Public Transit Accident Lawyer New York County, NY

If you were injured in a public transit accident in Manhattan—whether on a bus, subway, commuter rail, or paratransit vehicle—you may have a civil personal injury claim against the transit agency or other responsible parties. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents individuals pursuing compensation for injuries sustained on New York City Transit, the MTA, and other transit systems. The firm’s practice in this area focuses on civil claims for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering arising from bus accidents, subway incidents, and related transit mishaps. In New York County, these cases are filed in the New York Supreme Court at 60 Centre Street, where procedural requirements—including strict notice deadlines for municipal entities—demand prompt action. To discuss your situation, contact our firm at (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

A personal-injury claim arising from a public transit accident in New York generally must be filed within three years of the date of injury.

Source: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5). New York State Senate — CVP Article 2, § 214

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.

When a public transit accident involves a municipal entity such as the MTA or New York City Transit, a Notice of Claim must be served within 90 days of the incident.

Source: General Municipal Law § 50-e; Public Authorities Law § 1212(2). New York State Senate — GMU § 50-e

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.

A civil action in New York Supreme Court requires payment of an index number fee; the amount is set by statute and varies by case type.

Source: N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 8018; Uniform Civil Rules for the Supreme Court. New York State Senate — CVP § 8018

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.

On This Page

What Public Transit Accident Claims Mean in New York County

New York County—the Borough of Manhattan—is home to one of the most heavily utilized public transit networks in the country. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) operates New York City Transit buses and subways, the Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North Railroad, while additional regional services connect commuters from New Jersey and the Hudson Valley. An injury on any of these systems can give rise to a civil personal injury claim under New York’s general negligence framework, with modifications for certain transit-specific rules.

Under New York law, personal injury claims are governed by N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5), which sets a three-year statute of limitations. The state applies a pure comparative fault standard: a plaintiff’s recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault, but there is no absolute bar to recovery even if the plaintiff was primarily at fault. For injuries involving motor vehicles, including buses, New York Insurance Law § 5102 imposes a “serious injury” threshold—a requirement that the plaintiff demonstrate a qualifying injury to recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. These concepts work together: a passenger injured in a bus collision must first prove that the injury meets the statutory threshold, then the trier of fact apportions fault among the parties. The litigation unfolds in the Supreme Court for New York County, located at 60 Centre Street, which has unlimited civil jurisdiction. Because many public transit operations are run by municipal entities, the 90-day Notice of Claim requirement is nearly always relevant and is strictly enforced by New York courts.

How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Public Transit Accident Cases

Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team approach each public transit accident matter by first identifying all potentially liable parties—the transit authority, vehicle operator, maintenance contractors, equipment manufacturers, and other drivers whose conduct contributed to the collision. In a Manhattan bus accident, for example, liability may rest with the bus operator, the MTA, the owner of a private vehicle that struck the bus, or even a third party responsible for road maintenance. The firm promptly gathers incident reports, surveillance footage, electronic logging data, and witness statements to preserve evidence before it degrades.

The firm’s approach accounts for New York’s no-fault insurance framework for motor vehicle accidents: a bus passenger’s claim often begins with a no-fault application for economic losses, while the civil complaint in Supreme Court seeks damages for pain and suffering that meet the serious injury threshold. If a municipal entity is involved, the firm ensures the Notice of Claim is drafted and served within the 90-day window. Cases proceed through a preliminary conference, discovery, and compliance conferences before trial; Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel prepare each matter as though it will be tried, which positions the case for a negotiated resolution whenever the facts support it. The timeline varies by case complexity and court scheduling, but the firm works toward a resolution that accurately reflects the harm suffered.

About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has been practicing since 1997 and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His background as a former prosecutor informs his approach to civil personal injury litigation, where anticipating the opposing side’s arguments is key. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). He maintains a caseload that allows close attention to each matter, working alongside his Of Counsel attorneys. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience, with 4,739+ documented firm-wide results. Results may vary.

Verify admissions: Virginia State Bar · Maryland Judiciary · DC Bar · NJ Courts · NY OCA

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder

Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York

Practicing since 1997

Last reviewed: June 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do after a public transit accident in Manhattan?

After a public transit accident, seek medical care first, then collect evidence—photograph the scene, obtain witness contact information, and report the incident to the transit authority. Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster without first speaking to an attorney. If municipal transit is involved, the 90-day Notice of Claim clock starts running on the date of injury, so contacting counsel early can help preserve your right to recover. Our firm can be reached at (888) 437-7747.

How long do I have to file a claim for a subway or bus injury?

You generally have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5). However, if the claim is against a municipal transit authority, you must serve a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Failure to meet either deadline can result in dismissal. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.

Can I sue the MTA if I am injured on the subway?

Yes, you may bring a civil claim against the MTA or New York City Transit if negligence contributed to your injury—but you must comply with strict procedural rules. The MTA is a public authority, so the 90-day Notice of Claim applies. Liability may arise from operator negligence, inadequate security, defective equipment, or slip-and-fall hazards on platforms and stairs. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

What damages can I recover in a New York public transit accident case?

In a successful personal injury claim, you may recover medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and, in some cases, punitive damages if the conduct was egregious. New York does not cap compensatory damages. Economic losses like medical bills and lost wages are recoverable without threshold requirements, while non-economic damages in motor-vehicle-related bus accidents require proof of a “serious injury.” For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

What if the accident was partly my fault?

New York’s pure comparative fault rule allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault—your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30% at fault and the transit agency 70%, you can still recover 70% of your damages. There is no threshold of fault that bars recovery entirely. To discuss the valuation of your case, contact our firm at (888) 437-7747.

Do I need a lawyer for a public transit accident claim?

You are not legally required to have a lawyer, but the procedural challenges—strict Notice of Claim deadlines, multiple potential defendants, comparative fault analysis, and the serious injury threshold—make experienced guidance valuable. A lawyer can investigate the accident, identify all sources of compensation, and negotiate with insurers and governmental entities. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.

Related areas we serve:

Primary-source authority:

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.