Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Train accidents can cause some of the most devastating injuries a person can suffer. If you or a family member was hurt on Metro-North, the subway, or any other rail line in the area, a train accident lawyer in Mount Vernon can help you understand your legal options.
These cases involve powerful railroad companies and their insurers, who act quickly to protect their own interests. We have recovered over $1 billion for more than 26,000 clients, and we know how to go up against well-funded opponents on your behalf.
At Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers, we represent injured riders, workers, and bystanders across Westchester County and New York City. New York, We Got You. Reach out today for a free consultation with our Mount Vernon personal injury lawyers.
What Causes Train Accidents in the Mount Vernon Area
Mount Vernon is served by Metro-North’s Harlem and New Haven lines, making it a daily commuter hub. With that level of traffic, accidents can and do happen, often due to negligence on the part of railroad operators, maintenance crews, or government agencies.
Common causes of train accidents include:
- Track defects or poor maintenance
- Signal failures or operator error
- Unsafe station platforms and inadequate lighting
- Doors closing on passengers
- Collisions caused by speeding or distracted operation
Understanding what caused your accident is one of the first things our team will work to establish. The cause often determines who is liable and what compensation may be available to you.
Injuries Commonly Seen in Mount Vernon Train Accident Cases
The injuries from train accidents tend to be severe. Whether you were a passenger thrown during a sudden stop, a worker struck on the tracks, or a pedestrian hit at a crossing, the physical toll can be significant.
Injured victims in these cases often suffer:
- Broken bones and crush injuries
- Head trauma and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Lacerations and internal bleeding
- Emotional trauma and post-traumatic stress
Many of these injuries require surgery, extended rehabilitation, and time away from work. Our train accident attorney in Mount Vernon will work to account for all of it, including future medical costs and lost earning capacity.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Train Accident Claim
Liability in a train accident case can fall on several parties, and identifying the right defendants is critical to recovering full compensation. Railroad companies, government transit agencies, private contractors, and equipment manufacturers may all share responsibility depending on the circumstances.
Claims against government entities in New York that run trains, like Metro-North, involve strict notice requirements and shorter deadlines than standard personal injury claims. Missing those deadlines can bar your claim entirely, which is why acting quickly matters.
In some cases, a train accident may also involve a workers’ compensation claim. If you were injured on the job as a railroad employee or transit worker, you may have rights under both workers’ comp and personal injury law. Shulman & Hill handles both, so your full recovery can be pursued under one roof.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Train Accident
The value of a train accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the circumstances of the accident, and the parties involved. Injured victims may be eligible to recover compensation for a range of losses.
Damages in these cases can include:
- Emergency and ongoing medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages if a family member was killed
New York’s no-fault insurance system does not apply to train accidents the same way it does to car accidents. This means your path to compensation may run directly through a claim against the railroad or transit agency rather than through your own auto insurer.
How Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers Can Help
Founded in 2013, Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers has spent over a decade fighting for working-class New Yorkers. We bring more than 200 years of combined legal experience to every case, and our results speak for themselves, with over $1 billion recovered for more than 26,000 clients.
We use our own in-house investigation team to gather evidence, preserve records, and build your case from the ground up. Our investigators move quickly because evidence in train accident cases, including surveillance footage, maintenance logs, and operator records, can disappear fast.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our offices span all five boroughs, and we travel for consultations so that cost and distance are never reasons to delay getting help.
Filing Deadlines for Train Accident Claims in New York
New York law sets strict time limits on injury claims. If your accident involved a government-run transit authority like the MTA, you may have as little as 90 days to file a notice of claim. Missing this window can permanently affect your ability to recover compensation.
For claims against private railroads or other non-government parties, the standard personal injury statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident. Even so, the sooner you act, the better your chances of preserving critical evidence.
Do not wait to speak with a lawyer about your rights after a train accident. The earlier we get involved, the more options we have to build a strong case on your behalf.
Contact a Train Accident Attorney in Mount Vernon Today
If you or someone you love was hurt in a rail accident, you do not have to take on the railroad or the MTA alone. Contact Shulman & Hill Injury Lawyers today for a free case review and let us get to work on your claim right away.
As your train accident lawyer serving Mount Vernon and Westchester County, we are committed to fighting for every dollar you may be owed. No fees unless we win.