused the crash. They also say that those tools would allow for quicker safety improvements after an incident.
The NTSB requested the Federal Transit Administration to make those features mandatory in 2015. However, that did not occur. The agency is also asking anyone with video or images from the Jan. 4 collision to email that information to them at witness@ntsb.gov to help with the ongoing investigation.
If You’ve Been Injured in a Subway Accident
If you have been injured in a subway accident, taking immediate steps can ensure both safety and legal protection. Seek medical attention promptly, whether from station personnel or emergency services. Ensure your injuries are properly documented by healthcare professionals. This documentation will be crucial for any subsequent claims or legal actions. Report the accident to subway staff or authorities, providing details of the incident, including date, time, and location.
Gather relevant information such as photos of the scene, contact details of witnesses, and any relevant documents or tickets. It is also important to preserve evidence as much as possible. Contact a personal injury lawyer who has experience handling transit accidents to understand your rights and potential legal recourse. Avoid signing any documents or giving statements to insurance companies without legal counsel. Prioritize your recovery and follow medical advice for rehabilitation. Keeping meticulous records of medical expenses as well as the accident’s impact on your daily life may also prove beneficial for potential compensation claims.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Subway accidents have the potential to result in major injuries or fatalities. If you have been injured as a result of negligence (carelessness), you may be able to receive compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. If you have lost a loved one in a subway accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, pain and suffering and loss of companionship.
If you or a loved one has been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a subway accident, 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. In one case, our firm represented a man who jumped in front of an oncoming subway train and had to have his legs amputated below the knees. A verdict of $3.22 million was achieved for our client despite being advised by a well-respected judge to settle the case for $90,000.
For over 53 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. We recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
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, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, 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.
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Source: https://abc7ny.com/upper-west-side-subway-derailment-trains/14274535/