Many of us were shaken in December when a Metro-North Railroad train derailed in the Bronx, killing four people and injuring dozens more. It served as a reminder that it doesn’t take much to turn a routine activity such as riding the train into something quite dangerous. As it is, many people suffer injuries as a result of riding mass transit — though not in the way most folks might expect.
The December accident has led agencies around the area to re-examine their safety protocol to make sure they do not experience something similar. NJ Transit, for example, is going to hire a consultant to evaluate its so-called safety culture at a cost of nearly $500,000. This is in spite of the fact that NJ Transit has a relatively low rate of passenger injuries.
All in all, most of the injuries that are reported to NJ Transit are the result of slip-and-fall accidents. Among these are accidents that take place on the platform, including passengers who stumble on their way into or out of a train. While many of these accidents do not appear to be very serious at first glance, slip-and-fall accidents can be very painful for those who suffer them.
There are many factors that go into what party might be considered liable for a trip-and-fall accident. That’s why it can be very important for people who have been injured in such accidents to consult with an experienced attorney. This could make the difference for people who are seeking compensation for their injuries.
Source: Press of Atlantic City, “NJ Transit approves $468,000 for safety review, including Atlantic City-Philadelphia line,” Donald Wittkowski, April 8, 2014