Transportation Law Attorney in New York and The Bronx

Leav & Steinberg LLP handles transportation accident cases involving injuries sustained in vehicles, trains, buses, and planes. Transportation accidents often stem from negligence in driving, maintenance, or system operations. Victims can seek damages for medical care, lost income, and long-term rehabilitation.

According to the New York Department of Health, there are almost 13,000 hospitalizations each year throughout the state due to motor vehicle and transportation injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a transportation accident, you may be able to build a case with our dedicated team of attorneys at Leav & Steinberg LLP and receive possible compensation.

What Is a Transportation Lawyer?

Transportation attorneys can provide counsel for those who have been injured either on or from public transportation, such as buses, subways, or trains, or have been involved in a bicycle, motorcycle, or car accident. New York operates under a “No-Fault” law, which means that negligent drivers may be held accountable for injuries caused to others within a certain period of time. For motor vehicle accidents, this is usually 30 days after the incident. Cases of accidents or injuries involving public transportation must meet several preconditions within a short period of time before a lawsuit can be filed. Work with an experienced transportation accident attorney to determine if you have a case and to help ensure these conditions are met.

Our team can also help you in cases where vehicles were improperly maintained or if environmental factors contributed to an accident, such as poor lighting or improper placement of signs or rails.

Types of Transportation Accidents Throughout New York City and The Bronx

Other types of transportation accidents include bicycle and skateboard accidents, hit and run cases, drunk driving, pedestrian accidents, and motorcycle collisions. Leav & Steinberg specializes in the following:

Bus Accidents

Bus accidents can cause serious injuries to passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and occupants of other vehicles. Because buses are large, heavy, and slower to stop than passenger cars, the injuries caused by a collision can be severe.

In New York City, buses are a major part of daily life. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) serves all five boroughs and carries millions of riders each week. While buses are a convenient and affordable form of transportation, accidents involving city buses and private buses remain a serious concern.

Liability in a bus accident case depends on how the crash happened. The bus driver may be responsible if the accident was caused by negligent driving, distraction, impairment, or inadequate training. In other cases, the bus company or transit authority may be liable for:

• Improper vehicle maintenance
• Hiring or retaining unqualified drivers
• Failure to follow safety regulations
• Defective bus equipment or unsafe conditions inside the bus

Bus accident victims may suffer injuries such as:

• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
• Neck and spinal cord injuries
• Chronic back pain
• Broken bones or disfigurement
• Emotional trauma
• Wrongful death

In some cases, the condition of the bus itself contributes to the injury. For example, leaks, slippery flooring, or defective boarding areas can create hazards for passengers. When a bus accident causes serious harm, identifying the responsible party quickly is essential.

Subway Accidents

Subway accidents can result from operator negligence, sudden stops, collisions, unsafe stations, or poor maintenance of subway cars, tracks, and platforms. In New York City, where millions of riders use the subway system each weekday, even a single safety failure can affect a large number of people.

Subway-related injuries may occur:

• On the train itself
• On station platforms
• On stairs, escalators, or turnstiles
• Because of poor lighting or slippery flooring
• Due to inadequate station security

While derailments and train crashes receive the most attention, many subway injury claims involve hazardous station conditions or preventable maintenance failures. Common injuries in subway accident cases include head trauma, concussions, broken bones, burns, nerve damage, and even limb loss.

In many cases, the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) or MTA may be held liable if an injury was caused by unsafe conditions or negligent maintenance. However, claims against public transit authorities have strict deadlines. In many cases, a notice of claim must be filed within 90 days of the incident, and other procedural requirements may apply before a lawsuit can begin.

Because evidence in subway cases can disappear quickly, it is important to preserve photographs, medical records, witness information, and any available reports as soon as possible after the accident.

Train Accidents

Train accidents can involve subway trains, commuter rail, or other public rail systems operating throughout New York City and the surrounding area. These accidents often lead to severe injuries because of the size and speed of the train and the dangerous conditions present on platforms and rail cars.

Train accident cases may involve incidents such as:

• Being struck by a train
• Becoming trapped between the train and platform
• Falling while riding or exiting the train
• Sudden movement or improper train operation
• Unsafe platform conditions

Victims of train accidents frequently suffer serious injuries, including concussions, fractures, nerve damage, burns, lost limbs, and other life-altering harm.

If improper train operation, inadequate maintenance, or failure to implement proper safety precautions contributed to the accident, injured commuters may have grounds to pursue compensation. Preserving police reports, medical documentation, witness contact information, and photographs of the accident scene can be important in building a strong claim.

Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents are common in New York City, where cyclists must share the road with heavy traffic, parked vehicles, delivery trucks, and changing street conditions. No two bicycle accidents are exactly alike, and liability may depend on whether the crash was caused by a motorist, a road hazard, or unsafe street conditions.

Common causes of bicycle accidents include:

• Drivers failing to yield to cyclists
• “Dooring” accidents involving parked vehicles
• Potholes, broken pavement, or road debris
• Unsafe intersections or traffic violations
• Distracted or reckless driving

Under New York law, bicyclists generally have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers when using the roadway. However, for insurance purposes, injured bicyclists are often treated similarly to pedestrians under New York’s no-fault framework. This means no-fault benefits may help cover certain expenses regardless of who caused the accident.

After a bicycle accident, injured riders should seek medical attention, contact police, document the scene, gather witness information, and preserve medical records and accident reports. These steps can help support both insurance claims and personal injury cases.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents often result in especially serious injuries because riders have far less protection than occupants of passenger vehicles. With no airbags, limited physical barriers, and a smaller profile on the road, motorcyclists are more vulnerable to both collisions and roadway hazards.

Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Drivers failing to see motorcycles
• Improper lane changes
• Speeding or distracted driving
• Driving under the influence
• Potholes and roadway defects
• Mechanical problems
• Dangerous weather conditions

Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to severe injuries such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken or fractured bones
• Burns and road rash
• Serious bruising and soft tissue damage

Unlike many car accident victims, motorcyclists generally do not receive the same no-fault insurance benefits as pedestrians or bicyclists. Because of that, these cases often require a direct liability claim against the responsible party. When a motorcycle crash leads to serious physical, financial, and emotional harm, legal guidance can help injured riders understand their options.

Automobile Accidents

Car accidents remain one of the most common types of transportation injury cases in New York. These accidents may be caused by distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, failure to obey traffic laws, or other negligent conduct.

After an automobile accident, taking the right steps can make a major difference in protecting both your health and your legal claim. Important steps include:

• Calling the police
• Seeking medical attention right away
• Taking photographs of the scene and vehicle damage
• Collecting witness information
• Preserving medical records and police reports

Under New York’s no-fault insurance system, injured drivers and passengers generally seek initial benefits through their own insurance coverage, regardless of who caused the crash. However, if the injuries meet New York’s threshold for a serious injury, the victim may also pursue additional compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

Because insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, careful documentation and early legal evaluation can be important in maximizing recovery.

Airplane Accidents

Airplane accidents are less common than other transportation accidents, but when they do occur, they often cause catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Although commercial air travel remains one of the safest forms of transportation, accidents involving private planes, small aircraft, and certain flight operations can still lead to devastating losses.

Airplane accidents may occur:

• While taxiing on the runway
• During takeoff or initial climb
• During cruising
• During descent or landing

Potential causes of airplane accidents include:

• Pilot error
• Mechanical failure
• Poor maintenance
• Defective aircraft parts
• Air traffic control negligence
• Severe weather
• Sabotage or other outside causes

Determining liability in an airplane accident often requires a detailed investigation. Depending on the cause, responsibility may rest with the pilot, airline, aircraft owner, manufacturer, maintenance provider, or even a government entity involved in air traffic control.

Because aviation cases are highly technical, identifying the cause of the crash is essential to determining what claims may be available to injured victims or surviving family members.

Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can be especially dangerous because of the size and weight of commercial vehicles. In New York, thousands of trucks travel city streets and highways every day, often under intense scheduling pressure. When truck drivers or trucking companies cut corners on safety, the results can be devastating.

Truck accident cases often involve both state and federal regulations, including rules governing:

• Commercial driver licensing
• Driver conduct and training
• Hours-of-service limits
• Vehicle inspections
• Cargo loading and hazardous materials

One of the most important safety areas in truck accident cases involves driver fatigue. Federal hours-of-service rules limit how long commercial drivers can operate before taking mandatory rest breaks. When drivers or companies violate these rules, the risk of serious accidents increases.

Common causes of truck accidents include:

• Fatigued driving
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence
• Improper cargo loading
• Speeding or unsafe lane changes
• Poor vehicle maintenance

Truck accident claims may involve multiple potentially liable parties, including the driver, trucking company, maintenance contractor, cargo loader, or manufacturer of defective truck parts. Because these cases often involve extensive records and regulatory issues, early investigation is important.

Our attorneys can analyze the details of your accident by reviewing your accident report, medical records, photographs from the scene, and other information. Never put off seeking medical attention, sign anything, or give any statements until you have our team advise you on the best course of action. Because transportation cases are so time-sensitive, the only way to determine if you have a case is to call an attorney to immediately review the details of the incident.