Mass transit offers a host of benefits. It reduces the environmental impact of people's individual commutes. That means less smog and less fossil fuel consumption. It reduces the number of personal vehicles that have to run on city streets, easing congestion and traffic. It also provides a way for people to interact on a daily basis.
Overall, mass transit is safe, and it is a great way for people to get from one place to another in a city. However, mass transit systems can also pose some degree of risk to the people who live in the city.
Accidents happen all the time involving city buses and subways. All too often, subway accidents can prove fatal. Family members may be able to pursue compensation for the financial impact of a loved one's death after such an accident under wrongful death statutes in New York.
Recent dragging deaths highlight potential subway risks
Given that they operate underground, require a lot of electricity and move at high speeds, there are many ways in which people could get hurt when traveling on the subway. They could fall from the platform and get hurt during the fall or electrocuted by touching the live rail.
It's also possible that they could get struck by a subway train or injured in the event that the train goes off the track or experiences some other disruption. Twice already since the beginning of 2019, individuals have been dragged to death by subways in New York City.
A man got dragged by a subway with fatal consequences in February, and a 21-year-old woman died in April as a result of a subway dragging. Their families may have the right to take legal action against the transit authority. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, your family may also have a similar right if you have lost someone recently to a subway incident.
Compensation can help your family move forward
The thing about an unexpected accidental death is that it can have a ripple effect on your family's stability. You will have the immediate losses associated with a death, including grief and family disruption.
There will be financial issues, such as the cost of the funeral and the loss of income from the deceased. There will be an additional strain, too, as your family struggles to cover the responsibilities of the member you have lost.
A lawsuit can't undo the damage caused by a fatal subway accident, but it can help your family move forward. Talking to an attorney who understands the very specific area of law related to injuries and deaths on mass transit systems can help you make an informed decision about your options.